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Fix SharePoint Excel Template Opens in Desktop App Instead of Web
Question details
The user wants to configure a SharePoint Excel template to open in Excel for the web rather than the desktop app to ensure AutoSave and online renaming function correctly.
- Product
- SharePoint
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Creating and saving a new Excel file in a SharePoint library using a content type template.
- Observed behavior
- The template unexpectedly opens in the Excel Desktop app instead of Excel for the web.
Ensure you have Site Owner or Library Administrator permissions in SharePoint to access and modify the Advanced Settings of the document library.
Change Default Opening Behavior in SharePoint Library Settings
Modify the SharePoint library's advanced settings to force documents to open in the browser by default.
SharePoint allows library administrators to determine the default opening behavior for all compatible documents. Changing this setting ensures that Excel files and templates open seamlessly in the web browser.
Navigate to your SharePoint document library, click the Gear icon in the top right corner to open Settings, and select 'Library settings'.
Click on 'More library settings' if prompted, then select 'Advanced Settings' under the General Settings column.
Scroll down to the 'Opening Documents in the Browser' section and select the 'Open in the browser' radio button.
Scroll to the bottom of the page and click 'OK' to apply the new settings to the document library.
Verify and Update the Excel Template Format
Ensure the template is saved in the correct .xltx format and test its compatibility directly in the SharePoint library.
Use WPS Office for Seamless Spreadsheet Management
If you are experiencing ongoing configuration issues with Microsoft Office web apps and SharePoint, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, free alternative that offers seamless spreadsheet editing, excellent compatibility with Microsoft Office formats, and a highly familiar user interface without the hassle of complex server settings.
- 1. Download and Install: Visit the official WPS Office website to download the free suite for your operating system.
- 2. Open Your Spreadsheets: Launch WPS Spreadsheets and open any .xlsx or .xltx files seamlessly without formatting issues.
- 3. Save and Share: Edit your files and utilize WPS Cloud to sync, share, and co-edit documents with your team in real-time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do SharePoint files default to opening in the desktop app?
SharePoint files may open in the desktop app if the library's Advanced Settings are configured to 'Open in the client application' or if an individual user has activated the 'Open documents in client applications by default' feature in their Site Collection Features.
Can I force only specific Excel templates to open in the browser?
No, the 'Opening Documents in the Browser' setting applies to the entire document library. To have different opening behaviors for different files, you would need to organize them into separate document libraries.
Does the file extension affect how templates open in SharePoint?
Yes, older formats like .xls or macro-enabled formats like .xlsm or .xltm may not be fully supported in Excel for the web, prompting SharePoint to automatically route them to the desktop application.
What happens to AutoSave when an Excel template opens in the desktop app?
AutoSave generally still functions in the desktop app if you are signed in with a Microsoft 365 account connected to SharePoint, but forcing it to open in the web ensures immediate online syncing and allows for easier online file renaming.
