Excel online share to other user can edit but can't download

Question

Hi team,

My friend using OneDrive Enterprise and he wants to share Excel online files with users that they can edit but can't download.

Now "block download" option is missing. he said it appeared when he granted edit access to users.

could you guide me on how can my friend turn block download on?

Answer 1

In OneDrive for Business or OneDrive Enterprise, controlling whether users can download a file when you grant them edit access can depend on a few factors and settings. Here’s how your friend can approach this:

1. Share the File:
   • Start by sharing the Excel file from OneDrive. Ensure that you are sharing the file with "Edit" permissions to allow collaborators to make changes.
2. Check Sharing Settings:
   • After sharing, your friend should check the sharing settings. They can do this by right-clicking on the file in OneDrive, selecting "Share", and then choosing "Anyone with the link can edit" or specifying individual users with edit access.
3. Adjust Link Settings:
   • When setting permissions, your friend should look for an option related to link settings or permissions. This might include settings like "Allow editing" or "Block download".
   • Sometimes, the option to "Block download" is presented after selecting the "Anyone with the link can edit" option during the sharing process.
4. Advanced Options:
   • If the option to "Block download" is not immediately visible, your friend should click on "Advanced settings" or a similar link to reveal more detailed sharing options.
5. Alternative Methods:
   • If the desired options are not available directly through the OneDrive web interface, your friend might need to explore using SharePoint settings or administrative controls if they have access, as SharePoint settings can sometimes influence OneDrive sharing options.
6. Administrative Controls:
   • If your friend is part of an organization using Microsoft 365 with administrative controls, certain policies or configurations set by IT administrators could affect sharing permissions and available options.

If your friend continues to have trouble finding the "Block download" option or managing permissions, they may want to consult their organization's IT support or refer to Microsoft's documentation specific to their enterprise plan, as settings can vary based on organizational policies and configurations.

Answer 2

Hi@Chanwut Upokin

According to article: Block downloads for view-only files in SharePoint and OneDrive.

Block download is available for view-only sharing links to Office documents and other file types. You can give users access to view, but not download and edit.

If the "Can't download' option still disappears, as Barath Senthil Raja suggests, need the admin check the "BlockDownloadLinksFileType" setting in the Set-SPOTenant or Set-SPOSite PowerShell cmdlets (ServerRendered (Office Only) and WebPreviewable (All supported files).

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