MS Word template (dotx) files don't open any more

[DMcDonald]

In Dropbox, I've saved MS Word template (dotx) files. I used to be able to open/download these files in MS Word (using my desktop PC) to then save as a new docx file but no longer. Why? Please advise - thanks.

[Jay]

Hi @DMcDonald, thanks for bringing this to our attention.

Could you clarify why you believe this is related to Dropbox? If you move the file to a non-Dropbox folder, does it open?

This will help me to assist further!

[DMcDonald]

Thanks for the reply, Jay. I believe it's related to DB because I've been able to do this for months (actually I've been using DB this way for two years) yet this week it hasn't worked from DB. (Yesterday and again today, I've had to go into my "Recycle Bin" to find a couple of previously downloaded from DB dotx files and restore them to my desktop in order to use these templates to create new docx files.) I want to continue to access/use all my saved MS Word template (dotx) files from DB because those are the most current ones. Do you have any ideas why DB would stop working properly this week and how to fix? Please advise - thanks.

[Rich]

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@DMcDonald wrote:

Do you have any ideas why DB would stop working properly this week and how to fix?

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The confusing issue here is that Dropbox has nothing to do with creating documents from a Microsoft template. It's just a method of storage. You need to walk us through the exact process you're using and tell us where it's failing, including any errors that you're getting, so we'll better understand the problem.

[DMcDonald]

In Dropbox, I've saved MS Word/Excel files (i.e., using DB as a method of storage).

I used to be able to open them directly into MS Word/Excel (using my desktop PC). This option is no longer available to me this week.

This week the only options are:
1. Open in a new tab;
2. Word for the web [Excel for the web];
3. Google Docs [Google Sheets]; and,
4. Preview (Dropbox).

The options previously were:
1. Open in a new tab;
2. Word for the web [Excel for the web];
3. Google Docs [Google Sheets];
4. Word [Excel];
5. Preview (Dropbox); and,
6. File Explorer.

Why are there less options this week? Will these options return? Please advise - thanks.

[Jay]

Okay, so you're referring to opening files from the Dropbox website, which would then open the local app on your machine.

This article should help you to resolve this behavior, if you're not seeing those options now.

[DMcDonald · Accepted solution]

Good news: DB’s Open in Word/Excel option magically reappeared this morning. Thanks!