Decryption fails running iOS 14.2

[JohnK2]

Just updated iPhone and iPad to iOS 14.2. Now, trying to open an encrypted file, it tell me "Decryption Failed. Null" If I open with Excel, it works fine. Anyone else having this issue?

[stuehrenberg]

After the last IOS Update I have problems opening Word documentes that are secured with a password. No problem on Macbook but on Iphone and Ipad. 

The opening procedure starts but after typing the password and OK it sais:

"Descryption failed (null)"

Any ideas how to solve this?

Thank you very much, Kai

[brucedstout]

I diiscovered the work around to this.  After entering your password and getting the "Decryption failed (null)" message you will see a square with a line drawn from the upper right corner to the center of the square.  Tap that square icon, select "Microsoft Word" (I assume if you are attempting to open another type of file that application name will be listed).  Re-enter the password and the file opens.

[pathfinder400]

Kai

In absence of any proposed fix by Microsoft or Dropbox, the best solution appears to be to open the file with your editor.

So far only way I have found around the problem.

Steve

[Worcesterman]

If you have MsOffice great. Otherwise access the files from a different platform convert to pdf and save alongside the original. You should be able to open the pdfs but of course there is not much that you can do with them.

[Jonathan F.3]

I have the same issue with a password-protected Word file. Will Apple fix this, or is it something that Dropbox can fix?

[Jonathan F.3]

There was a response from someone at Dropbox at the beginning of this thread, but no indication if they will fix the problem or expect Apple to do so.

[JohnK2]

Jonathan, might I suggest you read the whole thread!

[Krwzn]

14.3 iOS didn’t solve the problem either.

[Nealwald]

Please take the time to look at this entire thread. This is an iOS 14 (14.3 and below) issue not related to Dropbox. It impacts all MS office password protected files. It appears Apple has no reason to fix this. If you read the full thread you will find simple workaround to open protected files. The simplest solution is to open the file in the appropriate MS app or the iOS ms office app. Either will open your file.

[Jonathan F.3]

Thanks. I figured out that workaround as well, but it's not particularly convenient. One would hope that Dropbox would eventually fix the problem, since there are probably thousands of people who have encountered it and they're not all likely to run across this dialogue.