Access SharePoint Document through Desktop App with Personal Account

Question

Hello,

I am working with a consultant who uses a personal Microsoft account to access a folder related to her work. She works on a Mac. Historically, she has been able to access pptx. files from that folder, and open them in the desktop application to work online (still connected to our SharePoint) without issue.

The consultant recently began working with another company who issued her a OneDrive for Business account. Since using this account, she has not been able to open her files in the Desktop PowerPoint application. She is still able to access and open the shared file in her browser, but when clicking "Open in Desktop App" the PowerPoint app will open and prompt her to log in with her new OneDrive for Business email address. She'll then click "Sign in with another account" and type her personal account email. Despite this working before, she receives an error that "You can't sign in here with a personal account. Use your work or school account instead."

Why was she able to access without issue prior to her new OneDrive for Business account, but now is not able to sign in to access the same file? Does she need to log out of the OneDrive for Business account for this to work?

Thanks for your guidance.

Answer 1

Hi GarrettS147,

When we open a file from SharePoint to desktop app, SharePoint tries to verify that the desktop app and "the user" does have the right permission to open/edit the file, this is to ensure that the correct user is accessing the file. Since the user is signed/connected with another OneDrive for business account, it is not able to verify the user’s permissions.

The user needs to sign out from the OneDrive for business account and then sign back in with the same account on which the SharePoint resource is shared.

If you need any help, please let me know.

Kind regards,

Neha