OneDrive File Issues

Fix 'Loading name...' in OneDrive Shared Excel Spreadsheets

Natalie Taylor Oct 7, 2026 868 views

Question details

When co-authoring a shared spreadsheet on OneDrive, users see a generic user icon and the text 'Loading name...' instead of the actual co-author's name.

How to Fix 'Loading name...' in a OneDrive Shared Spreadsheet

Product: Microsoft Excel / OneDrive
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Collaborating on a shared Excel workbook hosted on OneDrive.
Observed behavior: A generic user icon and 'Loading name...' appear when another person edits a cell, sometimes persisting for several hours instead of displaying their actual Microsoft account name.

Before you start

Ensure you have a stable internet connection and that all co-authors have saved their most recent changes to avoid any synchronization conflicts during troubleshooting.

Solution 1Recommended

Update Microsoft Office to the Latest Version

Installing the latest Office updates ensures you have the most recent bug fixes and performance patches for Excel's co-authoring features.

Microsoft frequently releases updates to resolve known synchronization and display issues in Excel and OneDrive. Updating the application is the quickest way to resolve this visual glitch.

Open Excel Account Settings

Launch Microsoft Excel and open any workbook. Click on 'File' in the top-left corner of the window, then select 'Account' from the left-hand menu.

Check for Updates

Under the Product Information section, click on 'Update Options' and select 'Update Now' from the drop-down list.

Restart and Reopen

Wait for the updates to download and install. Once the process is complete, restart your computer and reopen the shared OneDrive workbook to see if the co-author names display correctly.

Update Microsoft Office to the Latest Version

Cosmetic Issue: The missing display name is generally a cosmetic glitch. It should not affect the actual co-authoring process, and all edits are still being safely synced to OneDrive.

Solution 2

Perform an Online Repair of Microsoft 365

If updating doesn't work, running an Online Repair can fix corrupted Office installation files that might be causing the display issue.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Collaborate Seamlessly with WPS Office

If you continue to experience sync delays or display glitches with Microsoft Excel and OneDrive, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides robust cloud collaboration tools and a smooth co-authoring experience without the frustrating display bugs.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free desktop application.
2. Sign In for Cloud Access: Create or sign in to your WPS account to unlock WPS Cloud sharing and real-time collaboration features.
3. Share and Co-author: Open your spreadsheet, click the 'Share' button in the top right corner, and invite colleagues to edit seamlessly.

Highly compatible with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx, .xls) formats.Smooth real-time co-authoring and reliable cloud synchronization.Free, lightweight, and consumes fewer system resources.Familiar user interface makes transitioning incredibly easy.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the 'Loading name...' error mean my spreadsheet is not saving?

No. This is typically just a visual or cosmetic display issue within the Excel application. Both your edits and the co-author's edits are still being safely saved and synced to the OneDrive servers.

Why does the generic user icon remain for several hours?

This can happen due to a temporary caching glitch or a delayed background synchronization between the Office desktop application and Microsoft's OneDrive servers.

Can I see the names correctly on Excel for the Web?

Yes. This specific display bug is most commonly reported on the Excel desktop application. If you open the same shared file using Excel for the Web in your browser, the co-authors' names usually display correctly.

Will clearing the Office cache help resolve the missing display name?

Yes, clearing the Office document cache via the Office Upload Center (or through Excel Options > Save > Cache Settings) can sometimes force a fresh sync with OneDrive and restore the missing display names.

Document & File Issues