SharePoint Files open in Read-Only mode

Question

I can't figure out the pattern, if there is one: frequently when I open files stored in SharePoint (libraries created automatically via MS Teams and channel creation, so using whatever those defaults are), they open as Read-Only with a sign-in notice requirement, the Autosave switch turned off, and a notice like, "UPLOAD FAILED Something went wrong and we were unable to overwrite the existing file," even though I don't want to overwrite anything, I just want to open the file as last updated on the server. Sometimes (not always), there is an option to Discard Changes. If I hit that, it tells me that it can't discard the changes. (What?!)

Other times, it pops-up a Work Account sign-in dialog. Then, even after I sign-in, the file remains in read-only mode. I have tried unsynching and re-synching the files, I have tried adding and removing the SharePoint Service from the Account section of Excel (same issue in PowerPoint, and presumably in Word, but not checked Word), none of this seems to make any difference.

Once a file starts behaving like this, it stays that way until I restart, and often stays broken following a restart. It does seem to happen more often to files with OLE embedded pieces of other files (e.g., PowerPoint with tables and graphs from multiple Excel files, where it chokes on asking at open if it should update the links).

I never have these problems on PC's on the network at the work location where the Hybrid on-premises/Azure AD domain is based. They occur, randomly, on PC's that are running external to the network and only connected via Work Account connections over the Internet. I assume that's related, but given the intermittent nature of this problem, it could be coincidence.

I also have no problems editing the files online. It's only when opening them in the desktop apps on the local PC that I have any problems.

I'm running the latest version of Office (shows as 2201 Build 14827.20198). The problem has spanned back at least to the prior version. That is, the latest update had no apparent affect on the problem.

I've scoured the Internet looking for this and see dozens (hundreds?) of people reporting similar problems. In some cases, people's problems are solved by those above steps (especially de-synching and re-synching the SharePoint site), in many others, like mine, it seems they never get a solution.

It just feels like the collaborative Autosave feature for Office is really brittle and finnicky. If you look at it wrong, it all falls apart. Does this work reliably for anyone? If so, what can I do to get it work at least most of the time? Maybe just my frustration at the moment, but it feels like Office is becoming less and less reliable, and all problems seem to relate to moving document storage to SharePoint.

Answer 1

I figured out how to fix it, but still not sure on the root cause: In an Office app, remove BOTH the Connected Services AND the account sign-in. Then re-add just the Connected Service.

Steps:

1. Click on File tab
2. Click on Account in the lower left
3. Under "Connected Services," click Remove next to all of the AD-connected accounts
4. Repeat steps 2-3 for all AD-connected accounts (at least for me, it was OK to leave the personal account)
5. In the Upper right (in the Title Bar), click on the Avatar icon (may just appear as initials) for your User Account
6. Click the 3 dots to the right of each AD-connected account and select "Sign out"
7. Repeat steps 5-6 for all AD-connected accounts (at least for me, it was OK to leave the personal account)
8. Close the Office application

I'm not sure if it's needed, but possibly also remove the Work Account from Windows:

1. Click on Settings
2. Click on Accounts
3. Click on "Access work or school" on the left
4. Select the problem Work account and click on "Disconnect"
5. To be safe or if this process fails otherwise, remove all Work accounts (easy to add back later)

With those done, you have removed the problem service. Now you can add them back safely:

1. Open the Office App
2. Click on File tab
3. Click on Account in the lower left
4. Click on "Add a Service" -> Storage -> One Drive for Business
5. Enter your email address for the AD account for the SharePoint/OneDrive folders you wish to access

This will also add the account to your Account menu, so no need to also add it there. If you selected to allow the account to also manage its settings on the machine (as opposed to app only), then it will also be added to the Settings -> Accounts section as a Work or school account.

Answer 2

@GraniteStateColin

Whether all files stored in the SharePoint Online occur this issue?

You could follow below tips to troubleshoot the issue.

1.Open excel client application -> Files -> Options -> Advanced -> General -> Unlick Ignore other applications that use Dynamic Data Exchange(DDE).
2.Try to temporarily cancel the automatic update link in the file, then open the file locally to test whether works well.
3.Try to exit protected view, compare the result.

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Answer 3

Hi

This work for me.

In Excel desktop app -> File - Account -> Connected Services

I had two accounts connected to same SharePoint Online: user1@mydomian.,com and user2@mydomain.com.

User2 don't has permission in the specifict SharePonit Site, but user1 yes.

I remove User2 in Connected services and ready.

All work fine.

Thanks