Permission & Access Issues

How to Stop a Second Owner from Being Added to Excel Files

Bushra Parveen Sep 27, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to prevent an unwanted second owner account from being automatically attached to newly created Excel spreadsheets.

How to Stop a Second Owner from Being Added to Excel Files

Product: Microsoft Excel
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Creating and saving new Excel files in OneDrive or SharePoint.
Observed behavior: A second owner is automatically added to the file permissions whenever a new Excel spreadsheet is created, giving an unwanted user ownership access.

Before you start

Ensure you have administrative or owner permissions for your OneDrive or SharePoint site, as modifying site collection users requires elevated access.

Solution 1Recommended

Remove the Unwanted User from OneDrive Site Collection

By deleting the user from the classic OneDrive site permissions, they will no longer inherit default ownership rights for your newly created Excel files.

When files are saved to OneDrive or SharePoint, they inherit permissions from the parent site collection. If another user was inadvertently granted site collection administrator rights, they will automatically become an owner of any new file you create. Removing them from the site collection resolves this.

Open OneDrive Settings

Return to Classic OneDrive

If you are in the modern interface, click on 'Return to classic OneDrive' located in the bottom left corner of the screen.

Access Site Permissions

Click the gear icon again and choose 'Site settings'. Under the 'Users and Permissions' section, click on 'Site permissions' or navigate to the 'People and groups' page.

Delete User from Site Collection

Select the checkbox next to the unwanted second owner's name, click on the 'Actions' dropdown menu, and select 'Delete Users from Site Collection'.

Remove the Unwanted User from OneDrive Site Collection

Verification: Once the user is removed, try creating and saving a new spreadsheet. The file should now save without the second owner appearing automatically.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why is a second owner automatically added to my Excel files?

This typically occurs when a user is listed as a site collection administrator or has default owner permissions set at the OneDrive or SharePoint folder level where the files are being saved. Because files inherit folder permissions, the user gets ownership of every new file.

Will deleting a user from the site collection delete their personal files?

No. Removing a user from your OneDrive site collection only revokes their access and ownership rights to your files and directories. It does not affect or delete data within their own personal OneDrive.

How do I check who currently has access to my Excel spreadsheet?

You can verify file permissions by right-clicking the specific Excel file in OneDrive, selecting 'Manage Access', and reviewing the list of users and their assigned permission levels (e.g., Owner, Can edit, Can view).

Document & File Issues