SharePoint Document Issues

How to Fix Excel Stuck Uploading Most Recent Changes to SharePoint

Elise Williams Sep 27, 2026 869 views

Question details

Users are encountering a continuous uploading message when trying to synchronize local Excel workbook changes with a SharePoint server.

Fix Excel Stuck Uploading Most Recent Changes to SharePoint

Product: Microsoft Excel
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to save and synchronize edits made in the desktop Excel application to a workbook hosted on SharePoint or Microsoft 365.
Observed behavior: Excel displays the message 'Excel is uploading your most recent changes' but gets stuck, failing to complete the synchronization between the desktop application and Excel for the web.

Before you start

Before proceeding with troubleshooting, immediately use the 'Save As' function to save a local copy of your workbook to your computer to prevent losing any unsynced data.

Solution 1Recommended

Verify File Permissions and Check for File Locks

Ensure you have the necessary edit permissions in SharePoint and that the file is not locked by another user's session.

SharePoint synchronization can stall if your access permissions have recently changed or if another user is currently editing the file in a way that creates a synchronization conflict.

Check SharePoint permissions

Log into your SharePoint environment through your web browser, navigate to the document library containing the workbook, and verify that your account has 'Edit' or 'Contribute' permissions for the specific file.

Look for conflicting check-outs

In the SharePoint document library, check if the file has a green arrow icon next to it, indicating it is checked out by another user. If it is, ask that user to check the file back in.

Clear Office Document Cache

Open the Microsoft Office Upload Center (or go to File > Options > Save in Excel) and choose the option to delete cached files, which can force Excel to start a fresh synchronization attempt.

Verify File Permissions and Check for File Locks

Co-authoring Conflicts: If multiple people are editing the file simultaneously, Excel may struggle to merge complex changes. Have all other users close the workbook temporarily to see if the upload completes.

Solution 2

Contact Microsoft 365 IT Administrator

Report the synchronization failure to your IT department, as it may be caused by a broader server-side issue or a Microsoft Cloud outage.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Switch to WPS Office for Reliable and Lightweight Document Management

If you are tired of dealing with SharePoint synchronization errors or bloated software, consider switching to WPS Office. It is a completely free, fast, and highly compatible alternative to Microsoft Office that includes its own reliable cloud storage for easy file syncing.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free desktop application for your operating system.
2. Open your Excel files: Launch WPS Spreadsheets and directly open your existing .xlsx workbooks without needing any file conversion.
3. Sync with WPS Cloud: Enable WPS Cloud backup to automatically and reliably save your latest changes across all your devices.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx, .xls) and other Office formats.Includes reliable, built-in WPS Cloud storage to prevent sync stalling.Lightweight design ensures fast loading and smooth operation on any PC.Familiar user interface makes transitioning from Microsoft Office effortless.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Excel get stuck uploading to SharePoint?

This issue typically occurs due to poor network connectivity, corrupted Office document cache, conflicting edits from another user, or temporary server-side outages in the Microsoft 365 cloud.

How do I save my work if Excel won't upload changes?

You should navigate to File > Save As and choose a local folder on your computer's hard drive to save a copy. This guarantees your recent edits are preserved until the SharePoint connection is restored.

Will clearing my Office cache delete my files?

No, clearing the Office document cache only removes temporary files used to manage synchronization. It does not delete your actual workbooks, but you should ensure you have saved a local copy of any unsynced changes before doing so.

Document & File Issues