SharePoint Document Issues

How to Open an Excel Workbook Larger Than 100 MB from SharePoint

Anum Mushtaq Oct 13, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to open and edit an Excel workbook larger than 100 MB stored in SharePoint or OneDrive.

How to Open an Excel Workbook Larger Than 100 MB from SharePoint

Product: Microsoft Excel / SharePoint
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Trying to open a large Excel file for editing directly from a cloud storage platform like SharePoint or OneDrive.
Observed behavior: The standard 'Open in desktop app' option appears to be missing when attempting to view or edit the large file.

Before you start

Ensure you have a desktop spreadsheet application installed on your computer and that you are logged into the same account used for your SharePoint or OneDrive access.

Solution 1Recommended

Use the 'Open in app' Command from the Context Menu

Bypass the missing desktop app button by using the file's context menu directly within the SharePoint or OneDrive document library.

Excel for the Web has file size limitations for viewing and editing. To work on workbooks exceeding 100 MB, you must force the file to open in your desktop client via the document library interface.

Locate the file

Navigate to your SharePoint document library or OneDrive folder where the large Excel workbook is stored.

Open the context menu

Select the file by clicking on it once, then click the three-dot (More) menu next to the file name, or right-click the file directly.

Select Open in app

From the dropdown menu, choose 'Open', and then select 'Open in app'. This will launch the file in your desktop spreadsheet application for editing.

Use the 'Open in app' Command from the Context Menu

Edit and Sync: Any edits made in the desktop application will automatically sync back to SharePoint or OneDrive as long as AutoSave is enabled.

Solution 2

Opening the File from a Shared Link

If you were only provided a direct link to the large Excel file, you must first access it in the web interface to trigger the desktop application.

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1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website to download and install the free WPS Office suite.
2. Download the large file: Download your large Excel file from SharePoint directly to your local computer.
3. Open and edit: Launch WPS Spreadsheets and open the downloaded file to edit it smoothly without browser limitations.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why can't I open an Excel file larger than 100 MB in the browser?

Excel for the Web has strict file size limits for viewing and editing to ensure server performance and stability. Files exceeding this limit must be opened in a robust desktop application.

Can I edit a large SharePoint Excel file if I don't have Microsoft Office installed?

Yes, you can download the file to your local computer and open it using a compatible alternative spreadsheet program like WPS Office, which handles large Excel formats natively.

What if the 'Open in app' option is still missing after right-clicking?

This may occur if your organization's SharePoint administrator has restricted desktop app access, or if you don't have the correct desktop client associated with your browser. Try downloading a local copy of the file to edit.

Document & File Issues