Unable to delete Word file in an Android Device

Anonymous
2017-04-04T13:04:33+00:00

I am trying to delete a file but Word (android GalaxyNote5) is saying I do not have permission to delete 

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Microsoft 365 and Office | Word | For home | Windows

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  1. Anonymous
    2018-02-28T05:47:43+00:00

    Let me explain what is going on. 

    When you open a password protected Word or Excel file on Android Word or Excel, 

    It opens the file and then dumps an unprotected version of that file deep into Android's file system. 

    Later, when you delete the original on your phone, the file still shows up in your Android Word or Excel 'recents' list and you can just tap it and open it.  It is quite disturbing.  It has a long file path usually users>>data>>0 ...  

    The only way to delete this copy is to go to Androids app screen, select Word or Excel > More Info > Storage > CLEAR DATA.  

    This will clear that folder with these files and reset your app.  You do not have access to that folder to delete these files individually, this is the only way.  Unfortunately, once you open another password protected file, it will again end up in this deep sub-folder and always be in your recent list ready to be opened sans password.  

    This is horrible oversight on behalf of MS and I must say, as a user of both Android and iOS, this problem does not exist on either the Word version for iOS, and definitely does not happen with any files created, opened, handled by Pages or Numbers, which is Apple's version of Word and Excel.  The devil is in the details and this is why I rarely like to trust MS or Android with sensitive info.  

    * NOTE: The "remove fom list" option does not delete the file from the device.  It will remain in that folder just no longer in the list .

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  2. Anonymous
    2018-02-24T12:55:42+00:00

    If Word is a pre-installed app on your device, you can disable and enable it from Settings. Follow these steps:

    1. Go to Settings.
    2. Choose Applications.
    3. Select Word.
    4. Tap Disable.
    5. Tap Disable.
    6. You might also want to tap Force Stop and Clear Data.
    7. Go back to the Application Info page of the Word app and click Enable.
    8. Check if you’re experiencing the same issue.

    Looking forward to your response.

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  3. Anonymous
    2018-02-23T21:01:03+00:00

    How do I reinstall Word after I uninstall it?  There is no disk. Word came pre installed on my tablet.

    Thanks

    John

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  4. Anonymous
    2018-02-23T10:41:39+00:00

    We appreciate your concern. We suggest that you uninstall the Word app, restart your device, and reinstall it.

    Looking forward to your reply.

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  5. Anonymous
    2018-02-22T19:25:11+00:00

    I have no files in One Drive so there was nothing to delete.

    My Samsung tablet is running Android version 7

    Word is version 16.0.9001.2077

    Does this help?

    Thanks

    John

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