Why is the Dropbox badge not showing?

Updated Oct 23, 2023

The Dropbox badge shows you information about who is currently working in a shared Microsoft Office file with you.

What should I do if the Dropbox badge isn’t showing?

If you don't see the Dropbox badge, check the following:

  • The file you're working on is saved in your Dropbox folder
  • The file you're working on is a Microsoft Office document, opened with Microsoft Office
  • Your computer is connected to the internet
  • If your Office file opened in Protected View (e.g., files downloaded from the Internet or other potentially unsafe locations), you'll need to enable editing
  • The Dropbox icon is showing in your taskbar (Windows) or menu bar (Mac)
  • You’re using your team account, not a linked personal account
  • Make sure you have the Dropbox badge enabled

What to check if you’re using Windows:

  • You must be on Windows 8 or later
  • You're using Microsoft Word, Excel, or PowerPoint (versions 2007, 2010, 2013, or 2016) 
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Note: If you run Dropbox in Compatibility mode, then the badge won't appear. You'll need to run Dropbox in a supported version of Windows (8 or later) in order to see the badge.

What to check if you're using a Mac:

  • You're running OS X Mountain Lion 10.8 or later
  • You're using Microsoft Word, Excel, or PowerPoint (version 2011 or 2016) 
  • You've enabled Accessibility for Dropbox in your Finder preferences
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Note: For files saved in Office's Compatibility Mode (.xls, .ppt, .doc), the Dropbox badge won't show when another person is viewing the file and it won't prompt you to update to the latest version of the file. To ensure the badge is reporting accurately, use Save As to save files in a non-Compatibility Mode file format (.xlsx, .pptx, .docx).

Dropbox badge still not showing?

If you’ve tried all of these steps and still don’t see the Dropbox badge, you can contact Dropbox support for assistance.

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