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mhulse's avatar
mhulse
Helpful | Level 6
5 years ago
Solved

Microsoft Excel file extension .XLSB not syncing?

I have a large .xlsm file that I saved as an .xlsb (binary) file to reduce size by 90% and improve loading efficiency by 50% faster. I can see and launch this file without any issues, however, it does not appear when folder is accessed on other computers. Is there a setting somewhere within Dropbox to allow others to see and access this .xlsb file?

  • I found the solution. If I use the Desktop APP to store the file in the shared folder it is visible and accessible. It it when I am using my desktop computer directories to access/create/move, the file does not appear.

9 Replies

  • Hannah's avatar
    Hannah
    Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
    5 years ago
    Hey mhulse, thanks for posting!

    Is it possible that the name of this file contains any incompatible characters?

    If it does, removing the characters by renaming the file, will help sync it across your computers. 

    Let me know if you have more questions!
  • mhulse's avatar
    mhulse
    Helpful | Level 6
    5 years ago

    No. There are no incompatible characters. The same file name with .xlsx or .xlsm will show on other user computers. It's only the .xlsb file extension that the file does not show at all.

  • Jay's avatar
    Jay
    Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
    5 years ago
    Hi mhulse, what other devices are you using that you don't see the file on?

    Does this include the Dropbox mobile app? Can you see the file on the Dropbox site?
  • mhulse's avatar
    mhulse
    Helpful | Level 6
    5 years ago

    We are using Dropbox with Desktop and Web Apps, no mobile devices.

     

    After reviewing the Dropbox site, the Excel .xlsb file type does not show in the supported file types list. This may ultimately and unfortunately, be the answer to this challenge. I do not understand why this file type would be omitted.

     

    Again... I am able to access these files in any Dropbox shared folder I put them in, however, no other users can see them.

  • Jay's avatar
    Jay
    Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
    5 years ago
    The filetype isn't available for previewing on the site, however, it should still sync normally.

    Are the other users definitely in the same shared folder?

    What is the full filename of the file in question? Can the other users see the file in the shared folder on the site?
  • mhulse's avatar
    mhulse
    Helpful | Level 6
    5 years ago

    Filename is: WORK CENTER DISPATCH LISTS.xlsb

     

    ALL users have shared access to folder(s) in question.

     

    No other users can see the .xlsb file on the Dropbox site. They can see the same file with .xlsm extension, so I do not suspect the "name" to be an issue.

  • Jay's avatar
    Jay
    Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
    5 years ago
    The possibility is that they are not viewing the correct shared folder, or your file is not in a shared folder.

    Could you attach a screenshot showing its location on the Dropbox site from your account, while hiding any other personal details?
  • mhulse's avatar
    mhulse
    Helpful | Level 6
    5 years ago

    I found the solution. If I use the Desktop APP to store the file in the shared folder it is visible and accessible. It it when I am using my desktop computer directories to access/create/move, the file does not appear.

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