Box Edit is an add-on feature that allows you to open and edit files stored in Box. Designed for all file types, browsers, and platforms, Box Edit uses the default application installed on your computer to open and edit files: Docx files open in Microsoft Word, PPTx files open in Microsoft PowerPoint, .xlsx files open in Excel, and so forth.
Installing Box Edit
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Download the Box Tools installer for your operating system here: https://www.box.com/box-for-devices/
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Run the Box Tools installer and follow instruction prompts to install or update Box Edit on your computer.
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Box Edit will function in any browser supported by the Box web application. (Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer, Edge)
Opening and Editing Files
Once you have installed Box Edit, you can open and edit documents directly from Box. To open files with Box Edit:
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Right-Click a file (or click the ellipses (...)) to open the More Options
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Click Open With... If there is more than one application with which you can open the file, you will have the option to select the appropriate application.
You can also open and edit documents after previewing them. To open files with Box Edit from the preview screen:
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Click the file to open it in preview
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Click Open. If there is more than one application with which you can open the file, you will have the option to select the appropriate application.
Saving Files to Box
After editing a file using Box Edit, simply save your changes in the native application. All changes will be saved back to Box automatically as a new version of the file. You will see a status display stating, File is saved to Box. <Filename> has been successfully saved to Box.
Locking/Unlocking Files
If you are working on a file with other collaborators, be sure to lock files before opening them with Box Edit. This will prevent other users from making changes to documents that you are working on until you unlock the file. Locking files is not currently supported on our mobile applications.
Note: When you lock a file, it will show a lock icon, but you will still be able to edit it. When someone else locks a file, you will see a different lock icon, and you will not be able to modify the file unless you unlock it.
To lock a file:
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Right-click a file (or click the ellipses (...)) to open the More Options
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Click Lock
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Choose a duration for the lock. If you choose unlimited, the file will be locked until you unlock it manually. You can also choose to prevent users from downloading the file while you are editing it.
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A lock icon to the left of the file's name will indicate that the file has been locked. If you use Box Sync, you will also see a lock icon over the file icon in your Box Sync folder.
To unlock a file: