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Keyboard does not appear

I’ve tried over and over again, but no matter HOW I open the file I cannot edit because I can’t get the keyboard to appear so, obviously, I can’t type or edit. I’m working on my iPad (I do not have this problem on my lapto, but I need to work on the iPad). I’ve tried opening the doc every way I can think of (through the Dropbox app on the iPad, and signing into my account online), but the keyboard will NOT appear.
I am not in the ‘read only’ format.

I can’t work out how to say’edit’ either, in case that would make the keyboard appear.

catherine

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Jay

Hi @QueenMaud19, thanks for bringing this to our attention.

What type of file are you trying to edit? Are you trying to edit the file directly in the Dropbox mobile app, or via another app?

This will help me to assist further!

QueenMaud19

Hi Jay,

I’m trying to edit the file directly in the mobile app.

Jay

What type of file are you trying to edit?

A screenshot showing how you're trying to do this would help greatly.

QueenMaud19

I am trying to edit a Microsoft word document. I go to the mobile Dropbox app, then I open the doc in Microsoft Word

QueenMaud19

Please answer my question and help me solve the problem! I don't know how to take a screenshot, so I can't provide one. I really need to work out how to edit on Dropbox (this problem only started next week).

HOW CAN I GET THE KEYBOARD TO POP UP??????

Catherine

Megan

Hi @QueenMaud19, sorry to jump in here!

Can you clarify the version of your OS, along with the Dropbox version that you have installed on your iPad?

Do you notice this behavior only with a particular file, or all of your Word content?

QueenMaud19

Thanks Megan,

This is happening with EVERY document I try to edit.

By the OS, I think you mean the Operating System of the laptop on which I generate the Word docs that I'm then trying to edit on the ipad (?). It's a HP laptop Windows 10. I'm sorry but I don't know what you mean by the version of Dropbox on my ipad. I just know that I installed the Dropbox app on my ipad (I have also tried signing into my Dropbox account on the internet, but the same thing happens--I can't edit because I can't make the keyboard appear),

Catherine

Megan

Hi Catherine, this sounds odd, so I'd love to have a visual of what you see on your end, please.

You can find instructions on how to take a screenshot here. Once you do that, you can click the camera-like icon when trying to respond back to us, and attach your screenshot.

If this doesn't work, please request the web version of our Community on your browser.

Lastly, as for the iPad's version, you should be able to find this when accessing your Account tab in our mobile app, and clicking the gear icon on the top right. If you scroll, that should give you the version of the Dropbox app there.

QueenMaud19

Hi,

I posted a question a week ago and didn't get any suggestions, so I'm STILL COMPLETELY STUCK and CAN'T EDIT.

Please, someone give me a response so I can start editing in Dropbox again (since there is no phone support)!

When I try to edit a doc, I can't, because the Keyboard does not appear. I am working on my ipad in the Dropbox app and I opened the doc in Word. I see that under 'file' at top right, it says 'read only'. If that's the problem, how do I change to 'edit' mode? (The words in the ribbon at the top are faint too)

This problem is affecting ALL my docs.

Thanks,

Kate

Megan

Hi @QueenMaud19, it sounds like you're referring to Word document permissions.

I'm not a specialist in this, and I have to suggest that you do some research or reach out to Microsoft about this, but you can search online for ways To Enable Editing in Word.

Try to go with these steps:

Select "File" from the top banner.
Click "Info."
Choose "Protect document."
Select "Enable editing."

QueenMaud19

Hi Megan,

i don’t think it’s a Microsoft problem. I never have this problem working in Word on my laptop. Microsoft no longer have phone support so I couldn’t find an answer there anyway.

I have it only in the DROPBOX app on my iPad.

you said’select FILE from top banner. But I can’t see the word FILE anywhere. When am I supposed to be able to see it?

EvanDBX

Hey @QueenMaud19, sorry for jumping in!

Can you clarify these for me:

Open your Apple Store and search for the Dropbox app, from there you should be able to see the version and update it if need be.
If the files you're trying to edit are yours or shared ones.
The issue you see, can you take a screenshot of it by following these steps?

Waiting for your reply!

QueenMaud19

Hi Evan,

I am the only person who has access to the file. I'm not sharing the file (which is 300 pages long, so cutting and pasting to resolve the problem is not an option) Screenshot for DROPBOX.PNG .

Here's a scsreenshot.

Thanks,

Kate

Megan

Hi @QueenMaud19, please keep in mind that while your files are stored with us in Dropbox, you need to use the relevant Office apps to open and edit them.

In this case, Microsoft Word. Therefore, if the keyboard isn't popping up after opening the file in Word, that wouldn't be an issue on our end.

Have you ensured that both Dropbox and Word are updated?

AngeliqueL

Hi Kate @QueenMaud19.,

I'm on the product design team at Dropbox, and I'm sorry to hear you're having trouble doing your work. I don't have an iPad but have tried to recreate the situation on my phone and my computer with my own personal account. A few things that might be helpful.

1) If you don't pay for Microsoft Word, the usage of the software might be limited. For example, I noticed that if I'm in edit mode on my .docx on my phone, I can't also edit it on my computer and was put into a read-only mode. Is it possible that you have this file opened in edit mode on another device?

2) Another thing I noticed is that on my phone (which would be similar to an iPad), I had to download Microsoft Word from the app store and sign in with my Dropbox account. I was prompted to do that when I tried to edit the doc from Dropbox. It's possible that you have the Word app but are signed in with another account? You could try logging out of Word and then going back to the file in Dropbox and try again to open in Word. Note that you can't edit Word docs directly in Dropbox, they will open in a Word application.

3) Does the file have a .doc or .docx extension? If not, you could add that and see if it makes a difference. If Microsoft isn't recognizing the document, it may just be giving you a preview but not allowing you to edit.

It's obvious that the keyboard isn't coming up because you aren't able to get into edit mode. I believe the previous replies are correct in that the issue seems to be with the Microsoft integration. If you're in edit mode in Word, you should either see a pencil to edit or the word editing at the top in your toolbar.

I hope one of those solutions works for you!

Angelique