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Forum Discussion
can't save files from Office365-app to Dropbox - supposedly write protected
Hello there! Starting yesterday all of a sudden I can't save files to my Dropbox via the Office 365-app anymore. I get a message telling me that the file is write protected, which it isn't. It tel...
I agree but so far they've been of no help.
I have a smartphone and a tablet with the dropbox android app. In addition, a laptop with Windows and dropbox. I use microsoft 365 to create and edit files. I am the only person editing the files. I have been able to do this for a long time without any problems. When I had changed a text and closed the app, I could continue with the changed text on another device. Now I'm getting warnings that the file is a read only file and I need to save a copy first. No matter what I try, this doesn't work. How do I set up the three apps so that I can automatically continue with the changed text on another device?
- Walter
Dropbox Staff
Hi there, Willem3, how are you today?
Can you clarify your device's OS version and the version of the Dropbox mobile app installed there as well?
Also, how are you editing the file in the first place?
Does that happen with all of your files, or a specific file type? Can you also send me a few screenshots of the steps you follow, and the error you receive on your end, in order for me to have a clear visual?
Keep us posted, and we'll take it from there!
Hi Walter,
Thank you for your response. I think I have solved the problem in the
meantime. There were two causes. First, I had installed only Word from
Microsoft 365. It seems that you have to install the whole office pack. The
second problem seems to be a speed problem and shutdown problem. When I
move too fast from one device to another or when I have not closed a
device properly I get the warning that a file is a read only file. The
only way to solve this problem is to copy the written text, delete the file
completely and create a new file with the same name.Hi Walter,
I was too fast. The problem is not resolved. I get the same warning again that the file is a only read file because there is somebody else working on the file and that I can make a copy or neglect the problem. Like I mentioned before this doesn't resolve the problem.
When I open the dropbox app I get the warning that there is a file which asks for my attention. When I open it I can see that the file is at: link removed. Maybe the problem started when I updated the dropbox app at Google play where I can can only download the app 'Dropbox: Documenten in Drive'.
- Megan
Hi Willem3, I'd like a couple of screenshots, if possible.
Can you send me one of the error messages you get, when you try to edit your content, and another one of the warning you get when you open your Dropbox app, please?
Also, you mentioned that you downloaded "Dropbox: Documenten in Drive", can you send me a screenshot of the app that you have installed too?
Hello Megan,
Thanks for your reaction.
It looks like the problem is resolved. I think it was caused by the fact that I was working with an old word app. Installing Office 365 on my tablet seems to have resolved the problem.
This has not completely resolved all the problems. These occur when Dropbox is slow and I am too fast. I have never had this problem in the past. I think Dropbox's policy for the speed of free accounts has changed.
I got them yesterday but not today. So, I have my doubts if everything is resolved.
Willem
- I still cannot create a document on my s20 ultra note using the word app and save it to Dropbox without it resulting in a read only document. When I save/create a copy per instructions, it also results in a read only doc. The only way to get a working new doc into Dropbox with the word app is to create a new doc and save it to device docs and then share it with Dropbox. This is an impossible situation which no one is doing anything about, though other people have reported the same problem per this thread and others.
- No response except uninstall app, etc. Then dead silence. Doesn't seem like they care, or they just want you to switch to one drive which works perfectly. No problem with it.
