Fix SharePoint 'Open in Desktop App' Fails on macOS Monterey
Question details
Users are unable to open shared Word documents from SharePoint or Microsoft Teams using the macOS Monterey local desktop application due to a continuous sign-in loop.
- Product
- SharePoint, Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- macOS Monterey
- Scenario
- Attempting to open shared Word files directly from SharePoint or Microsoft Teams into the local macOS desktop application.
- Observed behavior
- The application repeatedly prompts for sign-in credentials and eventually displays an 'Unable to open document' error, despite other users being able to access the exact same files.
Ensure you have your correct Microsoft 365 account email and password ready, as you will need to sign back into your Office applications after clearing your stored credentials.
Clear Office Credentials from Mac Keychain Access
Removing cached Microsoft Office identities from the macOS Keychain resolves authentication conflicts that cause repeated sign-in loops when accessing SharePoint files.
Authentication errors on macOS often stem from corrupted or conflicting credentials stored in Keychain Access. Clearing these allows Microsoft Word to request a fresh authentication token from SharePoint.
Open Microsoft Word on your Mac, click on 'Word' in the top menu bar, select 'Sign Out', and then fully quit all Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
Open Finder, go to 'Applications' > 'Utilities', and launch the 'Keychain Access' app. Alternatively, use Spotlight Search (Cmd + Space) to find it.
In the Keychain Access search bar, type 'Microsoft Office'. Highlight all entries related to 'Microsoft Office Identities' and 'ADAL', right-click them, and select 'Delete'.
Restart your Mac to apply the changes. Open Microsoft Word and sign in using the exact Microsoft account associated with your SharePoint Online or Teams access.
Try WPS Office for Seamless Word Document Editing
If Microsoft Word continues to struggle with authentication loops on your Mac, WPS Office provides a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative. Enjoy a familiar interface and flawless compatibility without frustrating sign-in errors.
- 1. Download for Mac: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the installation package designed for macOS.
- 2. Install the Application: Run the downloaded installer and move WPS Office to your Applications folder.
- 3. Open Your Document: Download your document from SharePoint to your local drive, then open it directly in WPS Writer to begin editing immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Word keep asking me to sign in on macOS Monterey?
This usually happens due to corrupted or conflicting cached credentials in the macOS Keychain. Clearing the Microsoft Office identity files forces the app to request a fresh authentication token.
How do I check which account is signed into Microsoft Word on Mac?
Open Microsoft Word, click on your profile picture or initials in the top-left corner (or go to Word > Sign Out), and verify that the email address matches the one you use for SharePoint.
Can I open SharePoint files without using the Mac desktop app?
Yes. If the desktop app fails to open the document, you can edit it directly in your web browser using Word for the Web by clicking the file name within SharePoint or Teams.
