Microsoft word and excel only opens online version, I want to open normal excel and word

[Southweststucco]

When I go to open any excel or work files from my computer it only gives me an option to open the *online* version, not the version that opens up into a new window. I paid for all the software of microsoft, not sure why this happeneed, I am sure it is a quick fix but I have no idea what to do. 

I cant do anything until i fix this!

HELP! ASAP!

[hollymchargue]

Jay,

Thanks for getting back to me. I'll try to answer your questions accurately. Forgive my non-technical knowledge. 🙂

This happens when I click on a link that's copied from a shared Dropbox folder. In fact, I'm the owner of one of the folders and have edit access on the others. As recently as last week, I was able to click on that link which opened the file preview in Dropbox, and had the option to click the Open/down arrow button, which opened up a dropdown menu that allowed me to "Open in Word" for example - depending on file type.  

More recently, when I followed that process, I only get the Open button and when I click that, it prompts me to use Microsoft Online (for Word files).  I have the option (...) to download the file. When I do that, it saves to my Downloads folder so then I have to save as to the original Dropbox shared folder. (See screenshot below)

I'm accessing these files on a Macbook where the files are also located and the Dropbox app is installed. I believe the application is installed and running properly. Is there a way to double check that? 

The files are synced locally. I am able to navigate to those folders on my computer and double click to open the files. 

I'm using my business account to access these files. 

[Jay]

Thanks for the details, Holly. What browser are you using to access the Dropbox site, Safari, Chrome, Firefox?

If it’s Safari, and you’re not seeing all the options there, try enabling the Flash plugin by first downloading it from Adobe’s site, and then enabling it in the Safari preferences page as per here. You’ll need to quit and reopen Safari completely to see the changes.

If you’re using Chrome, or have any issues with this, let me know!

[hollymchargue]

Using Chrome. 

[Jay]

Could you try the steps in the following Google article for Chrome?

[hollymchargue]

Thank you for the article! I read something about Flash settings in another thread yesterday so I checked those settings on my own, but it was good to have the article to make sure I did it correctly. 

Looks like Flash is allowed:

[Jay]

Good, if flash is working, then it’s possible that a proxy, antivirus application, firewall, or other application is using or blocking ports required for the "Open" button to work correctly.

For information about the system requirements and specific ports, please review the following articl....

[hollymchargue]

Thank you! I don't know how to check the ports, so I'll pass that on to our IT support team. Meanwhile, I'll download the latest version of Dropbox, too. 

Thank you. 

[hollymchargue]

I'm not sure which did it, but I downloaded Dropbox again and relaunched Chrome with the latest version. I now have the Open/arrow button! It's a thing of beauty...

[Jay]

Lovely to see it back! Great high res screenshot too!

[Southweststucco]

I uninstalled then reinstalled dropbox and google chrome, now it works!

Thanks