Copilot Not Working

How to Open Local Word and Excel Files in Microsoft 365 Web Apps and Copilot

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to automatically open locally stored Word and Excel documents directly in Microsoft 365 web applications or Microsoft Copilot.

Product: Microsoft 365 and Copilot
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to access and edit local files using Microsoft 365 web apps and Copilot.
Observed behavior: Local files cannot be opened directly in Microsoft 365 web apps or Copilot without first being uploaded to a cloud service like OneDrive.

Before you start

Ensure you have an active internet connection and are signed into your Microsoft account. You will also need access to Microsoft OneDrive to sync your local files to the cloud.

Solution 1Recommended

Upload and Sync Files via OneDrive to Use Copilot

Since Microsoft Copilot and the web apps cannot open local files directly, you must upload your files to OneDrive to view and edit them online.

Microsoft 365 web apps are cloud-based and inherently require files to be hosted online. Microsoft Copilot relies on the Microsoft Graph, which only indexes and accesses files stored in OneDrive or SharePoint.

Open OneDrive Online

Go to the Microsoft 365 portal in your web browser, sign in, and click on the OneDrive icon from the app launcher (waffle icon) in the top-left corner.

Upload Your Local Files

Click the "Upload" button at the top of the OneDrive interface, select "Files", and choose the local Word or Excel documents from your computer.

Open with Web Apps

Once the upload is complete, click on the file name in OneDrive. It will automatically open in the respective Microsoft 365 web app (Word for the web or Excel for the web).

Access via Copilot

With the document open in the web app, click the Copilot icon in the top right corner of the ribbon to begin analyzing or editing the file.

Provide Feedback: If you require the ability to open local files directly in Copilot without manual cloud syncing, consider submitting product feedback to the Microsoft Copilot development team.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Seamlessly Open and Edit Local Files with WPS Office

If uploading every file to OneDrive is too tedious, WPS Office offers a powerful, free desktop suite that instantly opens and edits local Word and Excel documents without requiring a cloud connection. Enjoy a lightweight application with high format compatibility, a familiar interface, and seamless migration.

1. Download and Install WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website, download the free desktop application, and install it on your computer.
2. Launch the Application: Open WPS Office and select "Open" from the left-hand navigation menu on the home screen.
3. Select Your Local File: Browse your computer's local drives, choose the Word or Excel file you want to work on, and click "Open".
4. Edit and Save Locally: Use the built-in tools or WPS AI to edit your document, then click the "Save" icon to securely overwrite the file on your local drive.

Instantly open, edit, and save local files without mandatory cloud uploadsHighly compatible with Microsoft Office formats including .docx, .xlsx, and .pptxBuilt-in WPS AI tools for document generation, summarization, and data analysisLightweight desktop application that works offline and won't slow down your deviceFree to download with a familiar, easy-to-use interface for a seamless transition

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why can't Microsoft Copilot open my local Word or Excel files directly?

Microsoft Copilot is a cloud-based AI service designed to work seamlessly with documents stored in the Microsoft 365 ecosystem. To access its features, files must be synced or uploaded to OneDrive or SharePoint so the AI can securely process the data.

Can I use Microsoft 365 web apps offline for my local files?

No, Microsoft 365 web apps require an active internet connection to function. For offline editing of local files without uploading them to the cloud, you need a desktop application like WPS Office.

How do I automatically sync my local folders to OneDrive?

You can download the OneDrive desktop client and set up 'PC Folder Backup' in the settings. This allows you to automatically sync specific local folders (like Desktop, Documents, or Pictures) to the cloud, making them immediately accessible to Microsoft 365 web apps and Copilot.

Do I need a paid subscription to upload local files for the web apps?

No, Microsoft provides 5 GB of free cloud storage with every free Microsoft account. You can use this space to upload your local Word and Excel files and access them using the free versions of Microsoft 365 web apps.

Microsoft Copilot Issues