Missing open in excel button

Question

We have a user that has an issue when anytime that a user receives a link to via an excel spreadsheet, it doesn't open in excel online. This is expected because it has special macros. Usually, on everyone else's computer,  it asks them "Open in Excel", but not for one user. He doesn't get that button. He gets the same warning that the Workbook could not be opened. This is a business account and he has an E3 license and has the applications installed on his computer. In the screenshot below, this is a warning we all get but the one user is missing the "open in excel" that I highlighted in the picture. Anyone know why this is happening?

Thank you

Answer 1

Hi ETJR,

After further investigation, we have found what controls the behavior that you are seeing. It's all related to the type of link shared.

The type of links that opens to a no-button result are:

1. Anyone can edit link
2. Links sent to specific people/people with existing access and the user is using a Microsoft (personal) account.

To clarify, we are referring to the option you choose when clicking on the Share or Copy Link button:

To make sure the user is getting the button, the sharer can use a link that shows this button, or the recipient can navigate to their OneDrive for Business and go to their Shared > Shared with Me view.

Opening the document from the Shared with Me view will show the button as well.

You can test this out and let us know the result.

Regards,

Sheen

Answer 2

I don't think it is from SharePoint, it must be from the senders one drive account as it was sent via email. Recently found out this is happening to multiple users in the business who got the same issue. I tried to open the link in firefox, chrome, IE, and edge with all the same result of the "open in excel" not showing on either web browser.

Current office version is 1903 (11425.20204)

Answer 3

Hi ETJR,

Thank you for the update. For the first question, we're referring to a SharePoint library. Can the user open any Excel file using the 'Open in Excel' button upon right-clicking the document?

Also, did the issue persists when opening it on a different browser? Can the user see the Open in Excel button from the Ribbon in Excel Online?

Lastly, can you provide us the Office version of the affected user?

Regards,

Justin

Answer 4

Hello Justin,

1. The file is not on their local computer. It when someone shares a file with this user.
2. Yes it happens to all excel files we send him
3. His license is active
4. The file is being shared to the user that is not showing the "open to excel". Other excel files that is on his local computer works fine.
5. No there has not been any changes.

This is the message the user gets and as you can see it doesnt give the option to open in excel

Answer 5

Hi ETJR,

For us to better understand the situation, please provide us the following:

1. Can the user open the Excel file by right-clicking the file in the library and select Opne in Excel?
2. Does the issue happens on other files as well?
3. Can you double check if the user has the "The latest desktop version of Office" license in Subscription page?
4. Can the user open the same file before in Excel client?
5. Did the user make any changes on the computer prior to the problem?

As an initial recommendation, please try using a different browser and using private mode and see if the issue will persist.

Lastly, please provide us the Office version of the affected user.

Regards,

Justin