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How to Fix Incorrect Excel Display in the SharePoint iOS App
Question details
Excel files previewed in the SharePoint iOS app display incorrectly, showing missing text and hidden gridlines.
- Product
- SharePoint iOS App, Microsoft Excel
- Device & OS
- iOS
- Scenario
- Users are attempting to preview view-only Excel spreadsheets directly from a SharePoint document library using an iPhone.
- Observed behavior
- The in-app preview rendering is flawed, displaying absent gridlines, missing text, and incorrect row heights. These same files display perfectly on Android devices, PCs, and Office for the web.
Ensure your SharePoint iOS app is updated to the most recent version from the App Store, and verify if the affected Excel files have view-only permissions that prevent them from being downloaded.
Open Excel Files via Office for the Web
Since the rendering issue is isolated to the SharePoint iOS app's internal previewer, accessing the files through a web browser bypasses the bug.
This workaround is highly effective for files restricted to 'view-only' mode that cannot be downloaded to your local device. Office for the web uses a different rendering engine that displays the formatting correctly.
Launch Safari, Chrome, or your preferred web browser on your iPhone.
Go to your organization's SharePoint URL and sign in using your Office 365 credentials.
Locate the affected Excel spreadsheet in your document library.
Tap the file to open it in Office for the web. The missing text, gridlines, and row heights will now display properly.
Report the Display Bug to Microsoft
Submitting detailed feedback helps the development team identify and patch the iOS previewer bug in future app updates.
Experience Flawless Spreadsheet Viewing with WPS Office
Tired of mobile rendering glitches in built-in preview apps? WPS Office provides a lightweight, free alternative that ensures your spreadsheets display perfectly across all platforms, free from formatting errors.
- 1. Install the app: Download WPS Office for free from the Apple App Store.
- 2. Connect your cloud: Sign in and link your preferred cloud storage to access your documents.
- 3. View without glitches: Open your Excel files and enjoy perfectly rendered formatting and data.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do Excel files look wrong in the SharePoint iOS app but fine elsewhere?
This is caused by a rendering bug specific to the built-in file previewer within the SharePoint iOS application. It does not mean the actual Excel file is corrupted, which is why it displays normally on Android devices, desktop PCs, and Office for the web.
Can I fix the missing gridlines without using a web browser?
If the file is restricted to 'view-only' and cannot be downloaded to your device, opening it via Office for the web in your mobile browser is currently the only reliable workaround until Microsoft releases a patch for the SharePoint app.
Does this display issue affect downloaded Excel files on my iPhone?
No. If you have the correct permissions to download the file to your iPhone and open it in a dedicated spreadsheet application like Microsoft Excel or WPS Office, all formatting, text, and gridlines will display correctly.
Will updating my iOS system version fix the SharePoint preview bug?
Not necessarily. The issue is tied to the SharePoint app's internal preview engine. While keeping your iOS updated is highly recommended for security, you must wait for a specific update to the SharePoint app itself via the App Store to fully resolve the rendering bug.
