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How to Change Default PDF Opening Behavior in SharePoint Online
Question details
Users need a way to stop PDF files stored in SharePoint Online from opening in Adobe Document Cloud by default, preferring to open them in a browser.
- Product
- SharePoint Online
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Accessing, viewing, and printing PDF documents stored in SharePoint Online document libraries.
- Observed behavior
- PDFs automatically open in Adobe Document Cloud instead of the native browser viewer, complicating the printing and viewing process.
Ensure you have Site Administrator or Site Owner permissions for the SharePoint library, as changing default file-handling configurations requires elevated privileges.
Modify Advanced Document Library Settings
Adjust the SharePoint library settings to change the default opening behavior for all users accessing the library.
The default PDF opening behavior is controlled by SharePoint Online and Microsoft 365 tenant settings rather than individual Adobe Reader configurations. Site administrators can modify how documents are handled when users click on them within specific libraries.
Navigate to the SharePoint Online document library where your PDFs are stored. Click on the Settings (gear) icon in the top right corner and select 'Library settings'.
Click on 'More library settings' if prompted, and then select 'Advanced settings' from the General Settings column.
Scroll down to the 'Opening Document in the Browser' section. Change the selection to 'Open in the client application' or 'Open in the browser' depending on your preference, then click 'OK' at the bottom of the page to save your changes.
Manually Choose the Opening Method
Bypass the default behavior on a per-file basis without needing administrator privileges.
Manage and Print PDF Files Seamlessly with WPS Office
If cloud integration issues in SharePoint complicate your PDF workflow, consider managing your downloaded documents with WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative to Microsoft Office, complete with a powerful built-in PDF reader and editor for a seamless offline experience.
- 1. Install WPS Office: Download and install WPS Office Free on your computer.
- 2. Download the File: Select your target PDF file in SharePoint Online and choose 'Download' to save it locally.
- 3. Open with WPS: Right-click the downloaded PDF file, select 'Open with', and choose WPS Office to view and print your document without cloud interference.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do my SharePoint PDFs keep opening in Adobe Document Cloud?
This happens when your organization's IT administrators have deployed the Adobe Acrobat for Microsoft 365 integration. This tenant-level app overrides SharePoint's default native browser viewer for PDF files.
Can individual users change the default PDF viewer in SharePoint?
Generally, default file handlers in SharePoint Online are configured at the tenant or site library level by administrators. Individual users without admin rights cannot change the default click behavior for everyone, but they can manually select 'Open in browser' from the file's context menu.
How do I completely remove the Adobe Document Cloud integration from SharePoint?
A Microsoft 365 Global Administrator must access the Microsoft 365 Admin Center or Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure Active Directory) to revoke the Adobe Document Cloud application permissions and remove it from the tenant's integrated apps list.
