Forum Discussion

Samuelharvest's avatar
Samuelharvest
Helpful | Level 6
15 days ago

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's avatar
    Hannah
    Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox 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.

    • Samuelharvest's avatar
      Samuelharvest
      Helpful | 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 ago

      Im not quite sure how to proceed 

      • Nancy's avatar
        Nancy
        Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox 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?

  • Samuelharvest's avatar
    Samuelharvest
    Helpful | 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's avatar
      Jay
      Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox 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?

      • Samuelharvest's avatar
        Samuelharvest
        Helpful | 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

  • Samuelharvest's avatar
    Samuelharvest
    Helpful | 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 

  • Samuelharvest's avatar
    Samuelharvest
    Helpful | Level 6

    Interestingly I can still save a pdf to files on my device using this method 

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

  • Samuelharvest's avatar
    Samuelharvest
    Helpful | 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's avatar
      Nancy
      Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox 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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