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Pdecort's avatar
Pdecort
New member | Level 2
10 months ago
Solved

I can preview offline files on my Android device, but I can't open them with Microsoft.

Hello,
I was on holiday and wanted to open a file I had successfully synced to be offline. However, when I tried to open the off-line file I received a message:

"you can view this file offline, but you'll need an internet connection to edit it. Check your connection and try again
OK"

However, it doesn't even let me 'view' the file.

Android v10
Galaxy Note9
App version: 414.2.2

I saw this discussion/Thread - but it didn't seem to have a resolution:
https://www.dropboxforum.com/discussions/101001012/offline-mode-not-working-on-android/756275
and the thread is closed - so I can't add my comments there.
Did you find a resolution to this issue?

  • Hey Pdecort! Apologies for any delays.

    I double checked this with our team in the meantime and they’ve also confirmed that this is expected. Offlining mostly allows files to be previewed on the Dropbox mobile app, but to edit a file by using the Microsoft app in this case, you’d need to be connected to the internet. This is to prevent the creation of conflicts and duplicates on Dropbox, as the app won’t be able to detect your updates.

    I’ve passed your feedback to our team though, so that they can also check your comments, in case this is something they’d consider changing in the future.

17 Replies

  • Hannah's avatar
    Hannah
    Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
    10 months ago

    Hey Pdecort, thanks for the additional info.

    I'm afraid password protected files cannot be previewed in Dropbox; you can see more info about this here.

    If you remove the password, are you able to preview it?

  • Pdecort's avatar
    Pdecort
    New member | Level 2
    10 months ago

    Hello, I cleared the 'Data' and 'cache' which removed the offline files.

    I added some back in - using the toggle method as described above. They all seem to be working as I'd expect 'offline' now - except the 'password protected' word document...

    It seems to have trouble with the 'preview' of the password protected file - and gives the message
    "Network Error - couldn't connect to Dropbox. Please check your internet connection and try again. 
    Open With..." button below.

    If I hit the 'Open With' button and choose Word - I get the message I initially reported ("You can view it offline but you'll need an internet connection to edit it. OK"

    From your comment earlier - I can 'Save to Device' (which is odd - as it's already saved to the device as it's downloaded offline) which saves it in the 'downloads' folder. I can then use a file-explorer type program (I prefer CX File Explorer on Android) to browse the file - which does open in Word.

    It seems to be a problem passing the password-protected file from Dropbox cache to Word. Hope that helps.

    I can't upload a photo with my post which is a shame.

  • Walter's avatar
    Walter
    Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
    10 months ago

    And is this affecting some specific Word and Excel files or all Pdecort?

    Have you tried reinstalling the app or clearing the app's cache since you first noticed this? 

  • Pdecort's avatar
    Pdecort
    New member | Level 2
    10 months ago

    Hello Walter - yes I have used those steps (Android) and - as I mentioned - I have the green tick indicating that it has successfully downloaded the file for offline use. 

    I only have DBox synced with one mobile device.

    I tried some other files - a PDF and picture - and they do open offline. The Excel and Word documents do not. Also, the word document is 'password' protected and opens in Word on my phone in order to type in the password and open it... even if I'm not intending to edit it.

  • Walter's avatar
    Walter
    Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
    10 months ago

    Can you also confirm that you're using these steps to offline your files Pdecort?

    In the meantime, you could try exporting the files to your device locally, if needed. 

  • Pdecort's avatar
    Pdecort
    New member | Level 2
    10 months ago

    Hello,

    Thanks for your prompt reply.
    I have the same issue with multiple offline files.
    When I have data/wifi I am able to sync the files successfully and get the green 'tick' indicating it has synced successfully.

    The problem is when I go 'offline' - i.e. turn my wifi/data off; or go somewhere without data reception - i.e. 'offline'. At that point I am no long able to open the files which are already downloaded for 'offline' use. Thanks.

  • Walter's avatar
    Walter
    Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
    10 months ago

    Hey Pdecort - sorry to hear you're having issues with this.

    Does it happen with only a particular file or all of your offline files? Did you try rebooting your device  and/or clearing the app's cache since you first noticed this?

    If you did and still get the same results, could you try another WiFi or cellular data? 

    Let me know more and we'll take it from there. 

     

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