SharePoint Document Issues

How to Open SharePoint and OneDrive Excel Files in the Desktop App

Khadija Khan Oct 8, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to configure SharePoint and OneDrive so that clicking on online links opens Excel files directly in the local desktop application instead of the web browser.

How to Open SharePoint and OneDrive Excel Files in the Desktop App

Product: Microsoft SharePoint and OneDrive
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Accessing and managing Excel files hosted on SharePoint or OneDrive via online links within a large organizational setup.
Observed behavior: By default, clicking the document links opens the Excel files in the web browser, which is not the desired behavior for the user or organization.

Before you start

Ensure you have the appropriate site permissions (such as Site Owner or Full Control) to modify the Library Settings in your SharePoint or OneDrive for Business environment.

Solution 1Recommended

Configure SharePoint Library to Open Documents in Client Application

Modify the advanced settings of a specific SharePoint document library to force all files to open in the desktop app by default.

This method changes the default opening behavior for all users accessing the specific document library. It is highly effective for individual libraries but must be applied on a per-library basis.

Access Library Settings

Navigate to your SharePoint document library, click the Settings gear icon in the top right corner, and select 'Library Settings'.

Open Advanced Settings

Click on 'More Library Settings' to access the full configuration menu, then click on 'Advanced Settings' under the General Settings section.

Change the Default Open Behavior

Scroll down to find the 'Opening Documents in the Browser' section and select the 'Open in the client application' radio button.

Save Changes

Scroll to the bottom of the page and click 'OK' to save your configuration.

Configure SharePoint Library to Open Documents in Client Application

Library-Wide Application: This setting applies to all users of this specific library. SharePoint does not provide an out-of-the-box setting to enforce this for only one specific user.

Solution 2

Adjust Settings in OneDrive for Business

Change your OneDrive for Business configuration to ensure Excel documents open in the local desktop application.

Solution 3

Organization-Wide Configuration for IT Admins

For organizations managing hundreds of SharePoint sites, manually changing each library is impractical.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why do SharePoint links open in the browser by default?

Microsoft defaults to opening Office files in the web browser to facilitate real-time collaboration and quick viewing, ensuring users can access documents even if they do not have the desktop application installed.

Can I force SharePoint files to open in the desktop app for just one user?

No, SharePoint does not provide a built-in setting to enforce desktop app opening for a single user across the board. The 'Open in the client application' setting is configured at the library level and applies to all users accessing that specific library.

Does opening a file in the browser affect its version history?

Yes, opening a file in the web browser can sometimes automatically add the user's name to the file's version history. Opening the file in the desktop application and closing it without saving helps prevent this issue.

How can I apply this setting to hundreds of SharePoint sites at once?

Manually updating settings on hundreds of sites via the UI is impractical. It is recommended to use the SharePoint Online Management Shell (PowerShell) to script bulk changes, or consult Microsoft Q&A for advanced tenant-wide configurations.

Document & File Issues