Editing Word document on Android mobile

[Researchboy]

I am able to edit Excel files stored in Dropbox; however, Word documents say Read Only and state I need to say a copy of my original file to be able to edit it.  I can't see anything different in the signin information or app settings within Word and Excel.  Is this a known issue or do you have a suggestion in trouble shooting this issue?

[Jay]

Hi @Researchboy, thanks for posting today!

Are you trying to edit the doc on the Word Online app directly when opening it via the Dropbox mobile app?

Are you a member of a Dropbox Business team, or are you opening the files while on a personal account?

Could you try clearing the cache in the Word app to see if this helps?

Keep me updated with any progress!

[Researchboy]

Hi, Jay.

I am trying to edit a Word document using the Android Word App on my Samsung S10+.  I have also tried to edit using the Office app on my Samsung.  I have a Personal Microsoft.com OneDrive account.  I am not a member of a Dropbox Buisness Team.

I wasn't able to clear the cache in the Word app.  I don't see an option to do this on the Adroid phone Word app.

Like I mentioned prevoiusly, I can open and edit an Excel file using the Excel app on my phone.  Same login using my Personal account.  Strange.

[Jay]

Do you have an option like this in your version of Word?

[Researchboy]

I tried to reset in Word app.  When I open a Word doc from Dropbox, it asks to open with Word or Office.  I tired both.  Both open the Word file but greys out the Edit pen icon.  Neither will allow me to edit the file.

[Jay]

Could you forward screenshots showing what you're experiencing?

Are the Word documents in a shared folder, or anywhere on your account? 

[Researchboy]

The Word docs are in my Dropbox.  Here are screen shots.

Selected file in my Dropbox and then tapped the edit button at the bottom.Selected to edit using WordOpens up docx in Word and Read Only.

[Jay]

Is this behavior for any Word document on your account?

Are the documents actually read-only when viewed in the desktop version by right clicking the file and then Properties?

Are they files downloaded from the internet, prior to uploading to Dropbox, as Microsoft does prevent edits on those types of files.

Can you try creating a brand new text document, upload it to Dropbox or move it into the Dropbox folder, and see if you get the same error?

[Researchboy]

Hi, Jay.

I ended up creating all new Word documents to replace the ones I had in Dropbox.

I am not sure what was the issue with the original files, but the new ones can all be edited now.

[Jay · Accepted solution]

Thanks for the update, @Researchboy, if you experience this issue again, please let me know.

Enjoy your week!