Environment
U-M Dropbox, Microsoft 365
Issue
I would like to collaboratively edit Microsoft 365 files that are stored in U-M Dropbox.
Resolution
Refer to the Dropbox Help Center to learn more about how to collaboratively edit Microsoft 365 files that are stored in Dropbox.
The article includes information on:
- How to edit shared Microsoft 365 files
- Restrictions with collaborative editing (known as "co-authoring" to Dropbox) of Microsoft 365 files
- How to create new Microsoft 365 files (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint only)
Important things to note:
- You must log in to Microsoft 365 with your Level-1 (@umich.edu) U-M Microsoft 365 account to access this feature.
- People who are part of Michigan Medicine should log into Microsoft 365 using their Level-1 accounts, as logging into Microsoft 365 with their Level-2 accounts will not allow them to open Microsoft files online.
- It is not recommended to simultaneously collaborate on a Microsoft file (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) locally through Dropbox because it can create conflicting copies. It won't let the second collaborator edit the file. It instead places an oddly named file somewhere on their system.
- At the top of the page, you can view your name and the names of other collaborators who have the same file open.
- Changes you make will be saved automatically to your Dropbox.
- The co-authoring/collaborative editing feature will only work if the person you'd like to collaborate with is a member of the shared folder in which the Microsoft file is stored.
- You and your collaborators who are working on the Microsoft file should refrain from downloading the file and editing it using the local Microsoft 365 app, as re-uploading the file will break the ability to edit the file using Microsoft 365 Online. You may encounter an error stating: "Sorry, this document can't be opened for editing."
- This issue can be corrected by reverting the file to a previous version before the file was re-uploaded.
Additional Information
For users who are missing the Open in button, Dropbox has a troubleshooting article that describes the issue.
Need additional information or assistance? Contact the ITS Service Center.