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How can I share a simple Word file with read only access?
I'm struggling to do something that should be very simple. I have a Word doc that I want to be able to share with people. I don't want them to be able to edit MY copy, but I want them to have their O...
If you share a file with edit access, this means that everyone will be able to edit the same file at the same time, and would edit your copy each time. They would also need a Dropbox account in order to edit the file via the Dropbox site, using the Microsoft Word app.
With a read-only shared link, they can only view or download the file to their machines, and then they'll have to edit it using their local copy of Word on their computer or phone.
You can also force the shared link to download automatically when they click it by changing the dl=0 at the end of the link to dl=1.
I did try that for a test and I was able to open the file, but I was not able to type info in it. How A lot of my clients are not very tech savvy. I'm not sure if they would know how to download it to their computer and edit it. I don't know if Word files are able to be edited from a phone? Seems like I'd have to send them some instructions or diagrams on how to retrieve the file or something?
Jay
Dropbox Community Moderator
Dropbox Community ModeratorIf you share a file with edit access, this means that everyone will be able to edit the same file at the same time, and would edit your copy each time. They would also need a Dropbox account in order to edit the file via the Dropbox site, using the Microsoft Word app.
With a read-only shared link, they can only view or download the file to their machines, and then they'll have to edit it using their local copy of Word on their computer or phone.
You can also force the shared link to download automatically when they click it by changing the dl=0 at the end of the link to dl=1.
