Collaboration conflicts when multiple users edit a Visio file stored in SharePoint

Question

When collaborating on a Visio file stored in SharePoint from a MacBook, I’m seeing sync conflicts and lost updates during co-authoring. Changes from other users don’t always appear, and version conflicts occur unexpectedly.

Is Visio collaboration fully supported on macOS

Answer 1

Dear Ezra Torres

Thank you for reaching out to the Q&A forum and sharing your experience. 

According to Microsoft’s official documentation, all collaborators must use the same type of Visio application, either all desktop or all web, when co‑authoring the same file. Mixing Visio Desktop (Windows) with Visio for the Web in a single editing session is not supported and can directly lead to unexpected version conflicts. 

Since there is no native Visio desktop application for macOS, users on a Mac are limited to Visio for the Web. To avoid further conflicts, your entire team should open and edit the diagram using Visio for the Web whenever at least one collaborator is on macOS. 

Additionally, several users have reported that on macOS, editing Visio files through the OneDrive/SharePoint Sync folder in Finder, instead of opening the file directly in Visio for the Web, may cause synchronization conflicts, particularly with intermittent connectivity or offline changes.  Please try opening the file directly in Visio for the Web (via the SharePoint link in your browser) and monitor whether the sync conflicts persist. This approach typically provides a more stable and consistent editing experience across platforms.

For your reference, you may also review the following official Microsoft resources:

• Work together on Visio drawings - Microsoft Support
• Limitations to file editing in Visio for the web - Microsoft Support

I hope this information is helpful. Please give these suggestions a try, and feel free to share an update if the issue continues, I’ll be glad to assist further.

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Answer 2

Co-authoring in Visio files stored in SharePoint is not explicitly mentioned in the provided context, which primarily discusses co-authoring functionality in SharePoint for various Office applications such as Word, PowerPoint, and OneNote. It is noted that co-authoring is supported by using the Office Web Apps Server, but there is no specific mention of Visio's compatibility with macOS or its behavior during co-authoring.

Given that you are experiencing sync conflicts and lost updates, it could be related to the limitations of co-authoring in Visio or the specific setup of your environment. For a definitive answer regarding Visio collaboration on macOS, I recommend checking the official Microsoft documentation or support resources for any updates or specific guidance on this issue.

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References:

• Overview of co-authoring in SharePoint Server
• Co-authoring functionality in SharePoint Server