Why is the Dropbox badge not showing?

Updated Jan 19, 2026

What to do if the Dropbox badge isn’t showing

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

The file is saved in your Dropbox folder.
The file is a Microsoft Office document, opened with Microsoft Office.
Your computer is connected to the internet.
If the file opened in Protected View (e.g., files downloaded from the Internet or other potentially unsafe locations), 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 turned on.

What to check on Windows

Make sure that:

You're running Windows 10 or later.
You're using Microsoft Word, Excel, or PowerPoint (versions 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, or Microsoft 365).

Note: If Dropbox is running in Compatibility mode, the badge won't appear. To see the badge, run Dropbox on a supported version of Windows (10 or later).

What to check on Mac

Make sure that:

You're running macOS 11 or later.
You're using Microsoft Word, Excel, or PowerPoint (version 2011 or 2016).
You've enabled Accessibility for Dropbox in your Finder preferences.

Note: For files saved in Office Compatibility Mode (.xls, .ppt, .doc), the Dropbox badge won't show when someone else 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).