File Sharing Problems

How to Fix Slow and Unsynchronized Shared Excel Files in SharePoint

Maira Mehtab Sep 27, 2026 869 views

Question details

Multiple users are experiencing severe performance issues and data loss when attempting to co-author shared Excel workbooks in SharePoint.

Product: Microsoft Excel / SharePoint
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Multiple users are simultaneously opening and editing a shared Excel workbook hosted on SharePoint.
Observed behavior: The spreadsheets become completely unresponsive, display a persistent "Please stand by, working" message, fail to synchronize across different users' devices, and result in the loss of recent data changes.

Before you start

Verify that all collaborating users have a stable internet connection and are running the most up-to-date version of the Microsoft Excel desktop or web client before escalating the issue.

Solution 1Recommended

Escalate to Microsoft 365 Support for Backend Investigation

Because the synchronization issue affects multiple users and different files across the organization, it requires a backend server investigation by Microsoft 365 Support.

When a co-authoring problem occurs consistently across different files and involves multiple users, standard end-user troubleshooting is rarely effective. The "Please stand by, working" error in this context points to a background synchronization service failure on the SharePoint server.

Community support and local end-users do not have the required administrative permissions or resources to inspect the backend environment. Therefore, the issue must be escalated to your organization's Microsoft 365 Administrator or directly to Microsoft Online Support.

Identify your Administrator

Locate and contact your organization's Microsoft 365 Administrator, which is usually someone in your IT department or technical helpdesk.

Access the Admin Center

Ask the administrator to log into the Microsoft 365 Admin Center using their administrative credentials.

Create a Support Ticket

Navigate to the 'Support' section in the left-hand menu and select 'New service request' to create an Online Support ticket.

Provide Error Details

Provide the support team with specific details, including the "Please stand by, working" error message and the scope of the affected users. The Microsoft support team will then inspect the environment, collect background logs, and troubleshoot the server issue.

Finding your Admin: If you are unsure who your Microsoft 365 Administrator is, consult your company's internal IT portal or contact your local service desk.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for Seamless and Fast Document Collaboration

If you are tired of dealing with slow load times, backend server errors, and synchronization issues in Microsoft Excel and SharePoint, WPS Office offers a free, lightweight, and highly reliable alternative for team collaboration.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free WPS Office suite for your operating system.
2. Upload to WPS Cloud: Sign in to access your free WPS Cloud storage, and upload your existing .xlsx workbooks.
3. Collaborate in Real-Time: Generate a sharing link and send it to your team to start co-authoring instantly, avoiding SharePoint backend delays.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Excel formats (.xlsx, .xls, .csv), ensuring seamless document transition.Lightweight architecture guarantees fast loading times and prevents unresponsive spreadsheets, even for large files.Built-in cloud collaboration tools allow for smooth, real-time co-authoring without "Please stand by" slowdowns.A familiar, intuitive user interface means your team requires no learning curve to switch.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Excel get stuck on the 'Please stand by, working' message in SharePoint?

This message typically appears when Excel is attempting to synchronize data changes with the SharePoint server but encounters network latency, a backend server timeout, or conflicting co-authoring background services.

Can I fix the SharePoint co-authoring sync issue myself?

If the issue only affects a single user, clearing the Office cache or signing out and back in might help. However, if the issue affects multiple users and files, it is a server-side problem that requires a backend investigation by a Microsoft 365 Administrator and cannot be fixed by individual users.

How can I prevent losing recent changes in shared Excel files during a sync error?

To prevent data loss when SharePoint synchronization is unstable, you should regularly save a local copy of your workbook using 'Save As' or download the file directly from SharePoint to your hard drive before making extensive edits.

Document & File Issues