File Sharing Problems

How to Share an Excel Workbook for Editing Without an Account

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to share an Excel workbook with another person for collaborative editing without requiring the recipient to have or sign in to a Microsoft account.

Product: Microsoft Excel
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Collaborating on a shared spreadsheet where the recipient does not have a registered second account.
Observed behavior: The user needs to generate an open sharing link with edit permissions so the recipient can modify the file directly in a web browser anonymously.

Before you start

Ensure your Excel workbook is saved to your OneDrive account and check if your organization's security policies allow sharing anonymous editing links.

Solution 1Recommended

Share an Excel Workbook using a OneDrive Edit Link

Upload your file to OneDrive and generate an open sharing link. This allows the recipient to edit the file in Excel for the web without signing in.

By using the 'Anyone with the link can edit' permission, you can collaborate in real-time. Note that this method is best for non-sensitive data, as anyone who receives or intercepts the link can access and modify the file.

Upload to OneDrive

Open Sharing Options

Right-click the uploaded workbook and select 'Share' from the context menu.

Configure Permissions

Click on the link settings and select 'Anyone with the link'. Check the box for 'Allow editing' and click 'Apply'.

Copy and Send the Link

Click 'Copy link' and send this URL to your coworker. They can now open and edit the file in free Excel for the web without signing in.

Security Tip: If the workbook contains sensitive information, consider using a named-account share to track user edits and enforce stricter access security.

Collaborate Easily with WPS Office

Co-edit Spreadsheets Effortlessly with WPS Office

WPS Office provides built-in cloud storage and seamless file sharing features. You can easily generate an edit link for your spreadsheets, allowing colleagues to collaborate in real-time without needing a complicated setup or paid subscription.

1. Open the Spreadsheet in WPS: Launch WPS Office and open the spreadsheet file you want to collaborate on.
2. Click the Share Button: Click the 'Share' button located in the top right corner of the spreadsheet interface.
3. Create an Edit Link: Select the 'Anyone with the link' option and set the permission dropdown to 'Editor', then click 'Create Link'.
4. Share with Collaborators: Copy the generated link and send it to your team. They can click the link to start co-editing the file immediately.

Generate shareable links with custom edit or view permissions instantly.Fully compatible with Microsoft Excel formats (.xlsx, .xls, .csv).Real-time co-editing and automatic synchronization via WPS Cloud.Lightweight application with a familiar, easy-to-use interface.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why can't I select the 'Anyone with the link' option in OneDrive?

If you are using a work or school account, your organization's IT administrator may have disabled anonymous sharing for security reasons. In this case, you must share directly with specific email addresses.

Can I see who is making edits if they don't sign in?

When using an anonymous 'Anyone with the link' edit share, the collaborator will typically appear as a 'Guest Contributor' rather than displaying their actual name, making tracking difficult.

Does the recipient need to download Excel to edit the shared file?

No, the recipient can open and edit the workbook directly in their web browser using Excel for the web, without needing to install the desktop application.

How can I stop sharing the Excel workbook later?

You can revoke access at any time by going to your OneDrive, right-clicking the shared file, selecting 'Manage Access', and deleting the sharing link you previously created.

Document & File Issues