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Forum Discussion
Samuelharvest
15 days agoHelpful | Level 6
Exporting an Excel file as PDF from the MS app, it shows as 0kb with a timestamp of 55 years ago.
I Walter,
2 years on, I have encountered a new problem.
Suddenly I cannot export an excel document as a pdf. It exports as zero mb with a time stamp of 55 years ago!
I tried to reload the app but this didn’t work. Tried to export to different locations and this didn’t work either
any ideas?
- Hannah
Dropbox Staff
Thanks for bringing this to our attention, Samuelharvest.
Can you send us a screenshot of this, so we can have a visual as well?
Can you also give us the steps you're following for this process?
Are you perhaps using these steps?
Let me know and we'll go from there.
- SamuelharvestHelpful | Level 6
Hello Hannah,
Thanks for getting back to me.
Unfortunately, I am unable to attach a screenshot to this reply. For some unknown reason.
Basically I go to export. Save as a pdf. Occasionally it saves with zero mb. If the file was open on my telephone or something like that. But generally it has worked for two years.
Then suddenly this new thing as described before. Zero me with a time stamp of 55 years agoIm not quite sure how to proceed
- Nancy
Dropbox Staff
Hey Samuelharvest. Are you able to attach your screenshot here by copy pasting it in your message box on the forum?
Besides that, what’s the actual size of the Excel file you’re trying to download as a PDF?
- SamuelharvestHelpful | Level 6
I don't seem to be able to attach or paste anywhere! Quite simply I have a small excel file of about 135kb. I try to export as a pdf and I see the pdf title. But zero content and a timestamp of 55 years ago!
I am signed into excel as a different user to Dropbox. Although this has never been an issue before. I tried to delete Dropbox and reload again. This didn't work
- Jay
Dropbox Staff
Hi Samuelharvest, could you describe the steps you're taking to export the file?
How are you exporting it as a PDF file?
Are you following these steps in this article to export the Excel file to your device first?
- SamuelharvestHelpful | Level 6
Hi,
I have followed the steps, more or less, on my iPad. I am able to save an excel document as a pdf into the files section on my device. I can then export it to Dropbox and it works.
I am still unable to export an excel document as a pdf to another folder within Dropbox. As described previously in the thread
- SamuelharvestHelpful | Level 6
I open the .xlsx file with Microsoft Excel when presented with the "open in" button
Once in the editing area (I presume excel) on my iPad I click the three horizontal dots top right corner. In the drop-down I select export and then pdf. I scroll through layout options and select next at the bottom. Then I can choose where in Dropbox to save the pdf file
- SamuelharvestHelpful | Level 6
Interestingly I can still save a pdf to files on my device using this method
- Jay
Dropbox Staff
It sounds like there could be an issue in the Excel app when exporting a file to a PDF and then saving it onto Dropbox.
Have you tried uninstalling and reinstalling the Excel app, or contacting Microsoft support regarding this matter?
- SamuelharvestHelpful | Level 6
I have uninstalled and reinstalled excel app. And Dropbox app. No change
microsoft subscription is good and everything checked from that perspective
this problem is within the Dropbox complex (as it appears to me)
what can I try next?
- Nancy
Dropbox Staff
I’ll also have to agree with Jay, Samuelharvest, as this sounds indeed like an issue with the Excel app on your iPad.
If you export your file from the Excel app to your local device as a PDF, can you see the correct size then?
What happens if you upload it to Dropbox after that? Are the size and timestamp still correct?
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