Excel Opens OneDrive Files Instead of Local Copies on Mac - Fix Local Paths and Links
Question details
The user needs to stop Excel for Mac from opening OneDrive cloud versions instead of local copies and from changing hard drive workbook links into OneDrive links after an update.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel for Mac, OneDrive
- Device & OS
- macOS
- Scenario
- Opening an Excel workbook with linked files on a Mac after a OneDrive or Office update.
- Observed behavior
- Excel opens the cloud version instead of the local copy and rewrites hard drive links as OneDrive links.
Confirm whether the workbook and linked files are currently inside the OneDrive sync folder, and note the local file paths you want Excel to keep. Close the linked workbooks before changing links or moving files.
Move linked workbooks outside the OneDrive sync folder and relink local paths
Use this if you need local-only hard drive paths and do not want Excel to rewrite links to OneDrive.
Excel changes links when the linked workbooks are stored inside the OneDrive sync directory or opened through the OneDrive cloud location. Keeping the active workbook and its linked files in a normal local folder restores local path behavior.
Open Finder and create a new folder under Documents, for example Documents/ExcelLocal, outside the OneDrive folder.
Copy or move the workbook and all linked workbooks into that local folder so they are no longer inside OneDrive.
In Excel for Mac, click File > Open and browse to the local folder, then open the workbook from that path rather than from OneDrive.
Go to Data > Edit Links, select each linked workbook, click Change Source, and choose the file from the local folder.
Save the workbook, close it, reopen it, and confirm that the links now show local file paths such as /Users/.../ExcelLocal/ instead of OneDrive links.
Check OneDrive Files On-Demand and local sync settings on macOS
Use this to make sure OneDrive is not treating the local files as cloud placeholders or opening the browser/library location instead of the desktop app.
Update Excel and OneDrive, then contact Microsoft Support with version details
Use this if the problem began immediately after an update and the local-path workarounds do not stop the link rewriting.
Avoid OneDrive Link Rewriting with WPS Office on Mac
WPS Office is a free, lightweight Microsoft Office alternative for macOS that opens and edits .xlsx workbooks with local file paths by default, without OneDrive cloud link rewriting. It offers a familiar ribbon interface and strong Excel format compatibility for a smoother local-first workflow.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Excel on Mac open OneDrive files instead of my local copies?
After a OneDrive or Office update, Excel may resolve recent files or linked workbooks through the OneDrive sync location when the files are stored inside the OneDrive folder. Check OneDrive Preferences from the menu bar and move linked workbooks to a local folder outside OneDrive if you need hard drive paths.
How do I stop Excel from changing hard drive links into OneDrive links?
Move the active workbook and all linked files into a local folder outside the OneDrive sync directory, open the workbook via File > Open from that local path, then update links in Data > Edit Links > Change Source to the local files.
Does the Windows setting that disables Office file synchronization work on macOS?
No. The Windows setting does not apply directly to macOS. On a Mac, use OneDrive Preferences, Files On-Demand settings, folder locations, and Excel link behavior instead.
Can I still use OneDrive for other files while keeping Excel links local?
Yes. Store the linked Excel workbooks in a local folder outside OneDrive, and continue using OneDrive for other files. Make sure you open the linked workbooks from the local folder rather than from the OneDrive location.
What should I do if updating Excel and OneDrive does not fix the issue?
Note your macOS version from Apple menu > About This Mac, your Excel version from Excel > About Excel, and your OneDrive version, then contact Microsoft Support with the details that Excel rewrites local hard drive links into OneDrive links.
