How to Fix SharePoint Excel Hyperlinks Failing on Android
Question details
Users need to prevent Excel from converting SharePoint URLs into relative paths so that the links function properly when the workbook is opened on an Android mobile device.
- Product
- Excel
- Device & OS
- Android
- Scenario
- Clicking a SharePoint document hyperlink inside an Excel workbook using the Android Excel or Microsoft 365 mobile app.
- Observed behavior
- Excel automatically rewrites the SharePoint workbook links as relative paths upon saving. These rewritten links successfully open in the desktop version of Excel but fail to redirect or open correctly on Android apps.
Make sure you have copied the complete absolute URL of your SharePoint file and that you are editing the workbook from your desktop computer before adjusting the hyperlink format.
Use the HYPERLINK Function to Prevent Link Rewriting
Using Excel's built-in HYPERLINK formula forces the software to treat the web address as a static text string, preventing the automatic conversion into a relative path.
By default, Excel attempts to be helpful by updating absolute URLs to relative paths when saving files hosted on SharePoint or OneDrive. Unfortunately, the Android version of the Excel app often fails to resolve these relative paths.
Wrapping the URL inside a formula stops this automatic behavior and ensures the exact web address is passed to the Android browser or app.
Navigate to your file in SharePoint via your web browser, click 'Share' or 'Copy Link', and ensure you have the full URL (e.g., https://DOMAIN.sharepoint.com/workshop/...).
Open the target Excel file where you want to insert the link.
Select an empty cell and type the formula using this syntax: =HYPERLINK("Your_SharePoint_URL", "Friendly Display Name"). Ensure you enclose both the URL and the display name in double quotation marks.
Press Enter to apply the formula. Save your workbook, sync it, and then open the file using the Excel or Microsoft 365 app on your Android device to test the link.
Switch to WPS Office for Reliable Cross-Platform Link Handling
If Microsoft Excel's automatic link rewriting continues to break your SharePoint links on mobile, try WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative for seamless spreadsheet editing across desktop and Android devices without unexpected link alterations.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Install WPS Office on your desktop and Android device from the official website or Google Play Store.
- 2. Open your spreadsheet: Launch WPS Spreadsheet and open your XLSX file.
- 3. Test your hyperlinks safely: Click on your SharePoint links; WPS handles standard spreadsheet functions consistently across platforms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do my SharePoint links work on PC but not on my Android phone?
Excel desktop apps can successfully resolve 'relative paths' (shortened internal links) that are generated when saving files to SharePoint. However, the Android mobile app frequently struggles to interpret these shortened paths, resulting in broken links.
What is the difference between an absolute and relative path in Excel?
An absolute path is the complete, full web address (e.g., https://domain.com/folder/file.xlsx). A relative path is a shortened version that only gives directions based on the current workbook's folder location, which can easily break if the file is moved or opened on a different operating system.
Can I permanently disable Excel from updating links on save?
Yes, on the desktop version of Excel, you can go to File > Options > Advanced > Web Options > Files tab, and uncheck 'Update links on save'. However, using the HYPERLINK function is generally a safer and more universally reliable workaround for mobile users.
Will the HYPERLINK formula work if I open the file in WPS Office?
Yes. The HYPERLINK function is a standard spreadsheet formula that is fully supported in WPS Office. Your links will remain intact and functional whether you open the file on WPS Office for Windows, Mac, or Android.
