Microsoft Word permission issues

Question

The main issue reported is that a user is able to edit a word document on the web but unable to edit the same document using the Word desktop app despite having the correct permissions settings.

Possible solutions that have been tried include ensuring the compatibility of the document with the desktop app version, checking the document location and connectivity, attempting to repair the document or opening a backup copy, and verifying the licensing status of the desktop app.

Despite trying these solutions, the problem persists.

** I'd like to point out that the document is stored on a SharePoint folder.

Answer 1

Dear Olusola Kolawole，

Thank you for spending time doing tests and sharing with us the result.

Since you also meet the same situation, it's an issue from the document owner side.

When you open the shared document on the web, can you download it by going to File > Save as > click "Download a Copy"? If yes, can you edit the downloaded document in Word desktop application?

May I know how did the owner share the document? Did he share it via select the document> choose Share > set permission and then click Send?

You may let him try "Copy link" to generate a sharing link and give the link to you. For the permission, you may let him try "People you specify can edit".

Thanks for your time and cooperation so far. Welcome to post back when you have any update.

We hope you are keeping safe and well!

Sincerely,

Tina | Microsoft Community Moderator

Answer 2

Hi Tina,

I can confidently say that the issue is from this specific user (document creator).

They shared a new document with me, and I also can't seem to edit the document on my Word desktop app, only was able to edit on the web.

It's glaring that the permission issue is coming from the owner of the doc, how do I fix this?

Answer 3

Dear Olusola Kolawole,

Thank you for posting back. We appreciate your precious time doing tests and sharing with us the detailed information.

You mentioned "The user encounters the error while editing documents from this specific user. all other docs are okay.",

Does it mean that all documents shared from a specific user have the same issue when your user edits them by using Word desktop application?

If yes, then if you let that specific user try to share with you (or another different user) the same document, can you edit it in Word desktop application?

This helps you narrow down the situation and check whether it's a problem on that specific user's side (documents owner's side), or a problem just on your user's side.

Feel free to let us know when you have any update, we will be glad to help you further.

And if my understanding of the scenario is different from yours, feel free to point it out.

Thanks for your time and cooperation! We hope you have a nice day and stay safe.

Sincerely,

Tina | Microsoft Community Moderator

Answer 4

Hi Tina,

Thanks for the quick response to my issue.

To answer your first question, The user clicked on "Open in Desktop App" from web because the word file was shared as a link in an email, upon checking the URL on the web, it showed that it's from a personal SharePoint folder (Owner of the document).

I tried deleting the cached files, still didn't work.

The user encounters the error while editing documents from this specific user. all other docs are okay.

[PII is removed by MSFT]

Answer 5

Dear Olusola Kolawole,

Greetings! Thank you for posting in Microsoft Community. We are happy to help you.

Per your description, a user is unable to edit a document in Word desktop application, he can edit the same document in Word for the web. We appreciate you share with us the detailed troubleshooting steps you have tried.

We'd like to help you, please let us cooperate, we can work together and try to narrow down the issue and resolve it.

How did the user open the document in Word desktop application?

Did he click "Open in Desktop App" from web or did he firstly open Word desktop application > go to File > Open > SharePoint > navigate to the document and open it?

Does the same issue happen when opening the document by using both ways?

You may let the user try to clear cache in Word desktop application:

Go to File > Options > Save > scroll down and find Cache Settings > click "Delete cached files" > click OK.

If same issue still happens, we do understand the inconvenience caused and apologize for it. We'd like to help you further and collect following information:

1.Is it the first time the user tried editing the document in Word desktop application? Can he edit the document in Word desktop application before?

2.Does this issue only happen when he edits the specific document? Can he edit other documents stored in the same SharePoint folder in Word desktop application?

3.What is the version of his Word app? Please let him capture a full screenshot of Product Information from File>Account.

Thanks for your time and cooperation! We hope you have a nice day and stay safe.

Sincerely,

Tina | Microsoft Community Moderator