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Excel crashes when opening a file from Dropbox but not from Desktop.

Hello.

This just started occurring yesterday for one of my machines. I have files stored on Dropbox sync'd through filer explorer. When I open the file from dropbox (file explorer), excel quits responding. When I open the same file from my Desktop, Excel works as normal.

Dropbox is listed as a connected service in Excel and there have been no issues before yesterday. I have updated office and performed a repair without luck.

Any thoughts?

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Comments

Walter

Hey @MODS - thanks for bringing this to our attention.

Can you please clarify your computer's OS version and the version of the Dropbox desktop app as shown in your system tray?

Does the issue persist after quitting the Dropbox desktop app?

Let us know more and we'll take it from there.

MODS

Hello.

I am using Windows 11 Professional Edition (Build 22631) (64-bit) (Release ID 23H2) DropBox version is 220.4.4126

Walter

And does the issue occur when the Dropbox app is completely closed too or not @MODS?

Is it affecting all of your Excel files or just a particular one?

MODS

When I quit the dropBox app, there are no issues with the file. It only occurs when the dropbox app is running

MODS

Also occurs on all Excel documents stored on dropbox accessed through file explorer or the web app

MODS

I have further determined that a file saved as an Excel worksheet locks up Excel, but the same file saved as 97-2003 excel document works just fine.

Nancy

Hi from me as well, @MODS! To clarify, this is only happening with Microsoft Excel, correct? You’re not having similar issues when using Microsoft Word, right?

It may seem trivial, but have you also restarted your computer?

Finally, since there has been a new app version released, please make sure that your Dropbox app has been updated in the meantime and let me know if the issue persists.

Alan C

As of the last week or so, this is also occurring to me. Excel hangs when I try to open an excel document from Dropbox.

Here are a few scenarios that I tested:

If the Dropbox app is running and I try to open an excel document for a cloud synced file, Excel hangs when it opens the document and must be force quit.
If the Dropbox app is running and I try to open an excel document in Dropbox that is LOCALLY SYNCED (I have opened it previously on the computer not using excel), Excel hangs and must be force quit.
If the Dropbox app is NOT running and I open a locally synced Excel document in my Dropbox directory, it opens successfully.

PDFs, Word, and other applications open fine. Windows 11 Pro, 10.0.26100 Build 26100. I have rebooted several times and updated all my software. My Dropbox version is 222.4.5042.

The commonality is that if the Dropbox app is opened, I cannot open an excel document within my Dropbox, regardless of whether it is locally or cloud synced.

The workaround I'm using right now is to copy the excel document out of Dropbox, open it, do my edits, then copy it back in, which kind of defeats the purpose of Dropbox so this needs to be fixed soon.

Jay

Hi @Alan C, thanks for the info. In order to look into this matter in more detail, I'd recommend contacting the support team directly for them to investigate further.

aruncav

I am also having the same problem as these users. Excel freezes (either on opening screen or immediately after the file has successfully opened), only if the file is in my Dropbox folder/account and Dropbox app is running

Dropbox version: 222.4.5042
Windows 11 Pro: 10.0.22631 Build 22631

Hannah

Hey @aruncav, sorry to hear that.

If you move a file that's giving you this issue outside of your Dropbox folder, as a test, does the issue persist when trying to open it outside the Dropbox folder?

emmlev

Did you find any solution to that? Same problem occurs to me too. Only excel, only when trying to open the file through the dropbox folder.

Hannah

Hey @emmlev, really sorry to hear that.

Can you let me know if you've tried any of the troubleshooting steps in this thread?

If you quit the Dropbox application on your computer, does the issue persist?

RHC

I have having the same problem. Did any of you solve it?

Megan

Hey @RHC, thanks for posting here today!

Would you be able to share some additional info with me?

When did you first notice this behavior? Do you use our Dropbox desktop app, or mobile app?

I'd love to know any troubleshooting steps you've tried so far, in order for us to be aligned.

Thanks a bunch!

VoltexBen

Hi,

I also had the same issue. I am running Windows 11 Pro 24H2 (Build 26100.4349). Dropbox client is version 226.4.5094.

In trying the troubleshooting steps outlined by Alan C, I noticed when the dropbox app is running, excel opens the file from "wopi.dropbox.com". When the app is not running, excel opens the file from local storage as usual.

This eventually led me to the dropbox co-authoring feature.
Following the steps from the below linked forum thread, "File->Account->Connected Services", click the "remove" button next to "Dropbox for Teams".
This seems to have fixed the issue.
Forum thread: https://www.dropboxforum.com/discussions/101001017/how-can-i-disable-the-microsoft-co-authoring-feature-from-office-365/812944

-Ben

Megan

Hey again @RHC!

Quick check-in to see if you caught my last reply. Do you need more help?

If yes, then I'm happy to assist. If everything is sorted, we'd love to hear what fixed it.