Fix Office 365 Opening SharePoint When Exporting Files to PDF
Question details
The user needs to prevent Office 365 from automatically opening a SharePoint browser tab when exporting documents stored in OneDrive to PDF.
- Product
- Microsoft Office 365
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Exporting a Word or Excel file stored in OneDrive to a PDF format from within the Office application.
- Observed behavior
- Instead of opening the exported file in the designated system PDF viewer, Office 365 opens a SharePoint browser tab.
Ensure your web browser settings are not configured to automatically open PDF documents and verify that your desired PDF application is fully updated.
Configure Web Browser PDF Settings and System Defaults
Prevent the browser from intercepting PDF files and enforce the system's default PDF viewer for local and exported files.
When exporting files stored in OneDrive or SharePoint, the system may rely on browser settings rather than local app defaults. Changing how the browser handles PDFs usually resolves the redirect issue.
Open your default web browser (e.g., Edge or Chrome). Navigate to Settings, search for 'PDF documents', and enable the option to always download PDFs instead of opening them in the browser.
Click the Start menu, go to Windows Settings, select 'Apps', and then click on 'Default apps'.
Scroll down and select 'Choose default apps by file type'. Locate the '.pdf' extension and assign it to your preferred application, such as Bluebeam Revu.
Restart your computer to apply the registry changes. Open your Office application and export the OneDrive document to PDF again to verify it opens in the correct app.
Test Local Export Behavior vs. Cloud Viewing
Determine whether the issue is caused by the Office export function itself or SharePoint's default cloud-viewing behavior.
Use WPS Office for Hassle-Free PDF Exports
Avoid browser redirect frustrations and cloud sync conflicts. WPS Office offers a seamless, built-in PDF exporter that respects your local file settings and opens PDFs exactly where you want them, completely free.
- 1. Open your document: Launch WPS Office and open your text document or spreadsheet.
- 2. Access the export tool: Click the 'Menu' button in the top left corner and select 'Export to PDF'.
- 3. Export and view: Configure your save path and click 'Export'. The PDF will immediately generate and open in your preferred local viewer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do PDFs stored in OneDrive always open in my web browser?
Cloud-hosted files on SharePoint and OneDrive are designed to open in a web browser by default to facilitate quick online viewing and collaboration, bypassing your computer's local default app settings.
Does changing the default PDF app in Windows affect Office 365 exports?
Yes, Windows default app settings dictate which program opens a file locally. However, if a file is exported directly from a cloud-synced folder like OneDrive, Office may still route the viewing action through the browser depending on your sync and browser settings.
How do I stop Edge from taking over my PDF files?
Open Microsoft Edge, go to Settings > Cookies and site permissions > PDF documents, and toggle on 'Always download PDF files'. After doing this, reassign your preferred default PDF app in Windows settings.
