How to Fix SharePoint Excel File Opens in View Only Mode
Question details
Users with edit permissions find that an Excel (XLSX) file hosted on SharePoint opens in 'View Only' mode in the web browser.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel, SharePoint Online
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to edit a shared Excel file in SharePoint using Excel for the Web.
- Observed behavior
- The file opens in View Only mode, preventing any edits, despite the user having administrator or edit permissions on SharePoint.
Verify that your Microsoft 365 account has the correct edit permissions for the specific SharePoint document library and that your internet connection is stable.
Open the File in the Excel Desktop Application
Excel for the Web does not support editing password-protected workbooks. You must open them in the desktop application to bypass the View Only restriction.
If a workbook is encrypted or password-protected to restrict editing, the browser version of Excel cannot process the security requirements. The file will default to View Only mode even if you are an administrator.
Navigate to your SharePoint document library and click on the Excel file. It will open in the browser in View Only mode.
On the ribbon at the top of the browser window, look for and click the 'Open in Desktop App' or 'Viewing' > 'Open in Desktop App' button.
Once the local Excel application launches, enter the file's password if prompted, and click 'Enable Editing' in the yellow warning bar at the top.
Check In or Discard Document Check Out
If another user has checked out the document, it becomes locked for editing by others and will open in View Only mode.
Edit Spreadsheets Smoothly with WPS Office
Avoid browser compatibility issues and locked web files by using WPS Office. It provides a robust, lightweight desktop environment to edit all your XLSX files with full Microsoft Excel compatibility.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Download and install WPS Office for free from the official website.
- 2. Download your file: Download the restricted Excel file from your SharePoint library to your local computer.
- 3. Edit without restrictions: Open the file directly in WPS Spreadsheet to enjoy full editing capabilities without web-based View Only limitations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my Excel file open in View Only mode in the browser?
Excel for the Web restricts editing for files that are password-protected, encrypted, or contain unsupported features like legacy macros. Such files default to View Only mode in SharePoint or OneDrive.
How do I know if a SharePoint file is checked out by someone else?
In the SharePoint document library, a checked-out file displays a small icon with a green downward-pointing arrow overlay. You can hover over the file to see which user currently has it checked out.
Can multiple people edit an Excel file in SharePoint simultaneously?
Yes, SharePoint supports co-authoring, allowing multiple users to edit the same Excel file at once, provided the file is not checked out, password-protected, or containing unsupported elements.
What happens if I discard a checkout on SharePoint?
Discarding a checkout reverts the document to its last saved state before it was checked out. Any unsaved changes made by the person who had it checked out will be permanently lost.
