Error message: Decryption failed(null) when attempting to open an Excel document on iPad

I want this resolved appropriately. Having to download a Microsoft Office App works but it creates a new issue that opens the spreadsheet differently when viewed. My iPhone 7+ is up for an upgrade and if this issue isn’t resolved soon I may be forced to go with a non-Apple phone upgrade😡

The good news is, I can now open my Excel files on both iPad and on iPhone 12pro. My question may now go to Dropbox—I wonder why I still receive the Decryption failed (null) message above the invitation to “open” the file in Excel. I used to get a preview copy of the Excel file before I actually opened the Excel file for editing. This is not a real problem—but I’m curious if the change lives with Dropbox? Apple? or Microsoft? Anyway, I’m relieved I can now go directly to opening the Excel files.

Mine is a word document. I still cannot open it as an email attachment, only through the word app. This issue is on my iPhone, not my new or old iPads. I don’t have cellular on my iPads, if that’s relevant to fixing this issue.

I have the same problem but a variant. I have four MS Word docs that all use the same password but when trying to open on my IPAD or iPhone, only three of them will open. The other will not and I get the same response - Decryption failed (null). This is ridiculous. Apple needs to fix this.

As I mentioned, the problem is random. I have four Word docs using the exact same password. Three of them will open, the other one will not. Before that, two would open and two would not but one opened about 3 days after trying on the IPAD again. GO figure.

Bgnmarty, thank you! I think you have summarized the situation perfectly! It had not occurred to me that maybe this is an intentional change—I hope not, but you may have given the ‘real’ answer to the issue. I like the convenience of preview, but fear I may have to get used to the new way of things. Anyway, thank you for reviewing the issue so carefully. Nice job.

go to the App Store and load MS Word (it’s free). Then go to your email and save the password protected word file to your phone. Then go to the word app icon on your phone and open your file and enter your password and it should work.

Thanks for the compliment, glad it helped. The only way Apple can fix the issue is to release another version of iOS. Not sure why some people think Apple can magically jump onto their phone and fix it without changing the software level. I know iOS 14.2.1 did not fix it so am waiting for their next release. However, keep in mind they may have done this intentionally, ha...we may not get an Apple fix :-0 Time will tell.

Your fix worked like a charm. Thanks. Was a little tricky learning how to access an apple folder one I did everything works great. I just hope that opening an Excel worksheet does not trigger a Microsoft Office subscription. Thanks again.

RBLsr

Yes I know, I saw that too but its not solved until Apple solves it via an iOS update. It appears the algorithm on this form for marking something solved needs a bit of attention. I've seen myself where I thought I solved a certain issue only to find out a day or so later that my solution was not robust enough to withstand all the various ways the issue can happen. I looked at the settings on this forum and could not find a way to remove the Solved marking on that post.

All we have to date is a good work around.

Have you had a Microsoft office charge? To access the folder I swipe left to right and enter folder name in search box. Is there a quicker way? True the Excel function is better than the just view. RBLsr

This did not work for me. I’m trying to open a password-protected Word doc. I saved the doc to the documents folder and then downloaded the Microsoft Office app. I still get the Decryption failed (null) message when I try to open from the email directly. When I try to open from the saved document I just get a blank page. Any ideas? TIA.

F/U: opened MS Office app and was able to search for the saved doc and it did open from there. Is there any way to open it direct from the email until Apple fixes this bug?

TY

You're welcome cvdinh & AZTechGirl,

Glad the work around helps. BTW, I was on the phone with Apple senior support again on this issue doing some ancillary testing with password protected MS files and we both came to a preliminary conclusion that this change may not be accidental :-0 We won't know till a couple more iOS upgrades are released but it does seem to fit the path Apple is taking on third party apps. I'm actually starting to like the work around better and it only takes one second to open the file.

I don't know how Microsoft decide to released app for phone or tablet but the positive side of Excel now is that you can mod the file directly from iPhone. I use a file for passwords.. is not simple to type on 5" screen display but now i have the file in iCloud and is immediately available from iPhone, Mac or iPad.

And is one update anytime. Before I had to delete the pdf and create a new one everytime I insert a new pass because pdf are not editable. Now is only one file everywhere

I have the same issue with the iPhone 12 Pro that i just purchased. I have been a long time Android Samsung Galaxy user but I was forced into a situation where i had to switch to the iPhone. On my Samsung device, I have been able to store password protected Excel files within Dropbox, as well as using another third party encryption program to further protect the files. When I discovered on that platform that I was receiving errors opening the Excel file (using the Excel app), I switched to OfficeSuite and found that this program worked flawlessly.

Fortunately on the Samsung phone, I had the choice of which application to use to open the file. I am not getting the same option on the iPhone, even though I have installed the same paid version apps. Let's see if they can resolve this issue soon!