Error that the file couldn't be opened when accessing Google sheets document online.

Welcome to our forum, @sendyjasmine!

Have you also tried to access your Google Sheets via another browser? If so, do you still see the same error message?

Also, do you have any Google Docs/Slides saved on your Dropbox account? Do they also give the same error?

Let me know.

Yes, I already tried it in different browser but still to no avail. I tried opening other Google sheets documents and some of them could be opened while others couldn't. It seems pretty random at the moment.

Thanks for updating me!

Are you having any issues at all when previewing these files on the web (right before you open them)?

Also, the files that you’re having this issue with, are they shared with another user or are they all personal files?

I'm having this problem right when I click the document -- it can't be loaded. And yes, they are shared with other members. I have several other documents as well that are shared but have no problems. Only some that has .gsheets extenstion.

Hi @sendyjasmine, are these files that have previously worked in the past, or new files that were recently created?

Were they created via the Dropbox site itself, or copied across from Google Sheets?

the file was last edited 2 months ago and it was created via Dropbox

Do the other users trying to access the file get the same error?

yes

How large is the document in general? If you duplicate the file, does the duplicate open?

not large at all, yes, it can't still be opened

There is a possibility that the Google sheet is somehow corrupted. Are you able to open it on the site using the Microsoft Excel feature, or by any other means?

Dina B

Hey team, I'm having this exact issue right now too. In chrome and safari. Last accessed this file in Jan and I don't think it's that large (a few sheets max). Can't see a preview.

Not sure if this is helpful - but I'm able to see a preview on android and ipad. Still can't open tho.

yes, when I opened via Ms Excel, it can be opened. But that means I have to change each file's extension with Ms Excel

Megan

Hi @Dina B & @sendyjasmine, could you take a look at your account's Connected Apps tab and under the Default Apps tab and let me know what options are shown there?

I have Ms Word, Excel, and Powerpoint

Walter

Hey @sendyjasmine, sorry to jump in, but could you try adding the GSuite integration to your account through the App Center and try again?

Let us know how it goes!

Thank you for the suggestion. Previously, my account was already connected ot GSuite but the error persisted. Then, the Dropbox Support Team recommended me to disconnect it first and then re-connect it but I can't seem to reconnect it again. The option to add/connect to GSuite seems to not appear (below).

Screen Shot 2023-02-28 at 14.20.47.png

Moreover, don't you think it's the problem with integrations between Google and Dropbox at the moment? I feel kinda lost since no solutions have worked so far for me.

Dina B

I've got three sections in my Apps tab:

Launch from Dropbox - Google is connected

View Dropbox content - Pixieset Photo Sharing (not sure what this is?), Adobe Acrobat Reader, and Microsoft Office Online

Default editing apps - Word document, Excel Workbook, PowerPoint Presentation

I haven't tried disconnecting and reconnecting Google.

@sendyjasmine, can you please try to reconnect GSuite by going here and selecting to create a new Google Sheet, for example? You should be then prompted to re-enable the integration.

@Dina B, can you also try to disconnect/reconnect the integration, and let me know if you see any difference?

Also, have you both enabled third-party cookies on your web browser?

Already tried it, but still, there's no prompt.

Hi @sendyjasmine, @Dina B, in the default apps section, do you get the option to switch to Google Docs/Sheets etc? If so, please switch to those versions and try opening the documents again.

Is the Google account associated with your profile a private account, or is it part of a Google Workspace (or business) account?

organizerpm123345

Hi. I've created several templates using Google Sheets that have been directly created in dropbox.com . When I try making copies/duplicates for some of the google sheets - the duplicated version won't open it says exactly this: File could not open. Try refreshing the page. I've tried making duplicates in the same folder, different folders, tried opening from safari and chrome, and the issue is still the same. I've tried making duplicates from both Dropbox web and dropbox finder. I didn't have this issue last week as I duplicated a budget where both files could open and be edited in but now making a duplicate won't open. Please please please help if anyones experienced the same thing and has a solution!

Hannah

Hey @organizerpm123345, thanks for bringing this to our attention.

Are you having this issue only with Google Sheets, or other G-Suite files as well, like Google Docs, etc.?

How about entirely different file types?

Can you please send us a screenshot of the error, so we can have a visual as well?

Thanks in advance.

organizerpm123345

Hi Hanna, this is how it looks like. I have no issues duplicating and opening google docs and google slides. The issue is only with google sheets. All the google sheets varies - some only have a bit of text in whilst others have formated cells with formulas

Screenshot 2023-03-10 at 10.50.13.png

Cory M

I am also having this same exact issue with one of my google sheet files in dropbox