OneDrive File Issues

How to Unlink OneDrive from Mac and Microsoft Office Apps

Olivia Miller Sep 28, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to completely unlink their OneDrive account from a Mac and ensure it is also disconnected from all Microsoft Office applications.

How to Unlink OneDrive from a Mac and Office Apps

Product: OneDrive, Microsoft Office
Device & OS: Mac
Scenario: Removing cloud storage access and account connections from an untrusted or shared Mac device to protect personal data.
Observed behavior: Unlinking the OneDrive client does not automatically sign out Microsoft Office applications, leaving cloud files accessible on the device.

Before you start

Ensure that all your local offline files are fully synced to the cloud before unlinking, as unsaved local changes might be lost when the connection is severed.

Solution 1Recommended

Sign Out of Office Applications and Remove Connected Storage

Manually signing out of your Microsoft account within Office apps is necessary because unlinking the Mac OneDrive app does not affect Office's built-in cloud connections.

Unlinking a device in the macOS OneDrive client only stops system-level folder synchronization. Microsoft Office applications maintain an independent connection to OneDrive and must be disconnected separately.

Open a Microsoft Office App

Launch any Microsoft Office application, such as Word, Excel, or PowerPoint on the Mac.

Sign Out of the Application

Click on the application name (e.g., 'Word') in the top menu bar and select 'Sign Out', or click on your profile picture/initials in the application window to sign out of your Microsoft account.

Remove Connected Services

Navigate to the 'Open' menu within the Office app. Look at the connected storage locations listed on the left sidebar.

Disconnect OneDrive

Select your OneDrive account from the storage list and click the minus (-) button or select 'Remove' to successfully disconnect it from the Office app.

Sign Out of Office Applications and Remove Connected Storage

Account Removed: Your OneDrive files will no longer be accessible directly through the Office application's interface on this Mac.

Solution 2

Revoke Active Sessions Remotely

If you no longer have physical access to the Mac, you can revoke access to your OneDrive and Office apps remotely through your Microsoft account security settings.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Switch to WPS Office for Easier Cloud File Management

Managing complex account connections across different Microsoft Office apps can be tedious. WPS Office provides a lightweight, unified workspace that makes managing local and cloud files simple, fast, and secure.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the Mac version for free.
2. Install and Launch: Run the installer, open WPS Office, and enjoy a unified document workspace.
3. Open Your Files: Easily open your existing .docx, .xlsx, and .pptx files with zero formatting loss.

Free and lightweight alternative to Microsoft Office for MacHighly compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint formatsAll-in-one interface to manage documents, spreadsheets, and PDFs without juggling multiple appsSeamless and straightforward cloud storage integration

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my OneDrive files still showing in Word for Mac after unlinking the OneDrive app?

Unlinking the macOS OneDrive client only stops the system-level folder synchronization. Microsoft Office applications maintain their own independent cloud connections. You must manually sign out from within the Office app to remove access to your files.

Will I lose my files if I unlink OneDrive from my Mac?

No, unlinking your account only stops synchronization. Your files remain safely stored in your cloud OneDrive account. However, locally downloaded copies may remain on the Mac's hard drive unless manually deleted.

Can I remotely unlink my OneDrive from a Mac I no longer have access to?

Yes, you can secure your account remotely by logging into your Microsoft account online, navigating to the Advanced Security options, and selecting the option to sign out of all devices. Changing your password afterward ensures complete disconnection.

Document & File Issues