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I'm no longer able to edit documents in Word/Excel on iOS
I’m using a basic account on an iPad mini and have had no problems over the years opening and editing documents in word and excel. I recently switched to the newest model (7 with iOS 18.3.2), updated Dropbox, word and excel, restarted the tablet and am continuously being asked to activate Microsoft 365 to edit documents. I’ve tried just entering my Hotmail info which has worked in the past but it says subscription not found. My Dropbox account is showing in word on the left hand side as an other storage option and I can view and open all of my documents but can’t edit them. How can I fix this?
21 Replies
- Jay
Dropbox Staff
Hi AmyJo1683, thanks for bringing this to our attention.
If you're not on a Dropbox Basic plan with more than 3 devices connected, could you try uninstalling the app (as well as the Office apps), rebooting the device, and re-installing it to see if this helps?
Keep me updated with any progress!
Thanks for the suggestion but there was no change. When I first attempted it, I got a pop up box about 365 needing to access my personal info or something so I clicked next then it opened my document but the same banner is at the top saying I can’t edit without the subscription. I re-linked my Dropbox account, restarted and still get the same message.
- Jay
Are you attempting to edit files via the Dropbox mobile app, or directly from the Office app?
Sure. Everything is grayed out in the document so I can’t do anything but read it. I can click to start a trial and then try logging in with a Gmail or a Hotmail account to bypass signing up but that’s not working.
- Jay
Do you have multiple Dropbox accounts? Are you currently on a personal plan or a Dropbox team plan?
I have one account and am on a personal plan
No, it’s not. It’s an iPad mini, about 5x7.5”
- Nancy
Thanks for clarifying. If you open a Word/Excel file that’s saved locally on your iPad, do you still get the same error message when you open it with the Microsoft app?
If you don’t have any Microsoft files saved locally at the moment, you can try saving one to your device from your Dropbox account.
I had to save on to my iPad, but yes, I get the same error message.
Can you clarify what you mean by “extra” license? I don’t have any license or subscription to Microsoft. The only time I use word or excel is when I go from my documents saved in my Dropbox app and edit them in Microsoft. I had no issues doing this until I got a new device.
- Megan
Hey AmyJo1683, let me also jump in here!
I'd like for us to try one more thing, if you don't mind. Is the Microsoft 365 app installed on your device? If so, can you temporarily remove it from your iPad, and try to open the same Excel/Word files through Dropbox?
Do you get the same results? If you could try this, that'd be ideal, if not let me know.
I have a word app and an excel app on my iPad but have never had a 365 app. Is that something different?
