Fix Microsoft 365 Not Showing Correct Author and Sharing Error
Question details
The user needs to fix an issue where Microsoft 365 displays the wrong document author and shows an error stating 'Unable to Share right now' when trying to share a file.
- Product
- Microsoft 365
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Authoring and sharing documents using Microsoft 365 desktop applications.
- Observed behavior
- Microsoft 365 displays the account used to purchase or install the software rather than the intended author, and sharing fails with an 'Object doesn't support property or method From' error.
Ensure you are connected to a stable internet connection and have your correct Microsoft account login credentials handy before proceeding.
Verify and Switch Your Microsoft Account Sign-In
Check the account currently signed into Microsoft 365 to ensure it is your personal profile rather than the installation or purchase account.
Microsoft 365 applications often default to displaying the user account that originally purchased or installed the Office suite. This can overwrite your preferred document author settings and trigger sharing errors if the account lacks active sharing permissions.
Launch the specific Microsoft 365 desktop application (such as Word or Excel) where you are experiencing the incorrect author and sharing error.
Click on the 'File' tab in the top-left corner of the application window, then select 'Account' from the left-hand navigation menu.
Look under the 'User Information' section to see which Microsoft account is currently signed in. You can also click 'About [App Name]' to review specific product and license information.
If the displayed account is not your preferred author profile, click 'Switch Account' or 'Sign out', then log back in using the correct Microsoft account credentials.
Manually Override the Default Author Name
If you cannot change the signed-in account, you can manually set a default author name that overrides the Microsoft account information.
Try WPS Office for Hassle-Free Document Authoring and Sharing
If Microsoft 365 account syncing issues and sharing errors are interrupting your workflow, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides straightforward author customization, seamless file sharing, and zero mandatory account lock-ins.
- 1. Download and Install: Get WPS Office for free from the official website and install it on your device.
- 2. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing Microsoft Word (.docx) file.
- 3. Set Author and Share: Go to Menu > Options > User Information to set your desired author name, then share easily using the built-in Share button.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Microsoft 365 show the wrong author name on my documents?
Microsoft 365 often defaults to the account that was used to purchase or install the software on that PC. You can fix this by verifying your signed-in account under File > Account or manually overriding the name in File > Options.
What causes the 'Object doesn't support property or method From' error when sharing?
This error typically occurs due to account synchronization issues, a glitch in the Outlook integration for sharing, or being signed into an account that lacks the necessary sharing and email configuration permissions.
Can I manually change the author name for a single document?
Yes. Open the document, go to File > Info, locate the author's name under 'Related People' on the right side, right-click the name, and select 'Edit Property' to update it for that specific file.
Will checking 'Always use these values regardless of sign in' fix the sharing error?
Checking this box will permanently fix the author name displayed on your new documents. However, if the sharing error stems from a fundamental account license or integration issue, you may still need to sign in with the correct account.
