Permission & Access Issues

Fix 'We're Still Loading the Document' in SharePoint Word

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 868 views

Question details

Users are unable to fully access or edit a shared Word document hosted by an external organization due to a persistent 'We're still loading the document' message.

Product: Microsoft Word / SharePoint
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to open, edit, or change modes in a Word document hosted on another organization's SharePoint site.
Observed behavior: The document gets stuck on a loading message, preventing the user from interacting with ribbon tabs, changing document modes, or sharing the file.

Before you start

Ensure you have a stable internet connection and verify that you are logged into the correct Microsoft account that originally received the external SharePoint sharing invitation.

Solution 1Recommended

Re-authenticate Your Microsoft Account in Word

Refreshing your login credentials often resolves incomplete sign-in sessions that trigger endless loading loops in cross-tenant environments.

When accessing files from an external organization, the security token authenticating your guest access can expire or fail to load completely. Manually signing in again forces Word to request a fresh token from SharePoint.

Locate the account menu

Open the stuck Word document and look at the upper-right corner of the application window for your profile picture or a sign-in option.

Sign in again

Click the sign-in option and re-enter the email address and password associated with the external organization's SharePoint access.

Quick Check: If successful, the ribbon tabs will immediately become clickable and the loading message will disappear.

Solution 2

Contact the External SharePoint Administrator

If re-authentication fails, the issue is likely rooted in the external organization's SharePoint sharing policies or permission configurations.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for Seamless and Fast Document Collaboration

If you frequently encounter frustrating authentication loops, permission errors, and loading delays with Microsoft SharePoint, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible, and completely free alternative for creating, editing, and sharing Word documents without complex external permission barriers.

1. Download the software: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the free download button to get the installer for your operating system.
2. Install WPS Office: Run the downloaded file and follow the quick on-screen instructions to install the suite.
3. Open and edit your files: Launch WPS Writer and open your .docx files directly from your local drive or preferred cloud storage to experience zero loading delays.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word formats (.docx, .doc), ensuring formatting stays intact.Lightweight architecture ensures documents load instantly without endless cloud authentication loops.Completely free to use with a familiar, easy-to-navigate tabbed interface.Built-in collaborative tools for smooth, hassle-free file sharing across different teams.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Word document get stuck on loading in SharePoint?

This typically occurs due to an expired authentication token, an incomplete cross-tenant sign-in, or restrictive external sharing policies set by the host organization's SharePoint administrator.

Can clearing the Office cache fix the SharePoint loading error?

Yes. If you are using Word for the Web, clearing your browser cache and cookies can resolve stalled sessions. For the desktop app, clearing the Office Document Cache via the 'Options' > 'Save' menu can remove corrupted temporary files causing the loop.

Do I need special permissions to edit a SharePoint document from another organization?

Yes. The host organization's SharePoint administrator must explicitly grant you 'Edit' permissions and generate a secure external sharing link associated with your specific email address.

Document & File Issues