How to stop sharepoint from uploading the same file again after it prompts to replace the existing file?

Roy Spencer 1 Reputation point
2020-10-14T22:08:31.417+00:00

When I upload a document to Sharepoint that is a replacement for an existing file, Sharepoint:

  1. Uploads the entire file.
  2. Asks me if I want to replace the existing file.
  3. Then uploads the entire file again.

Is there a way to make it:

  1. Upload the entire file.
  2. Ask me if I want to replace the existing file.
  3. Then replace the file without uploading the entire file again?
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  1. ChelseaWu-MSFT 6,326 Reputation points
    2020-10-15T06:01:26.36+00:00

    Per my test, SharePoint Online does not upload a file directly if it is a duplicate submission.

    In modern experience, when we try to upload a file with the same filename to a library, it prompts a message to add the new file as latest version of the existing file without uploading it directly.
    If we click “Add file”, the file then gets uploaded and overwrites the existing file as a newer version.

    32515-screenshot-2020-10-15-104729.png

    Also in classic experience, it offers choices to replace the existing file or quit uploading before it completes this action.

    32489-screenshot-2020-10-15-135217.png

    This is the default behavior in SharePoint Online and it is not supported to change the behavior/prompt message for duplicate submissions for the time being.

    You are welcomed to share any idea via SharePoint UserVoice Forums to help improve SharePoint products: https://sharepoint.uservoice.com/forums/329214-sites-and-collaboration?category_id=144015


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