Fix SharePoint Comment Links Opening in Office Web Instead of Desktop App
Question details
Users are unable to open SharePoint comment and mention notification links directly in Office desktop applications from Outlook.
- Product
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Clicking the 'Go to Comment' link in a SharePoint notification email within Outlook.
- Observed behavior
- The linked document always opens in Office for the Web, completely bypassing the global 'Office Link Handling' preference that usually forces links to open in the desktop app.
Verify that your general Office Link Handling settings are configured correctly to open supported links in desktop apps, even though this specific notification link behavior currently has known Microsoft limitations.
Manually Open the Document in the Desktop App
Since SharePoint comment notification links are hardcoded to open in the web application, you must manually transition your session to the desktop app.
The standard 'Office Link Handling' setting does not apply to SharePoint mention and comment notification links. Microsoft currently routes these specific alerts exclusively to Office for the Web.
Open your Outlook email and click the 'Go to Comment' link within the SharePoint notification.
Allow the document to fully load in your web browser via Word, Excel, or PowerPoint online.
Look at the top ribbon menu in the web application. You will see an 'Editing' dropdown or a direct 'Open in Desktop App' button.
Click 'Open in Desktop App' to instantly launch your locally installed Office application and continue working from exactly where you left off.
Submit Feedback to Microsoft for Feature Request
Request that Microsoft updates the Office Link Handling setting to respect desktop app preferences for comment links.
Looking for a Seamless Document Collaboration Experience?
While Microsoft Office restricts certain notification links to its web version, WPS Office provides a lightweight, highly compatible, and unified desktop experience. Enjoy familiar UI and seamless collaboration without the hassle of forced web-app transitions.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website to download the free, lightweight installer.
- 2. Install the Application: Run the installer to set up the unified WPS Office suite on your desktop.
- 3. Open and Collaborate: Sign in to access built-in cloud docs and start collaborating on files natively within the desktop app.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do my SharePoint links open in the browser instead of the desktop app?
SharePoint comment and mention links are currently designed by Microsoft to open in Office for the Web by default. This specific type of notification link bypasses standard desktop-handling settings.
Can I force Outlook to open SharePoint comments directly in the desktop app?
Currently, there is no native setting in Outlook or Microsoft 365 to force comment notification links to open directly in the desktop app. You must open them in the browser first, then switch to the desktop version manually.
Does the Office Link Handling setting affect all links?
The Office Link Handling setting successfully affects standard document sharing links, allowing them to open in desktop apps. However, it specifically excludes SharePoint comment and mention notification links.
How do I switch from Office for the Web to the desktop app?
When your document opens in the web browser, locate the 'Open in Desktop App' button on the top ribbon menu. Clicking this will automatically launch the corresponding desktop software and open your file.
