Office for Mac Issues

Fix Word for Mac Repeatedly Showing Sign-In Required for Shared OneDrive Files

Algirdas Jasaitis Oct 1, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user experiences a recurring 'Sign-In Required' message in Word and Excel for Mac when accessing files in a shared OneDrive folder, despite the files saving successfully.

Fix Word for Mac Repeatedly Showing Sign-In Required for Shared OneDrive Files

Product: Word for Mac, Excel for Mac, OneDrive
Device & OS: macOS
Scenario: Collaborating on or editing documents stored in a shared OneDrive folder using Microsoft Office applications on a Mac.
Observed behavior: A persistent 'Sign-In Required' prompt continually interrupts the user's workflow on shared files, even though personal OneDrive files are unaffected and previous credentials have been cleared.

Before you start

Ensure you have a stable internet connection and verify with the folder owner that your Microsoft account still has active 'Edit' permissions for the shared OneDrive folder.

Solution 1Recommended

Clear Office Keychain Credentials and Restart

Removing corrupted or cached Microsoft Office credentials from the macOS Keychain often resolves authentication conflicts with shared OneDrive folders.

MacOS stores application authentication tokens in Keychain Access. If the token for a shared folder becomes corrupted, Word will repeatedly ask for sign-in verification even if your personal OneDrive is working perfectly.

Close Office Applications

Fully quit Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneDrive on your Mac by right-clicking their icons in the Dock and selecting 'Quit'.

Open Keychain Access

Go to Applications > Utilities on your Mac and open the 'Keychain Access' app.

Delete Microsoft Office Credentials

In the search bar at the top right, type 'Microsoft Office'. Select all returned entries, right-click them, and choose 'Delete'. Confirm the deletion.

Restart and Sign In

Restart your Mac, open Microsoft Word, and sign in again with your Microsoft credentials when prompted.

Clear Office Keychain Credentials and Restart

Contact Microsoft Support: If clearing the Keychain does not stop the prompt loop, use the 'Help' > 'Feedback' option within Word to report the issue directly to Microsoft, as this is a known synchronization bug.

Solution 2

Temporarily Disable OneDrive AutoSave

Turning off AutoSave can temporarily stop the prompt loop if the issue is caused by constant background syncing errors.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for Mac for Seamless Document Editing

If Microsoft Word for Mac continues to interrupt your workflow with recurring sign-in prompts on shared files, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative for opening and editing your files without encountering Office-specific syncing bugs.

1. Download WPS Office: Download and install WPS Office for Mac from the official WPS website.
2. Open the Shared File: Launch WPS Office and open your .docx or .xlsx files directly from your local drive or synced folders.
3. Edit Without Interruptions: Enjoy smooth, uninterrupted editing with full Microsoft format compatibility and save your progress effortlessly.

Free and lightweight Microsoft Office alternative for macOS.Fully compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx) and Excel (.xlsx) file formats.Reliable local and cloud file handling without repetitive sign-in loops.Familiar user interface that requires no learning curve to master.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Word for Mac only ask for sign-in on shared OneDrive files?

Shared folders use different permission tokens than personal files. If the local cache gets corrupted or Office fails to refresh the token properly on macOS, it will repeatedly prompt for authentication even if your personal files sync correctly.

Will I lose my work if the sign-in prompt keeps appearing?

In most cases, the files continue saving in the background despite the prompt. However, it is highly recommended to manually save a local copy to your Mac's desktop to prevent accidental data loss until the synchronization issue is resolved.

How do I submit feedback to Microsoft about this shared folder bug?

Open Word for Mac, go to the 'Help' menu at the very top of the screen, and select 'Feedback' or 'Contact Support'. Describe the recurring sign-in issue, explicitly mentioning that it only affects shared OneDrive folders.

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