'%3e%3cpath%20d='M8%200C12.4183%200%2016%203.58172%2016%208C16%2012.4183%2012.4183%2016%208%2016C3.58172%2016%200%2012.4183%200%208C0%203.58172%203.58172%200%208%200ZM11.6162%204.38379C11.2257%203.99337%2010.5927%203.99338%2010.2021%204.38379L8%206.58594L5.79785%204.38379C5.40732%203.99334%204.77429%203.99329%204.38379%204.38379C3.99331%204.77429%203.99335%205.40733%204.38379%205.79785L6.58594%208L4.38379%2010.2021C3.99348%2010.5927%203.99341%2011.2257%204.38379%2011.6162C4.77426%2012.0066%205.40734%2012.0065%205.79785%2011.6162L8%209.41406L10.2021%2011.6162C10.5927%2012.0066%2011.2257%2012.0067%2011.6162%2011.6162C12.0067%2011.2257%2012.0066%2010.5927%2011.6162%2010.2021L9.41406%208L11.6162%205.79785C12.0066%205.40735%2012.0066%204.77429%2011.6162%204.38379Z'%20fill='%23080E17'%20fill-opacity='0.46'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3cdefs%3e%3cclipPath%20id='clip0_3761_713'%3e%3crect%20width='16'%20height='16'%20fill='white'/%3e%3c/clipPath%3e%3c/defs%3e%3c/svg%3e)
How to Open Excel and Word Web Files in Separate PWA Windows
Question details
The user is looking for a way to force Microsoft Excel and Word web applications to open individual files in separate Progressive Web App (PWA) windows rather than opening them as new tabs in the Microsoft Edge browser.
- Product
- Microsoft 365 Web Apps
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Multitasking with multiple Microsoft Office web files and wanting dedicated PWA windows for each document instead of cluttering the browser with tabs.
- Observed behavior
- By default, when opening Excel or Word files online, they launch in standard Microsoft Edge tabs instead of dedicated, independent PWA windows.
Ensure you have already installed the Microsoft 365 web portal as a Progressive Web App (PWA) via Microsoft Edge by navigating to the site, clicking the browser menu, and selecting 'Apps' > 'Install this site as an app'.
Understanding the PWA Limitation and Seeking Developer Workarounds
Learn about the current limitations of Microsoft 365 web apps regarding PWA window management and where to find advanced deployment advice.
Currently, Microsoft 365 does not feature a built-in user setting that forces Office web apps to open files in separate PWA windows instead of Microsoft Edge tabs. The default behavior of the web environment is to direct document links to new browser tabs.
Since standard user configurations cannot change this behavior, enterprise users or developers may need to look into advanced custom deployments.
Understand that clicking a Word or Excel file link in your browser or standard web portal will natively default to opening a new tab in Microsoft Edge.
To keep your workspace within a PWA, open the Microsoft 365 PWA first, then use the internal recent files list or OneDrive integration to navigate to your documents directly within that single PWA window.
If you require a strict multi-window PWA environment for your organization, visit the Microsoft Q&A platform. Post your specific use case using the 'Office Development' or 'Office Management' tags to see if any custom scripts or enterprise policies have been recently developed.
Switch to WPS Office for Superior Window and Tab Management
If you are frustrated by browser limitations and want complete control over how your documents open, consider switching to the WPS Office desktop application. It bypasses web app constraints entirely, allowing you to easily organize files into custom tabs or tear them off into independent windows.
- 1. Download the software: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free desktop application for your operating system.
- 2. Install WPS Office: Run the installer and follow the on-screen prompts to set up the software on your computer.
- 3. Manage windows seamlessly: Open your Excel and Word files in WPS Office. You can easily click and drag a document's tab out of the main window to instantly create a separate, independent workspace.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I force Microsoft Edge to open all web links inside my installed PWA?
Edge attempts to open links related to a PWA within the app if configured by the developer, but Microsoft 365 document links typically bypass this and open in standard tabs. There is no standard Edge setting to override this specific Office web file behavior.
How do I install Microsoft 365 as a PWA in Edge?
Open Microsoft Edge and go to Microsoft365.com. Log in, click the three-dot menu (...) in the top-right corner of the browser, hover over 'Apps', and select 'Install this site as an app'.
Is there a registry edit to make Excel web open in separate PWA windows?
No, there are currently no officially supported Windows registry edits that can change how the web versions of Microsoft Office interact with Edge PWA window handling. It is a limitation of the web app's architecture.
How can I open Excel files in the desktop app instead of the browser by default?
If you are opening files from OneDrive or SharePoint online, you can change the default open behavior. Go to your SharePoint library settings, select 'Advanced settings', and under 'Opening Documents in the Browser', select 'Open in the client application'.
