Edit Office Files Stored on a QNAP NAS from Android Using WPS Office
Question details
User needs to edit Word and Excel files saved on a QNAP NAS from an Android device, but the Qfile app opens them as read-only.
- Product
- WPS Office Android and QNAP Qfile
- Device & OS
- Android
- Scenario
- User accesses Word and Excel documents stored on a QNAP NAS through the Qfile Android app over Wi-Fi or mobile data and needs to make edits.
- Observed behavior
- Word and Excel files open in read-only mode from the NAS; the same documents edit normally when stored in OneDrive.
Before you start, update WPS Office and Qfile from Google Play, and confirm your QNAP NAS is reachable from the Android device. Check that your NAS user account has read/write permission for the target folders.
Edit QNAP NAS Office files as local copies in WPS Office Android
Use this when Qfile opens Word or Excel files read-only or when no direct NAS editing connection is set up.
The Qfile Android app may open files in a preview or read-only viewer and does not guarantee write access for third-party Office editors. Downloading the file, editing it in WPS Office, and uploading it back is the most reliable workaround.
Open Qfile on Android, browse to the Word or Excel file on your QNAP NAS, tap the file menu, and choose Download or Save to device.
Open WPS Office on Android, go to the Files or Local tab, locate the downloaded Word or Excel file, and tap it to open in edit mode.
Make your changes in WPS Office Writer or Spreadsheets, then tap the Save icon to save the .docx or .xlsx file locally.
Return to Qfile, navigate to the original NAS folder, tap Upload, and select the edited file from your device to replace or add it.
Connect WPS Office Android to QNAP NAS via WebDAV
Use this if you want a cloud-like connection and your QNAP NAS has WebDAV or a WebDAV-compatible share enabled.
Edit QNAP NAS Office Files on Android with WPS Office
When Qfile on Android opens Word and Excel files as read-only, use WPS Office to download, edit, and upload the files back to your QNAP NAS. WPS Office Writer and Spreadsheets preserve .docx and .xlsx formatting without a Microsoft 365 subscription.
- 1. Install WPS Office on Android: Download WPS Office from Google Play, open it, and sign in or skip to the document home screen.
- 2. Get the NAS file onto your device: In Qfile, open your QNAP NAS share, tap the Word or Excel file menu, and choose Download or Save to device.
- 3. Open and edit the file in WPS Office: Open WPS Office, tap Files or Local, select the downloaded .docx or .xlsx file, and edit in Writer or Spreadsheets.
- 4. Save and return the file to QNAP: Tap Save in WPS Office, then in Qfile upload the edited file to the original NAS folder to replace the old version.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do Word and Excel files from QNAP open read-only in Qfile on Android?
Qfile often previews files through a viewer or Microsoft Office for Android, which may not support write access to third-party NAS storage. Download the file and open it in WPS Office Android to edit the local copy.
Can WPS Office Android edit files directly from a QNAP NAS?
It can if you add the NAS as a WebDAV or network location in WPS Office and the QNAP WebDAV service is enabled. Otherwise, use Qfile to download the file, edit it in WPS Office, and upload it back.
Do I need a Microsoft 365 subscription to edit these Office files on Android?
No. WPS Office edits .docx and .xlsx files free on Android and preserves Microsoft Office formatting.
What should I check if WPS Office cannot save changes to the NAS folder?
Check that the NAS user account has read/write permissions on the shared folder, confirm the folder is not mounted read-only, and make sure the WebDAV or Qfile session is still connected.
Why do the same documents edit normally in OneDrive but not on QNAP?
OneDrive has built-in Office cloud integration and write access. QNAP Qfile relies on the Android app or third-party NAS connection, which may open files read-only unless you download and re-upload them.
