Office Mobile for Android can't open docs on shared OneDrive folder

Hi,

I have the same problem as the OP and others who have shared similar experiences here.  I've just had three live chats with three separate MS support departments but got nowhere.  One of the chat sessions disconnected mysteriously once we went through the obvious "reinstall, restart, sign out then in" routine.  The others have tried basic stuff then passed me on to "more specialised" departments.  The latest gave me a number to call, but the queue is horrendous and I really don't have the patience to wait on hold right now.  

Notes about my issue:

• I have added shared folders (with "edit" permissions) to my Onedrive account under "Files". The shared folders originate from another Onedrive user.
• I can access the shared folders just fine from the Onedrive Android app, Office apps on Windows, and the Onedrive web app via browser.
• However, when I attempt to access a shared folder from the Open or Save function in any of the Office Android apps, I cannot see any of the files within.  I can see the shared folders, but when I tap one of them, I briefly see "Loading Files" for a second and then all I see is "This folder is empty".
• My device is a relatively new Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 running Android 7.0.
• Office apps have been updated to the latest available.
• I am an Office 365 Home subscriber.
• I have tried resetting the office apps using the "Reset" function in settings.
• I have tried removing all Microsoft accounts from the device via the Android settings and re-adding them.
• I have tried clearing cache and data in all office apps including Onedrive, restarting device, and then setting up the apps again.
• I have tried making a shared folder available offline and synchronising on my Android device.  This, and all other attempts above, has not resolved the issue.

This is quite an important feature, as I need to be able to collaborate with others via shared folders on Android.  Without this, I will quite simply go back to Google Apps.  It strikes me as a significant flaw that this is not working as it should, particularly given that collaboration is often cited as the key unique selling point of Office 365.

Hi,

Welcome to Microsoft Community.

Firstly, check if your using the same Microsoft account to sign into Word to access OneDrive account.

Also, tell us from where are the files shared and kept in OneDrive shared folder?

Try to follow the below steps and open Word document within Word application.

1. Open Word and Click Open.
2. Click on Browse and select more option on top-left corner.
3. Select OneDrive and chose the Word file from Shared folder.
4. It will download the file and see if you are able to open.

If the issue persist, I suggest you to update Word app to the latest version and see if it helps.

Thank you.

Hi, like I already said YES I can see folders and documents in the shared folder via OneDrive but not via the Word App.

The shared folder is from another Microsoft account (my wife's) and Word app version is 16.0.6729.1013

Are you unable to replicate the issue on your side?

Hi,

Thank you for replying.

Instead selecting Open and tapping OneDrive personal., Select Open, browse and click more option. From there, chose OneDrive as explained in my previous post.

Hi

Thanks for explaining how to open a document from a folder shared with me on an Android device.

Could you let me know how i can save a document to that same shared folder for an Android device.

Best regards, Paul

Hi,

Thank you for replying.

Instead selecting Open and tapping OneDrive personal., Select Open, browse and click more option. From there, chose OneDrive as explained in my previous post.

Also, confirm if you are using the same Microsoft account for both Word as well as OneDrive to access the files. If you are using the same account and if the files are kept in the shared folder in OneDrive, this method should work as we are able to replicate here.

Try the suggestions and keep us posted on the status of the issue to assist you.

Thank you.