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SharePoint Online document library powerpoint file displays different version in browser vs desktop app

Anonymous
2020-06-24T17:38:41+00:00

I have a powerpoint file in a shared document library.  The library is set to Create major and minor (draft) versions.  Content approval is OFF.  Who can see draft versions is set to only users that can edit items.

We have a group that updates this file for a biweekly meeting.  The issue I'm having (just started recently) is that when I look at the latest version in SharePoint and view the file in the browser, it correctly displays the current edited version.  When I then open the file in the desktop app, it displays an older version of the file.  Why is this behavior happening (now).  It didn't do this previously (browser/desktop versions were the same, regardless of publishing status).

Did something change in SharePoint online recently to cause this behavior change?  I see no reason why desktop version should be different than the browser version, regardless of publish status.

Microsoft 365 and Office | SharePoint | For business | Windows

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Anonymous
2020-06-25T01:59:35+00:00

Hi LilArai,

You are correct, if PowerPoint online shows the latest version then desktop client should also show the same version.

From your description, it seems like PowerPoint is opening the cached file in desktop client. In this scenario, I’ll suggest you clean your Office file cache. To do this, open File Explorer and navigate to the following location, select all the files and folders from this location and delete them. It is possible that few file/folders might not delete, if this happens, leave them.

C:\Users<UserName>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Office\16.0\OfficeFileCache

After clearing the above location, try to open PowerPoint presentation again from the SharePoint library, check if still shows the old version.

If it still shows the same result, then we need to do some tests.

May I know how you open PowerPoint file from SharePoint online? For example, you open PowerPoint presentation in browser and click Open in Desktop app on the ribbon or select the file in library and click Open>Open in app, as shown in the screenshot below.

Also, may I know if this is happening with a specific PPT file? Please try opening another PPT in desktop client to confirm. Also try opening Word and Excel file to verify if the issue is with PowerPoint or other Office files are also affected.

If the result is same, please try to open PowerPoint presentation from a different library of a different site. This is to confirm if the issue is with the specific library.

In addition, please confirm the following information:

  1. Please provide the screenshot of Office 365 Product Information. To get this screenshot, open Word or Excel on your system, click File>Account, capture the screenshot of all the information mentioned under Product Information. (Note: please remove any sensitive information from the screenshot such as email address or full name etc.).
  2. If possible, please confirm with your colleagues to confirm if they experienced the same behavior.
  3. Please download the affected PowerPoint file then open it in desktop client and compare if the version is same as the browser.
  4. Which browser are you using? Please try using a different browser to confirm the issue is independent of browsers.

Let me know the status. Have a nice day and stay safe.

Regards,

Neha

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  1. Anonymous
    2020-06-27T00:08:55+00:00

    Hi LilArai,

    Thanks for the confirmation, glad to know my reply helped you fix the issue.

    Should you need help with any other issue, please don't hesitate to post in the forum.

    Regards,

    Neha

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  2. Anonymous
    2020-06-26T22:51:42+00:00

    Hello Neha,

    Clearing cache worked.  

    Thank you very much!

    Have a great weekend.

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