Dropbox has a convenient feature to preview DOC files as PDFs in Firefox's built-in PDF viewer. It's convenient but can lead to this problem that you end up downloading the document as a PDF instead of a DOC file.

As long as the recipient uses the Download button on Dropbox's toolbar above the viewer (see attached screen shot comparison), the recipient should get the original format instead of the preview.

Is that the issue?

(See also the past thread: firefox is reading word files as pdf's when I download them from DropBox.com)

This will probably do it. However, when I use the download button and get the dialog box "Open with..." The default is Word not PDF. YET when I "Share Link" and press SEND a PDF version of that same document pops up on MY screen as well as on the recipients. It seems silly to have to go to download and select Word as open with when it is already set on Firefox's own system as Word!

Hi LMCA, which Share Link button are you using? I noticed there is a blue button with text on that viewer, and an icon with two links of a chain in other windows. I can experiment with whatever steps you are using.

here's the detail. 1. I place the file in Dropbox and open the web site to Dropbox 2. I right click on the file and select "share link" 3. When the dialog box appears I enter the recipient's email address. It is at this point that the document reverts to PDF right on my screen--without any instruction to do so. 4. I press SEND and the file wings off to the recipient to show up as a PDF in that inbox.

I also get the preview in the background. Does Dropbox only do that in Firefox?? I haven't compared. But the recipient should get a link to that same style of window with a "good" download button for the DOC on the top bar and the preview below.

I don't see anything marked or indicated as Preview on the Dropbox screen where my files and folders are located. All I do is right click (or just click) what I want to share. From the menu of options that results I simply select Share Link. It has a chain link icon beside it. No preview anywhere. Where are you seeing Preview in the background?

By Preview I meant that Dropbox is showing the document as a PDF in Firefox's built-in PDF viewer. It's not a choice I'm making.

Got it. Thanks for all your help. I think this has gone about as far as it can go.