Unable to open spreadsheets in Edge

Question

I have a new Win10 PC that came preinstalled with Office 365. However, this user only has an F3 license and must use the cloud apps. I removed the local apps, then ran the SARA app to complete cleanup remnants. I can successfully logon the user to office.microsoft.com. But when I click on a spreadsheet, or use 'open with' and point to Edge, it simply downloads the file. If I click on the file from the downloads link, it downloads it again. I have confirmed the "Open Office Files in the browser" option is enabled. I have repaired and reset Edge. I have confirmed Edge is the default browser. I have installed the Office Extention in Edge. Nothing seems to change. For the record, I have the same behavior in Chrome if I use "open with". What needs to be done so the user can click on a file and have the spreadsheet open in Edge?

Thanks,

Joe

Answer 1

Dear Joe,

Greetings! Thank you for posting in Microsoft forum.

We would need a bit more information to understand the situation so we can provide you with relevant suggestions. May I know where the document is stored, OneDrive for business or SharePoint online library?

Please check if you can select the workbook, click Open>Open in browser as shown below. Will this open the workbook in browser?

Also, check whether Open Documents in Client Applications by Default feature is enabled or disabled. For this follow the steps below:

1. Navigate to the SharePoint document library, click Gear Icon > Library settings.
2. Click on Advanced settings.
3. Under Opening Documents in the Browser section, the radio button to Open in the client application is set to No or Yes?

Check the similar settings in Site Settings:

1. Click Gear Icon > Site Information.
2. Click View all site settings.
3. Click on the Site collection features, check if Open Documents in Client Applications by Default is Active or not.

In case Open Documents in Client Applications by Default feature is active or set to Yes, it will try opening the document in desktop applications by default, since the user does not have the Office apps installed, it might download the file instead.

Further, in Edge browser, navigate to edge://settings/downloads and turn on Open Office files in the browser.

If my understanding above is not consistent with yours, you can also post back and point that out.

Your understanding and patience will be highly appreciated. I hope that you are keeping safe and well!

Sincerely,

Neha | Microsoft Community Moderator

Answer 2

Neha,

Thanks for the reply. The files are located on the local C: drive or on a network drive. They are not in SharePoint or OneDrive, so there are no library options to check. I have confirmed that "Open Office Files in the Browser" is enabled. What can I check next?

Joe

Answer 3

Hello Joe,

Thanks for the clarification.

I understand you have Office extension installed on the browser (both Edge and Chrome) and still the Excel workbook will download and not open in browser.

As suggested in the support article, the function of Office extension is to upload the file to OneDrive first and then open in browser (screenshot below), may I suggest opening the file from OneDrive for business directly rather than using the said extension.

For this, go to Office 365 portal and sign in with your work or school account, if required, click OneDrive tile, select the Excel workbook in OneDrive, click Open>Open in browser, as shown below.

Does this still download the file? If possible, please try using a different browser than Chrome or Edge, to perform the above steps, you can use any browser not just Edge or Chrome. Let me know if this still shows the same behavior, I will help further if needed.

Also, please try opening Word and PowerPoint files in the similar way, this will help us understand if the issue is limited to Excel or all Office files have same behavior.

Regards,

Neha | Microsoft Community Moderator

Answer 4

I don't have another browser to test with. We must use either Edge or Chrome. The problem exists with all Office files. What else can we check?

Answer 5

Anyone?