By default, SharePoint Online and the OneDrive Web App will open documents in the web browser. This is quick and simple and great for making changes on the fly, but this feature supports a limited set of document types, and the Microsoft 365 web apps may not support all features of the Microsoft 365 desktop apps.
Note(s):
- Opening a cloud document in the desktop app is still a cloud document!
- You do not lose any of the benefits gained from working in the cloud (simultaneous edits, version history, auto-save, etc.).
- Your changes are saved directly to the cloud-- a copy is NOT created unless you specifically "save as" using a different name/path.
From the SharePoint Document Library/OneDrive Web
When browsing a SharePoint Online document library or OneDrive for the Web, you can open a document directly into the desktop apps.
- Hover the cursor over the document in question or check the checkbox.
- Click on the "..." icon
- Hover the cursor over "Open" and click "Open in app"
From Microsoft 365 Web Apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.)
If you have already opened the document, you can quickly open the document into the desktop apps.
- Click on the "Editing" drop down in the top-right corner.
NOTE: If your web browser is shrunk down to a smaller size, the option is hidden behind a pencil icon, or the "..." - Click "Open in Desktop"
