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pafreeman's avatar
pafreeman
Helpful | Level 5
3 years ago

Downloaded files are in read-only format

I'm certain it's probably a simple setting I have incorrect, but when I download files, they are consistently in read-only format and I cannot turn on editing; in order to edit the file, I have to sa...
Desktop
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  • pafreeman's avatar
    pafreeman
    3 years ago

    Thank-you for trying to help.  Just plain ole Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel--no restrictions on the Microsoft applications at all.  Microsoft has offered no solution.  I'm okay with just living with it--just means an extra step, i.e. download, save the file, open and then edit.  No big deal 🙂

Jay's avatar
Jay
Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
3 years ago

Hi pafreeman, thanks for bringing this to our attention.

 

What type of file are you downloading? 

 

Is this a restriction in the program you're opening itself, or is it a mention from Dropbox?

 

Any other info or screenshots would be helpful!

  • pafreeman's avatar
    pafreeman
    Helpful | Level 5
    3 years ago

    Hi Jay!

    Thank-you SO much for endeavoring to resolve my little challenge.  The files are either EXCEL or WORD--absolutely nothing special.  If it helps, when I save files from either application without passing through Dropbox onto my hard-drive, no issue--it's just when I upload into Dropbox and then subsequently download.  Pretty queer, not a problem, just an extra step when I need to edit the file(s).

    Best regards,

    Patricia

    • Jay's avatar
      Jay
      Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
      3 years ago

      Is this a message in a yellow bar that appears in Word or Excel?

       

      If so, this might be the normal security warning that Microsoft shows when you open a downloaded file from the web, for your own security.

      • pafreeman's avatar
        pafreeman
        Helpful | Level 5
        3 years ago

        Hmmm.  Yes, says "PROTECTED VIEW--Be careful files from the internet can contain viruses ....and there's a button "Enable Editing" which I select but I still cannot edit, i.e. I have to save the file and then open it before I can edit.   

  • pafreeman's avatar
    pafreeman
    Helpful | Level 5
    3 years ago

    Thank-you for trying to help.  Just plain ole Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel--no restrictions on the Microsoft applications at all.  Microsoft has offered no solution.  I'm okay with just living with it--just means an extra step, i.e. download, save the file, open and then edit.  No big deal 🙂

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