Dropbox: Open Files in the Desktop Microsoft 365 Apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

This article explains how to open Microsoft files stored in U-M Dropbox locally in the desktop Microsoft 365 Office productivity apps.

Environment

U-M Dropbox, Microsoft 365

Issue

How do I open Microsoft files stored in U-M Dropbox on the desktop Microsoft 365 apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc)?

Resolution

For both options below, you must have the following requirements in place before attempting to open the file:

• The Dropbox desktop app must be installed, open, and running in the background.
• The Dropbox desktop app must be up-to-date.
• The Microsoft file must be synced to the Dropbox desktop app.

There are two options for opening a Microsoft file stored in Dropbox in a Microsoft 365 app:

• [#1] Open files locally using the Dropbox app folder located in your Finder (Mac) or File Explorer (Windows) directory (RECOMMENDED)
• [#2] Open a Microsoft file from your U-M Dropbox account on the web:
  1. Hover over the file and click the three-dot icon in the top right.
  2. Select Open in.
  3. Select the relevant option from the drop-down menu.

Method #2 is not recommended as it is known to not work consistently.

Additional Information

You cannot collaborate in real-time using the Microsoft 365 desktop apps for Microsoft files stored in U-M Dropbox.

Need additional information or assistance? Contact the ITS Service Center.