can't open excel files on iphone recently

[kfine9]

I used to be able to open my excel files in dropbox, on my iphone. I still can open them on my ipad. I've tried reinstalling dropbox on my iphone but that hasn't worked. When I try to open an excel file I get a white screen with the name of the file in grey and the data bytes number in grey and that's it.

[Jay]

Hi @kfine9, thanks for messaging the Community!

Are you trying to preview the Excel file directly in the Dropbox mobile app only?

Are you able to open it in the Excel 365 app instead, via the Dropbox mobile app?

This will help me to assist further!

[kfine9]

Thanks Jay,

I’m trying to open via the Dropbox Mobil app directly. I’ve been able to in the past. (And still can on my ipad.)

[Jay]

Could you attach a screenshot showing what you're seeing on your device?

[kfine9]

It looks like this:

[Jay · Accepted solution]

This file is only 896 bytes, which is far too small for any normal file, let alone an Excel file. 

Given that it also says this is an alias file, this is a shortcut file created on a Mac device. This means there is no data on this specific file, and the real file should be located elsewhere, either on your Dropbox account, or on your Mac.

[kfine9]

Well that makes TOTAL sense. (Except for the part about it opens fine on my ipad.) Thank you!