SharePoint Document Issues

Is @Mention Supported in SharePoint Server 2019? Troubleshooting Guide

Chanuka Geekiyanage Oct 9, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to know if the @mention feature is natively supported when collaborating on documents hosted directly on SharePoint Server 2019.

Is the @Mention Feature Supported in SharePoint Server 2019?

Product: SharePoint Server 2019
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Collaborating on Word documents hosted on an on-premises SharePoint Server 2019 environment using the @mention tagging feature.
Observed behavior: The @mention functionality works correctly when files are synchronized locally via OneDrive, but it fails to work when documents are opened directly from SharePoint Server 2019.

Before you start

Before reaching out for support or troubleshooting, identify your specific SharePoint Server build number, your exact Office version, and whether the issue is occurring in the Word desktop app or Word for the Web.

Solution 1Recommended

Seek Confirmation from Microsoft Q&A Server Experts

Because SharePoint Server 2019 is an on-premises product with different capabilities than SharePoint Online, you should post your specific configuration to Microsoft Q&A for definitive verification.

The @mention feature is deeply integrated with Microsoft 365 cloud services. On-premises environments like SharePoint Server 2019 often lack certain cloud-dependent collaboration features natively. Because official support teams typically test these features in SharePoint Online, checking with server-specific engineers is the best approach.

Navigate to Microsoft Q&A

Open your web browser and go to the official Microsoft Q&A platform (learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/).

Create a New Question

Click the 'Ask a question' button and write a detailed description of your @mention issue.

Assign the Correct Tags

In the tags section, specifically add 'SharePoint Server' and 'Office Management' to ensure your question reaches on-premises server engineers rather than cloud support.

Provide Configuration Details

Include your exact SharePoint build number, Office version, document library settings, and specify whether you are trying to use @mentions in Word desktop or Word for the web.

Seek Confirmation from Microsoft Q&A Server Experts

Why post on Microsoft Q&A?: Microsoft Q&A is monitored by specialized server engineers who have access to the exact feature limitations and patch logs for on-premises SharePoint deployments.

Solution 2

Use OneDrive Sync as a Workaround

If native server access does not support @mentions, continue utilizing the OneDrive desktop sync method to bypass the limitation.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Enjoy Seamless Cloud Collaboration with WPS Office

If you are frustrated by the collaboration limitations of on-premises servers like SharePoint 2019, consider switching to WPS Office. It offers a lightweight, modern workspace with built-in cloud collaboration, eliminating the need for complex server deployments just to tag your colleagues.

1. Download the software: Visit the WPS Office website to download and install the free suite.
2. Sign in to WPS Cloud: Create a free account or log in to enable real-time cloud collaboration features.
3. Collaborate easily: Upload your documents to WPS Cloud, invite team members, and start using comments and tags instantly.

Free and lightweight Microsoft Office alternativeBuilt-in WPS Cloud for real-time collaboration and easy @mentions without server setupsFully compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx)Familiar user interface requiring zero learning curve for seamless migration

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do @mentions work in SharePoint Online but not SharePoint Server 2019?

SharePoint Online is a cloud-native platform that continuously receives Microsoft 365 feature updates, including deep integration with Azure Active Directory for @mentions. SharePoint Server 2019 is an on-premises solution with a static baseline feature set, meaning it often lacks cloud-dependent collaboration tools.

Can I use @mentions in the Word desktop app with SharePoint Server?

Generally, the @mention feature in the Word desktop app requires the file to be hosted in a modern cloud environment like SharePoint Online or OneDrive for Business. When connected to a classic on-premises server, the feature is usually disabled unless you sync the files locally via the OneDrive client first.

Where can I find my SharePoint Server 2019 build number?

If you are a SharePoint administrator, you can locate the build number by navigating to SharePoint Central Administration, clicking on 'System Settings', and selecting 'Manage servers in this farm'. The build version will be listed next to your server names.

Document & File Issues