Office for Mac Issues

Fix OneDrive Files Taking Several Minutes to Open on Mac

Huda Qurayshi Oct 12, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user is experiencing significant delays where files saved to both local Mac storage and OneDrive take several minutes to open.

How to Fix OneDrive Files Taking Several Minutes to Open on Mac

Product: Microsoft Office for Mac, OneDrive
Device & OS: macOS
Scenario: Opening documents synchronized with OneDrive using Microsoft Office applications on a Mac.
Observed behavior: Files are opening very slowly, taking several minutes to load, potentially due to OneDrive sync processes, large file sizes, conflicting Office add-ins, or corrupted Mac user profiles.

Before you start

Ensure your Mac has a strong and stable internet connection, as ongoing background synchronization with OneDrive heavily relies on network stability and can delay file access.

Solution 1Recommended

Verify OneDrive Synchronization and File Characteristics

Check if background synchronization is complete and determine if the issue is limited to large or complex files.

When files are configured for both local storage and cloud access, Office may attempt to verify the latest version from the server. If a file is exceptionally large or contains many images, this process will take longer.

Check OneDrive sync status

Click the OneDrive cloud icon in your Mac menu bar. Ensure it says 'Up to date' and that no files are currently stuck in a syncing state.

Evaluate file complexity

Check if the affected files are unusually large, contain multiple high-resolution pictures, or have thousands of rows (in Excel). Try opening a smaller, simpler file to compare load times.

Test with a new blank file

Open Word or Excel, create a brand new blank document, and save it to OneDrive. Close and reopen it to see if the slow opening issue occurs with completely clean files.

Verify OneDrive Synchronization and File Characteristics

File Specific Issues: If only large files or specific file types are affected, the delay is likely caused by the file size rather than an application error.

Solution 2

Test Files in the Office Web App and Verify App Version

Isolate the issue by checking if the files open normally in a web browser and ensuring your local Office applications are up to date.

Solution 3

Create a New Mac User Profile

Test Microsoft Office and OneDrive on a fresh macOS user account to rule out corrupted profile preferences or conflicting background applications.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Experience Faster File Loading with WPS Office for Mac

If Microsoft Office continues to struggle with slow load times when opening cloud-synced files on your Mac, consider switching to WPS Office. It is a highly optimized, lightweight alternative that bypasses heavy background sync delays, allowing you to open and edit your documents instantly.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free WPS Office installer designed for macOS.
2. Install the Application: Open the downloaded file and follow the simple on-screen instructions to install WPS Office on your Mac.
3. Open Your Files Instantly: Launch WPS Office and directly open your local or cloud-stored files to experience significantly faster loading times.

Lightweight application design ensures files open instantly without long sync delays.Fully compatible with Microsoft Office formats, including DOCX, XLSX, and PPTX.Built-in WPS Cloud offers reliable, high-speed synchronization tailored for seamless macOS performance.Free to use with a clean, intuitive, and familiar user interface.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is OneDrive taking so long to open files on my Mac?

This delay is usually caused by ongoing background synchronization attempts, excessively large file sizes, complex document elements (like thousands of rows or high-res images), conflicting Office add-ins, or temporary network latency.

How can I tell if an Office add-in is causing the slow opening?

You can isolate add-in issues by launching your Mac in Safe Mode or temporarily disabling add-ins within the Office application's settings. If the files suddenly open quickly, a third-party add-in is likely interfering with the process.

Can a corrupted Mac user profile affect OneDrive performance?

Yes, corrupted system preferences, outdated cache files, or restrictive background permissions in your specific Mac user profile can block OneDrive from communicating efficiently with Microsoft Office, leading to severe loading delays.

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