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Forum Discussion

stlcoplxa39's avatar
stlcoplxa39
Explorer | Level 3
2 years ago

Can I use Dropbox with Office 365?

I recently discovered Microsoft came out with a singular app, so I can delete my Word and Excel apps off of my phone. However, when I open an excel document in Dropbox, then click on the edit button, it asks me to install the excel app. Is there movement to connect Dropbox with office 365, so that Dropbox knows excel documents can be edited by that app instead of excel?

  • Jay's avatar
    Jay
    2 years ago

    Hi stlcoplxa39, in order to edit Office files, you would need the separate official apps to be installed on your mobile device, since the editing can't be done inside the Dropbox mobile app, and it might not detect the 365 app itself.

  • Megan's avatar
    Megan
    Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff

    Hi stlcoplxa39, let's jump right into this! 

     

    What you can do, in order for you to be able to use your Dropbox files, with Office 365, is link your Dropbox account and open the file directly from the Office app. 

     

    You'd need to tap the folder icon inside the Office app in the top right and 'add storage account'. Have you tried that?

     

    Another alternative is to open files directly from the Files app in Office.

     

    Let me know how that works out for you!

    • stlcoplxa39's avatar
      stlcoplxa39
      Explorer | Level 3

      Thanks for the fast response, Megan!

       

      To clarify, I already have Dropbox linked, so that, when I'm using Office 365 app, I can open files stored on Dropbox. That's of no issue. My question is about, when using Dropbox, there's a button on the bottom of the screen (a square with an arrow pointing northeast) that allows you to edit the file, normally by opening Excel or Word. Without having Excel or Word installed (since 365 can handle all Office file types), is there a way to use the edit button within Dropbox to automatically open 365 to edit it like I would have and have done with Excel and Word in the past? Worst case scenario, I'd just reinstall Word and Excel, but wanted to see if this functionality exists.

      Yes, I can open files in 365, but some files are deep in the directories, so I have to go through quite a few screens to get to the file. It would be far easier to have that Dropbox button work to open the file in 365.

      • Jay's avatar
        Jay
        Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff

        Hi stlcoplxa39, in order to edit Office files, you would need the separate official apps to be installed on your mobile device, since the editing can't be done inside the Dropbox mobile app, and it might not detect the 365 app itself.

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