SharePoint Document Issues

Fix Excel SharePoint Workbook Stuck on Synchronization Cleanup

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user is unable to sync a shared Excel workbook on SharePoint, as it gets stuck performing a cleanup process, closes unexpectedly, and fails to display the latest edits from colleagues.

Product: Microsoft Excel
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Collaborating on a shared spreadsheet hosted on SharePoint.
Observed behavior: The Excel workbook reports that a cleanup is being performed, then abruptly closes. Upon reopening, it shows an older cached version of the file instead of the most recent updates made by colleagues.

Before you start

Ensure you have a stable internet connection and confirm with your colleagues that they have successfully saved and closed their recent edits to the SharePoint file.

Solution 1Recommended

Clear Problematic Entries from the Excel Recent List

Removing the file shortcut from your Recent list forces Excel to fetch the latest version directly from SharePoint instead of loading a corrupted local cache.

When a SharePoint file gets stuck during synchronization cleanup, Excel may be continuously trying to load an outdated or corrupted local cache of the workbook.

By removing the problematic entry from the Recent list, you are only deleting the shortcut. This allows Excel to bypass the broken cache and establish a fresh connection to the actual file hosted on SharePoint.

Open the Recent files list

Launch the Microsoft Excel desktop application and navigate to the 'Home' or 'Open' tab on the left sidebar to view your Recent list.

Remove the workbook shortcut

Locate the problematic SharePoint workbook in the list. Right-click on the entry and select 'Remove from list' from the context menu.

Reopen directly from SharePoint

Navigate to your SharePoint site or use the original shared link to open the workbook again. This will force Excel to download a fresh, synchronized copy of the file.

File Safety: Removing a workbook from Excel's Recent list does not delete the actual file. It only removes the local shortcut, keeping your SharePoint data completely safe.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for Seamless Document Collaboration

If you frequently encounter synchronization issues and cache errors with Microsoft Office, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative with robust cloud collaboration features to keep your team effortlessly in sync.

1. Download and Install: Get WPS Office from the official website and install it on your device.
2. Upload to Cloud: Sign in to your WPS account and upload your spreadsheet to WPS Cloud.
3. Collaborate in Real-Time: Share the collaboration link with your team to start co-editing securely without sync conflicts.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx) formats and SharePoint workflowsBuilt-in WPS Cloud storage for reliable, real-time co-editingLightweight application design that reduces sync lag and unexpected crashesFree to use with a familiar, easy-to-navigate interface

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Will removing a file from the Recent list delete it from SharePoint?

No, removing a file from the Recent list only deletes the local shortcut within your Excel application. The actual file and all its data remain safely stored on your SharePoint site.

Why does my Excel workbook show an older version from days ago?

This typically happens when Excel's local cache fails to sync properly with SharePoint. Instead of fetching the live file from the server, Excel loads a previously saved local version. Clearing the Recent list and reopening the file from the source resolves this synchronization block.

What if the synchronization issue occurs in Excel for the Web?

If you are experiencing sync cleanup loops in Excel for the Web, clearing the desktop application's Recent list will not help. Instead, try clearing your web browser's cache and cookies, or open the SharePoint link in an Incognito/Private window to force a fresh connection.

Document & File Issues