Fix SharePoint Hyperlinks Not Working for External Users in Excel
Question details
External users are unable to open picture hyperlinks within a shared Excel workbook hosted on SharePoint due to missing file permissions.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel / SharePoint
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Sharing an Excel workbook containing hyperlinks to pictures with external users via SharePoint.
- Observed behavior
- External users can access the shared Excel workbook but receive access denied or broken link errors when clicking hyperlinks to linked pictures.
Ensure you have the necessary SharePoint administrative or owner permissions to modify access and sharing settings for both the Excel workbook and the linked image files.
Consolidate Files and Share the Entire Folder
The most reliable method is to place both the Excel workbook and all linked pictures into a single SharePoint folder and grant external users access to the entire folder.
Sharing an Excel workbook does not automatically grant external users access to the files linked inside it. By sharing the parent folder, you ensure the external user inherits permissions for everything contained within.
Navigate to your SharePoint document library and click 'New' > 'Folder' to create a dedicated folder for your project.
Move the Excel workbook and all the pictures you plan to link into this newly created folder.
Select the folder, click the 'Share' icon, enter the external user's email address, and send the invitation to grant them access to the folder and its contents.
Open the Excel workbook, right-click the existing hyperlinks, select 'Edit Hyperlink', and update the paths to point to the pictures within the shared folder.
Use 'Anyone' Links for Individual Pictures
If you cannot consolidate files into one folder, generate open access links for each picture and use those URLs in your Excel workbook.
Try WPS Office for Seamless Spreadsheet Management and Cloud Sharing
If complex SharePoint sharing permissions and Excel link issues are slowing down your workflow, WPS Office offers a highly compatible, easy-to-use alternative. Its built-in cloud collaboration makes sharing files and linked data with external users completely hassle-free.
- 1. Open your spreadsheet: Launch WPS Office and open your workbook.
- 2. Click to share: Click the 'Share' button in the top right corner of the workspace.
- 3. Generate an accessible link: Select 'Create Link', set the permission to 'Anyone with the link can view', and share it instantly with external partners.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do internal users see the hyperlinks but external users cannot?
Internal users generally have broader default access permissions across the SharePoint site or document library. External users, however, are strictly restricted to the specific files or folders explicitly shared with them.
Can I just share the Excel file without sharing the pictures?
You can share the Excel file itself, but the hyperlinks inside it act as shortcuts to the picture files. If the pictures haven't been shared, external users will hit an 'Access Denied' error when they try to click the shortcuts.
How do I check if my organization allows 'Anyone' links in SharePoint?
Select any file in your SharePoint library, click the 'Share' button, and open the link settings. If 'Anyone with the link' is greyed out or missing, your IT administrator has restricted anonymous external sharing.
