SharePoint Document Issues

Prevent Excel from Changing SharePoint Links to Local Paths

Huma Ashraf Ch Oct 9, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs a way to stop Excel from automatically converting embedded SharePoint links into local file paths when a workbook is emailed as an attachment.

How to Prevent Excel from Changing SharePoint Links to Local Paths

Product: Microsoft Excel
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Sending an Excel workbook that contains embedded SharePoint document links as an offline email attachment to other users.
Observed behavior: Excel automatically changes the SharePoint URLs to local file paths, which breaks the links and prevents recipients from opening the referenced documents.

Before you start

Ensure you have the original SharePoint URLs documented and check if your IT department manages your organization's Microsoft 365 administrative settings, as resolving this may require their assistance.

Solution 1Recommended

Contact Your Microsoft 365 Administrator for Support

Because this link conversion is a known behavior in Microsoft Office, escalating the issue to Microsoft Support through your admin is the most reliable way to find a supported workaround.

Excel sometimes forces link resolution to local sync folders when files are detached from the cloud environment. Disabling the 'Update Links on Save' option is often suggested online, but Microsoft acknowledges it may not reliably prevent this specific behavior in all scenarios.

Identify Your Administrator

Reach out to your organization's IT department or the designated Microsoft 365 Administrator.

Request a Support Ticket

Ask your administrator to log into the Microsoft 365 admin center and create a formal support request regarding Excel converting SharePoint links to local paths.

Apply Microsoft's Workaround

Wait for Microsoft Support to investigate your specific tenant and Office version to provide a tailored, supported workaround for your organization.

Important Note on Link Settings: While you can try going to File > Options > Advanced > Web Options and unchecking 'Update links on save', be aware that this does not guarantee the prevention of local path conversion for offline attachments.

Solution 2

Use Absolute Hyperlinks as a Manual Workaround

Manually inserting absolute hyperlink text instead of relying on embedded object links can sometimes bypass Excel's automatic path conversion.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for Stable Hyperlink Management

If Microsoft Excel's automatic link conversion is disrupting your workflow, consider using WPS Office. It provides excellent compatibility with Microsoft Office formats while offering stable and predictable hyperlink management without unnecessary background path conversions.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website to download and install the free WPS Office suite on your device.
2. Open Your Workbook: Launch WPS Spreadsheets and open your existing .xlsx file containing the SharePoint links.
3. Manage Links Securely: Insert or edit your hyperlinks directly; WPS Office retains your specified URLs securely when saving or sharing files.

100% compatible with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx) formats and documents.Stable handling of hyperlinks and URLs without forced local path conversion.Free, lightweight, and easy to install on multiple operating systems.Familiar spreadsheet interface ensures a seamless transition with no learning curve.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Excel change my SharePoint links to local paths?

This happens because Office attempts to resolve links relative to the file's current location or the user's locally synced OneDrive/SharePoint folders when the file is saved or attached for offline use.

Will unchecking 'Update Links on Save' fix this issue?

Disabling 'Update Links on Save' in Excel's Web Options is a common suggestion, but Microsoft notes that it may not completely prevent the links from converting to local paths in all offline attachment scenarios.

Can recipients open the file if the links change to local paths?

Typically, no. If the link changes to a local path (e.g., C:\Users\Name\...), the recipient's computer will search for the file on their own local hard drive, resulting in a broken link error.

How can I share SharePoint files without Excel breaking the links?

Instead of sending the Excel file as an offline email attachment, consider keeping the Excel workbook hosted on SharePoint or OneDrive and sharing it directly via a cloud sharing link.

Document & File Issues