User Does Not Get an Option to Open Macro-Enabled Excel File saved on OneDrive folder in Desktop App

Question

First, I understand macro-enabled files are not compatible with the web, so the users must open this file in the desktop app.

User was given permission by "specifying certain people to add" and not shared with a link that will work for anyone. User has a working MS 365 account, the Excel option to open hyperlinks in Office desktop apps is enabled, the trust center is set to open the version of the Excel file with macro-enabled, and followed step-by-step. Below are the events I've had the user try. By the end of step 6, I instructed him to download the file as there was no other way for him to open the file. For other people including myself, step 6 has the option to open the file in the desktop app, which would be Excel. For this user, the message does not have that option. Image attached. The file is too large to email. The user should not have to download this large file every time they want to simply open the file.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

User states:

1. It is showing in the folder.
2. I can click to "open" it and opens in a new tab.
3. It requests a password.
4. I enter the correct password.
5. And then the screen acts like it will begin loading.
6. But after 4-5+ minutes, it gives me an error screen that I provided a screenshot of the other day and fails to load.
7. But if I download the file, and open it in Excel, it will open. (This is the solution I provided to workaround)

Normal message as below:

Answer 1

Dear RH92821,

Good day!

Thank you for posting to Microsoft Community. We are glad to assist. We are looking into your situation and we will update the thread shortly.

Appreciate your patience and understanding and thank for your time and cooperation.

Sincerely,

George | Microsoft Community Moderator

Answer 2

Dear RH,

Good day!!

Apologies for the inconvenience caused and please don’t worry, let’s work together on your concern and move towards a resolution path.

I understand your concern and to my knowledge, I would like to you know that when the content in the SharePoint Online site or OneDrive for Business has been shared to the external users (who are not part of our Office 365 organization) even with Edit permission, the external users will not be able to see the Open in the Desktop option for editing the shared file in the Office apps:

.

Since the user having the problem is the external user that could be the possible reason for not having the option “Open in the Desktop” and I believe the shared Excel workbook can’t be opened in the Excel for the web directly because you mentioned the file size is too large. Reference: File size limits for workbooks in SharePoint - Microsoft Support

In this situation, if the user is having the Microsoft work account (******@companyname.onmicrosoft.com), you can add the user as a Guest user and place the Excel file inside a folder, and share the folder to the user. So, when the user access the shared folder, user can see the Sync button at the top, where user can click on the Sync button to view the shared content directly from the File Explorer and double-click on the Excel file will launch the Excel file in its respective Office apps.

Moreover, I agree with you having the ability to have Open in the desktop app option even on shared files for the external users will benefit the users and I suggest you to add your valuable idea as feedback in the SharePoint · Community (microsoft.com) which is the best place to share our ideas and improve the Microsoft products.

Appreciate your patience and understanding. Have a great day!!

Best Regards,

Sophia

Answer 3

Hello, thanks for your reply. Can you please send me a screenshot of where I can see the "Sync" button you mentioned below?:

"So, when the user access the shared folder, user can see the Sync button at the top, where user can click on the Sync button to view the shared content directly from the File Explorer and double-click on the Excel file will launch the Excel file in its respective Office apps."

Answer 4

Dear RH,

Thanks for writing back and updating with us.

As per the further updates, here is the screenshot when the external user who is added as a Guest in your Office 365 organization will see the Sync button:

.

Clicking on Sync button will appear as below in the File Explorer:

.

However, the steps that need to be followed are:

1. Invite the external user with work/school account (******@companyname.onmicrosoft.com) as a Guest user. Access https://portal.azure.com > Search for users and click on Users> New User> Invite external user> Fill the details> Invite
2. Ask the external user to access his/her mailbox and accept the invitation.
3. Now wait for sometime and share the folder in your SharePoint Online or OneDrive for Business using People specify link.
4. Once the user access the shared folder, external user should be able to see the Sync button and clicking on Sync button will appear the shared folder on PC.

Appreciate your patience and understanding with us. Have a great day!!

Best Regards,

Sophia