Excel file with view permission won't open in desktop app got you don't have permission to open this file

Question

Hi team,

We granted a user view permission to an excel file. The user can open the Excel file from the web but encounters a "You don't have permission to open this file" error when trying to open it from the desktop app.

Thank you for your help

Answer 1

Hi,

Here are some suggestions from my side-

1. It may be a syncing issue if the file is synced using the OneDrive desktop app, So try to re-sync the library.
2. Check if the file is owned by the same account that is sharing it. If it is not, transfer the ownership of that file to the account.
3. Ensure that the file format is compatible with the desktop app.
4. Make sure that the user is signed into the desktop app using the same account that has been granted permission.
5. Long file paths can sometimes cause issues when syncing with the desktop app. So maybe try reducing the file path length.
6. Ensure that the OneDrive and Excel are up to date/updated.

Best Regards.

Answer 2

Hi @Jennifer,

Did you share the SharePoint Online document library or the specific files in the library to that user? As per my knowledge, if you share the file with user using the "Share" button, the file can only be viewed in web and cannot be opened in desktop application. So I'm confused about why the user can open the shared files in desktop applications. Could you please provide with us more information about how did you share the file to user? Apologize in advance if I misunderstand. Thanks for your patience.

According to the error message you post, firstly try to make sure the user signs into Office with the correct account. Go to Office application > Account > User information to check this.

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Answer 3

Hi, I have the same problem, except I don't get the message saying I don't have permission (I do have full editing permissions). Both users on Mac OS, Microsoft 365. My partner and I need to collaborate on a folder containing different files, including a master spreadsheet. I created the original spreadsheet, then Airdropped it along with other files to his computer, created a OneDrive folder on his computer, sharing it to my email, with editing permissions. The reason I did it this way was because he has more 365 storage than me and it's his project.

Back at my computer I opened the shared Excel spreadsheet, but I do not have the Open in Desktop App option under Editing, as I do with files I share with my father (or work files for that matter). It just isn't there. I can still edit in my browser, but the functionality and my preference is for the desktop app. The two screen grabs show the spreadsheet I share with my father where I can open in Desktop App, and the other spreadsheet I just created and shared from my partner's OneDrive (parent folder) without the option to Open in Desktop App. I really need to find a solution, so look forward to any help.