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Office for Mac Issues

How to Unsync OneDrive and SharePoint from Word on Mac

Camila MilosovichCamila Milosovich Sep 28, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to disconnect or reset conflicting OneDrive and SharePoint accounts connected to Microsoft Word on macOS.

How to Unsync OneDrive and SharePoint from Word on Mac
Product
Microsoft Word for Mac
Device & OS
macOS
Scenario
Resolving synchronization failures and constant folder access requests caused by account conflicts between Office apps and cloud storage.
Observed behavior
Word repeatedly requests access to company folders or fails to sync SharePoint changes because Office and OneDrive are operating under different logged-in accounts.
Before you start

Before making any changes, log in to your OneDrive or SharePoint account via a web browser to verify that your recent file edits have been successfully synchronized and saved online.

Solution 1Recommended

Unlink Accounts and Remove Office Licenses

Resolve the account conflict by resetting the OneDrive sync connection and using the Microsoft Office license removal tool.

This method completely clears out the conflicting account credentials from your Mac, allowing you to establish a fresh, error-free synchronization connection between Word and your cloud storage.

1
Unlink your OneDrive account

Click the OneDrive cloud icon in your Mac menu bar, navigate to Help & Settings > Preferences, and click 'Unlink this Mac' to disconnect the incorrect account.

2
Remove the local sync folder

Open Finder, locate the local OneDrive or SharePoint folder that is no longer syncing properly, and move it to the Trash to avoid file duplication issues.

3
Run the license removal tool

Close all Office applications including Word. Download and run the official Microsoft Office License Removal Tool to safely erase conflicting Office account data from your system.

4
Sign in and reconnect

Open Microsoft Word, sign in with the correct account credentials, and follow the prompts to create a new OneDrive or SharePoint sync connection.

Unlink Accounts and Remove Office Licenses
Data Safety: Running the Office license removal tool does not delete your documents; it only clears the cached login and activation data from your Mac.
Free Microsoft Office alternative

Switch to WPS Office for Hassle-Free Cloud Syncing

If you are tired of dealing with Microsoft Word account conflicts and complex SharePoint synchronization issues on your Mac, WPS Office offers a straightforward, lightweight alternative. Enjoy seamless cloud management without restrictive account dependencies.

  1. 1. Download the software: Visit the official WPS website and download the installation package tailored for Mac.
  2. 2. Install on your Mac: Open the downloaded file and drag the WPS Office icon into your Applications folder.
  3. 3. Edit documents effortlessly: Launch WPS Office, open your existing Word documents, and easily save them to your preferred local or cloud destination.
Fully compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx), Excel, and PowerPoint file formats.Easily connects to various cloud services without forcing complex account sync rules.Lightweight application that runs fast and smoothly on all macOS devices.Free to use with a highly familiar, user-friendly interface requiring no learning curve.
microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Word on Mac constantly request access to my SharePoint folder?

This happens when Word is logged in with an account that lacks the correct permissions to access the SharePoint folder being synced by OneDrive. Re-authenticating with the matching account resolves the access prompts.

Will I lose my files if I unlink OneDrive from my Mac?

No, unlinking OneDrive only stops the synchronization process. All your previously synced files remain securely stored in your online cloud storage, and you can download them again at any time.

How do I completely reset the OneDrive app on a Mac?

Quit the OneDrive app, go to your Applications folder, right-click OneDrive, and select 'Show Package Contents'. Navigate to Contents > Resources and double-click the 'ResetOneDriveApp.command' file to clear the app's cache.