Fix Cannot Open Network Hyperlinks in Excel on Android Tablet
Question details
Users are unable to open hyperlinks to local network shares or mapped drives using Excel on an Android tablet, even when connected to the same network.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel
- Device & OS
- Android
- Scenario
- Clicking a hyperlink inside a spreadsheet to access a file or folder hosted on a local network share.
- Observed behavior
- The hyperlink fails to open, or Excel alters the link path upon saving on the desktop, rendering the network link unreadable on the Android device.
Ensure your Android tablet is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as the shared drive, and have access to the desktop version of Excel to adjust your workbook's saving preferences.
Disable Automatic Link Updating in Excel Desktop
Excel automatically updates hyperlinks when saving, which can break local network paths when viewed on Android. Disabling this prevents the path from changing.
By default, the desktop version of Excel will attempt to update links when saving a document. While helpful for local desktop file management, it often corrupts network and UNC paths when the file is subsequently opened on an Android device.
Launch the desktop version of Excel, open your workbook, and navigate to File > Options.
Click on the 'Advanced' tab on the left sidebar, scroll down to the 'General' section, and click the 'Web Options' button.
In the Web Options dialog, go to the 'Files' tab and uncheck the box that says 'Update links on save'.
Click OK to apply the changes, save the workbook, and transfer it back to your Android tablet to test the hyperlinks.
Migrate Linked Files to Cloud Storage
Because Excel for Android has native limitations with opening local network or mapped-drive UNC paths, moving your linked files to a web-accessible cloud service ensures hyperlinks work seamlessly on mobile.
Try WPS Office for a Seamless Mobile Experience
If you frequently encounter compatibility issues or broken links with your current mobile spreadsheet app, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative for handling spreadsheets and managing documents seamlessly on Android tablets and other mobile devices.
- 1. Install the App: Download and install WPS Office from the Google Play Store on your Android tablet.
- 2. Sign In for Cloud Access: Log in with your email or third-party account to connect directly to your preferred cloud storage services.
- 3. Open Your Spreadsheets: Open your existing Excel workbooks and enjoy seamless mobile spreadsheet viewing and editing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Excel change my hyperlink paths automatically?
By default, the desktop version of Excel has a setting called 'Update links on save' enabled. This feature attempts to manage relative and absolute paths but often incorrectly alters UNC network paths, which breaks them when the file is transferred to a mobile device like an Android tablet.
Can Excel for Android open mapped drive paths?
Generally, Excel for Android does not support opening local network mapped drives or UNC paths natively due to Android's OS limitations. It is highly recommended to use web-accessible paths like SharePoint or OneDrive for mobile hyperlink compatibility.
How do I fix hyperlinks that have already been broken?
You will need to open the workbook on a desktop computer, disable the 'Update links on save' setting in Web Options, and then manually edit the broken hyperlinks to restore the correct network path or replace them with a reliable cloud URL.
