File Sharing Problems

Fix the "Can't Share This Item Right Now" Error in Microsoft Office

Kushani Nimanthika Oct 12, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user needs to resolve an issue where Microsoft Office fails to share files, displaying error codes such as GraphError or itemNotFound.

How to Fix the "Can't Share This Item Right Now" Error in Microsoft Office

Product: Microsoft Office (Word, Excel)
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to share a Word or Excel document directly from the Microsoft Office desktop application.
Observed behavior: The application prevents sharing and displays an error message stating "Can't share this item right now," accompanied by "GraphError" or "itemNotFound".

Before you start

Before proceeding, verify that your Word or Excel file is saved to an active OneDrive or SharePoint location and that your internet connection is stable.

Solution 1Recommended

Verify File Sync and Cloud Permissions

The itemNotFound error frequently occurs when a file hasn't finished syncing to the cloud or has been moved.

Microsoft Office relies on a stable connection to OneDrive or SharePoint for its built-in sharing features. If the file path changes or sync is paused, the Graph API cannot locate the item, triggering the error.

Check OneDrive Sync Status

Locate the OneDrive cloud icon in your system tray. Click it to ensure all files are up to date and there are no paused or pending sync tasks.

Verify the File Location

Open your OneDrive folder in File Explorer or Finder. Confirm that the specific Word or Excel file exists in its original location and hasn't been accidentally moved or renamed by another device.

Test Sharing via Web

Log into OneDrive online through your web browser. Right-click the problematic file and select 'Share' to determine if the issue is limited to your desktop Office application.

Quick Check: If you can share the file from the web version of OneDrive, the issue is likely isolated to your local Office desktop app's account credentials.

Solution 2

Refresh Office Account Credentials

Signing out and back into your Microsoft account can resolve temporary GraphError communication glitches.

Solution 3

Report the Issue to Microsoft Support

If standard troubleshooting fails, you may need to escalate the specific itemNotFound error to Microsoft Support.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for Hassle-Free Document Sharing

If Microsoft Office keeps throwing sharing and itemNotFound errors, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative with seamless built-in cloud sharing features that are easy to manage.

1. Download and Install: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free software for your operating system.
2. Open Your Documents: Launch WPS Office and open your existing Word or Excel files with full formatting preserved.
3. Share with Ease: Click the 'Share' button in the top right corner to instantly generate a sharing link or send the file via email.

Easily share documents via links, email, or built-in cloud without complex Graph API errors.Fully compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx), Excel (.xlsx), and PowerPoint formats.Free, lightweight, and fast-loading compared to traditional bulky Office suites.Intuitive tabbed interface that requires no learning curve to switch.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

What does error code itemNotFound mean in Microsoft Office?

This error means the Office application cannot locate your file on Microsoft's cloud servers (OneDrive or SharePoint). It typically happens if the file has not finished syncing, was recently moved, or if you lack the proper permissions.

Why do I get a GraphError when sharing an Excel file?

A GraphError indicates a communication breakdown between the desktop Office application and the Microsoft Graph API, which manages cloud file interactions. Refreshing your account login usually resolves this.

Can I use the 'Share' button if my file is saved locally on my PC?

No, to use the built-in collaborative 'Share' button in Microsoft Office, the document must be saved to a cloud location like OneDrive or SharePoint. Locally saved files can only be shared as email attachments.

Will reinstalling Office fix the "Can't share this item right now" error?

While reinstalling might fix deeply corrupted application files, fixing OneDrive sync issues or signing out and back into your Microsoft account is typically a much faster and more effective solution for this specific error.

Document & File Issues