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Can't edit Microsoft files on iPhone (iOS 18)

I can no longer (just since a few days) edit any files from Microsoft (.xlsx, .docx or .pptx) on my iPhone (14 with iOS18). I can only read them. I do subscribe on Microsoft 365 and I have always been able to open and edit Microsoft files from my phone.

It works fine on PC. Also If I copy the file from Dropbox to OneDrive (on the PC), everything works fine even from the phone when opened from OneDrive.

When clicking on the file in Dropbox asking for example to open in Excel, I get the answer that the file is stored on a Server which is not supported

Please Help

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JanWig

Microsoft solved the problem for me. I had to remove the Microsoft365 app (keeping the Word,Excel and PPT apps) then it worked

All comments

JanWig

When I click on the file open with excel, my phone opens OneDrive. Why can’t it go directly to my excel app and open? Is there a setting that may resolve my whole issue?

Walter

Hi there @JanWig - sorry to hear you're having issues with this.

Can you please let us know the version of the Dropbox app and the Microsoft Excel app on your iPhone?

If you could also send us a screenshot of the exact error you're getting, I'd appreciate it.

Cheers!

JanWig

I have Dropbox app version 406.2.2 and excel app 2.92.24121313

The error message states that the file is stored on a non supported server.

How do I add a screenshot in this chat?

JanWig

Found it:

sorry for the Swedish

Jay

Hi @JanWig, If you're not on a Dropbox Basic plan with more than 3 devices connected, could you try uninstalling the app, rebooting the device, and re-installing it to see if this helps?

JanWig

Thanks.

I am on the Dropbox Basic plan (the free version), but have less than three devices connected. Do you want me to uninstall the app, reboot and re-install anyway? Please confirm

I assume no files will get lost if uninstall the app by using the "delete app" commando on my iPhone, or do I need to make a back-up of the files? Please confirm

The problem has appeared recent week

Jay

Yes, if you have less than 3 devices linked, please follow the steps I provided. No files on your Dropbox account will be affected.

Bear in mind that any offline copies of your files in the Dropbox mobile app will need to be marked as offline again when you reinstall the app.

JanWig

I have now uninstalled, rebooted my phone and reinstalled Dropbox.

Unfortunately no change. The .xlsx files can be opened but not for editing. No links in the excelfile is working. .docx files and .pptx files same thing. Can be opened and viewed but not edited. Same error and same error messages.

After copying the files into OneDrive (on my PC) I can open and edit from there.

On the PC everything works fine from Dropbox, I.e. I can open and edit.

Jay

If the Dropbox app is automatically opening the OneDrive app, then you'll need to remove that default opening setting from within the iOS system, as this appears to be a setting created by that app.

JanWig

Hm….So this is new then either a change by Dropbox or by Microsoft, since it has been working fine for several years now.

Which app do you mean when you state: “…you’ll need to remove that default setting from within the iOSsystem as this appears to be created by that app”

I do not understand what the difference is when opening the same file from OneDrive vs Dropbox. It works fine to open from One drive but not from Dropbox. For both occasions it always starts by opening the OneDrive app.

I talked to Microsoft a day ago and they said that whenever one opens a Microsoft (365) file (xlsx, docx pptx etc) it always starts by opening OneDrive. I can definitely confirm this. This then means, as I interpret, that this is rather linked to Dropbox rather than iOS.

What you now are saying is that I should talk to Apple, since you mean this is an iOS setting. I doubt this, I must say, but I will contact Applesupport and ask them. I cannot see how they are involved here though, but I am not an expert.

The most likely solution for me is to give up Dropbox and work from OneDrive.

Megan

Hey @JanWig, let me jump in here too!

I believe my colleague, @Jay was talking about OneDrive. Specifically changing any setting that might prevent files from opening directly through Dropbox.

However, I'd like for us to try one more thing, if you don't mind: if you temporarily remove OneDrive from your iPhone, and try to open the same Excel files through Dropbox, do you get the same results? If you could try this, that'd be ideal, if not let me know.

This will help us get a better idea as to what might be causing this error, and if the third-party app is playing a part in this.

JanWig

Hey Megan

I understand that this would be a good trial for troubleshooting, but that is a quite big "operation", that I hesitate to do, since OneDrive is working flawless and a major feature in my phone.

Especially since I have not done any changes, and this just suddenly stopped working.

However, I sent an .xlsx file (that can not be edited in my phone) to my wife's older iPAD and stored the file in her Dropbox.

That iPAD does not have OneDrive but Excel version 2.77 and iOS15.8.3. I can open and edit the xlsx.file. The Dropbox version was just updated (but remember it is an old iOS version).

I also tried to share to her new iPAD (that has OneDrive), but not Dropbox. It works (she can open and edit from OneDrive) when I share a file directly from my Dropbox to her OneDrive (Microsoft365).

I suggest that the problem is a bug on the Dropboxside that messes up the Dropbox Microsoft-file when communicating (being opened) with OneDrive. I do not know how to change setting to avoid using OneDrive when opening a Microsoft file. Maybe you know? As I said above Microsoft said that it always uses OneDrive to open a file, if One Drive is there. I do use the OneDrive cloud.

Whether this bug is on your end or on Microsoft end I am not the expert to conclude. I suggest, though, that Apple (iOS), as was suggested by your collegue is not really involved, but of course I am a complete amateur.

Please advice

Megan

Hey @JanWig, thanks for testing this!

Just to make sure we're on the same page here, and that I've gathered all the necessary info: Is the example file located to Dropbox? It sounds like you access your Dropbox app on your iPhone, locate a Microsoft file and try to open it using the respective app.

When that happens you get the error message, right? If not, feel free to correct me. I just need to make sure because you also mentioned that you open the files using OneDrive. Are they located there too?

If you open Excel, and try to locate a Dropbox file in order to open it, does it work?

JanWig

Dear Megan

You are right.

My problem is: On my iPhone I cannot open and edit Microsoft files that are stored in Dropbox . My phone also have the apps OneDrive and Microsoft365

During trouble shooting I have tried several things (apart from reinstalling Dropbox)

I copied (using my PC) some Microsoft files from Dropbox and stored them in: 1. My OneDrive 2. My wife's Dropbox.

Results:

On my phone: 1. The files work fine when I open (clicked) directly from OneDrive (when it is stored in OneDrive) => Nothing wrong with the files. 2. The files work fine when I open them from the Excel app (files stored in Dropbox). 3. I cannot open and edit the files when I open them directly from Dropbox (files stored in Dropbox). This is when I get the error message that the storage location is not supported (see screenshots above)

On my wife's iPAD (that does not have OneDrive installed, but Microsoft365): The files work fine when I open (click) directly from Dropbox (files stored in Dropbox).

Conclusion: The OneDrive app causes the problem. Microsoft told me that if I have OneDrive installed any Microsoft file will be opened via OneDrive regardless where the files are stored. Thus my conclusion is that there is a bug in the communication between Dropbox and OneDrive ( or a setting somewhere that can be adjusted). Let me know your thoughts!

Hannah

Hey @JanWig, I hope it's okay for me to jump in here as well.

I'm afraid that if the files need to open through OneDrive, there's no way to adjust things through Dropbox, in order for you to edit them.

OneDrive is a third party app that cannot be linked with Dropbox.

If there's a way for your Microsoft files in Dropbox to open with their respective Office apps and not with OneDrive, this should work, but not with the current situation.

I hope this clarifies things and if you have any more questions, feel free to let us know.

holydrug

Hello, I had same problem.
Try to edit pptx from app Files, then mode changed from view to edit too.

JanWig

Microsoft solved the problem for me. I had to remove the Microsoft365 app (keeping the Word,Excel and PPT apps) then it worked