Fix SharePoint 2019 Documents Not Opening in Office Client in Edge
Question details
User needs SharePoint 2019 document libraries to open files in the desktop Office client instead of the browser when using Chromium-based Microsoft Edge.
- Product
- SharePoint Server 2019
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- A user accesses a SharePoint 2019 document library in Chromium-based Microsoft Edge and expects documents to open in the desktop Office application.
- Observed behavior
- Files open in the browser instead of the desktop Office client, while Internet Explorer 11 works as expected.
Before troubleshooting, confirm that the affected library is in SharePoint Server 2019, note the current SharePoint build and Microsoft Edge version, and check whether all Office file types are affected or only one file format.
Check the SharePoint 2019 Document Library Open-in-Client Setting
Use this solution first to confirm the document library is configured to send Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files to the desktop Office client instead of the browser.
This is a SharePoint Server 2019 library setting. When it is set incorrectly, Edge opens files in the browser even if the desktop Office client is installed.
In the SharePoint 2019 document library, click the Settings gear icon, choose Library settings, and then click Advanced settings.
Under Opening Documents in the Browser, select Open in the client application, then click OK.
Return to the document library, click a Word, Excel, or PowerPoint file, and confirm that it now launches in the desktop Office application.
Run the SharePoint Site in Internet Explorer Mode in Microsoft Edge
Use this solution when the library setting is correct but Chromium-based Edge still opens documents in the browser.
Switch to WPS Office When SharePoint 2019 Does Not Launch the Office Desktop Client in Edge
WPS Office is a free, lightweight Office alternative that opens the Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files you download from SharePoint with full Microsoft Office format compatibility, a familiar ribbon-style UI, and easy migration from Microsoft Office—so interrupted SharePoint library access does not stop your work.
- 1. Download WPS Office Free: Go to the official WPS Office download page and click Download WPS Office Free to save the installer.
- 2. Install WPS Office: Open the downloaded installer and follow the on-screen instructions to install WPS Office on your computer.
- 3. Open the SharePoint document: Download the file from the SharePoint 2019 library, right-click the document, choose Open with, and select WPS Office Writer, Spreadsheets, or Presentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do SharePoint 2019 documents open in the browser instead of the Office client in Edge?
In SharePoint Server 2019, this is usually controlled by the document library's Opening Documents in the Browser setting. Go to Library settings > Advanced settings and select Open in the client application. Edge can also require Internet Explorer mode for older on-premises SharePoint behavior.
How do I enable Open in client application in SharePoint 2019?
Open the document library, click the Settings gear icon, choose Library settings, click Advanced settings, and under Opening Documents in the Browser select Open in the client application, then click OK.
Can WPS Office change SharePoint 2019's Open in client application behavior?
No. WPS Office does not modify SharePoint Server 2019 library settings or Edge integration. However, you can download the Word, Excel, or PowerPoint file from SharePoint and open it in WPS Office as a compatible desktop alternative.
What information should I provide when reporting this to Microsoft SharePoint Server support?
Include the SharePoint 2019 build number, Microsoft Edge version, document library settings, affected Office file types, and whether Internet Explorer 11 opens the same files correctly.
