Why do I not get an option to "Edit in Word"?

Hello,

For better suggestions with Office application on SharePoint, you may post your query in Office IT pro:

http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/officeitpro/threads

Thank you.

What´s up, GeekForLife!?

You might check if this document is in a library under approval workflow and if it is set to make you check out the document for edit.

I think these two details may explain the diferent behavior of the edit action.

I hope it be usefull. If not, post again!

Good Lucky!

How do I tell if a library is "under approval workflow"?

I went to Site Settings > Workflow Settings where it says:

Nice question, Geek!

...so, one can say you are not able to edit files only at local MS Word. The online file is ok, right?

I had already seen the opposite situation before, when people can not edit on online files. But, let´s learn together, my friend!

Analysing the situation, I think the problem is the "permissions" you have. Please, check if there is an advice on the top of the window like (ONLY READ), beside the title - WORD. If yes, make a right click on the file and un-tick "Only Read Box" in properties. You can also check the Sharepoint permissions. Maybe the owner of the file did not turn it available to edit, only to read.

To be sure this is the problem, save the document as TEST.docx (local - not online) close the application and open it again. Now, try to edit the file. This is the only way I found to do not allow to edit the doc.

If do not solve, we will try to identify what do we have to fix...

I got some question that can help us to find out what is going on, ok?

Are you used to share files with the same team?

Do everybory has the same version?
Are you sure the version is the same version you were using before?

Do anybody made an update?
Have you checked office´s version?

Please post all information you have for me make a simulation here, ok?

If you want to read the main documentation I found about it, click on the link bellow:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/324844/en-us

I´ll look foward for your answer!

Good Lucky!

Yoda,

Thanks for your efforts in responding; however, I think I haven't been clear enough about the problem.

Two scenarios, BOTH are in browser only.

1) I navigate via browser to a file on sharepoint.com.

2) In an email, I receive a URL link to the same file.

I want to open and edit the file in locally installed MS Word.  But when I open the doc in browser:

In scenario 1, I have two menu options ("Edit in Browser" and "Edit in Word").

In scenario 2, however (link sent by email), I only have one menu option "Edit in Browser".

And what makes this very frustrating is if someone sends me the URL, there's no way to figure out where that file is on Sharepoint, or I'd navigate to it in SP as a workaround.

When viewing the file in browser, top right says "Guest Contributor".  So how can I edit this in local Word? 

What´s up, Geek!?

Man, I´m sorry about that... now I see the hole situation, I understand your point...

This is a very gook question! It´s all about permissions, Geek! This is not a thing to be worried about. You might check your permission level and maybe change it to "Full Control".

On the first situation you are logged in SharePoint.com with your account, so it does understand you have all permissions in your account and it make the EDIT buttons available for you. But on the second situation (link sent by e-mail), you are entering as a guest on the group of this link, that´s the reason it shows "Guest Contributor" and let only edit in browser.

Take a look at the link bellow, there is table where you can understand the permissions levels:

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/products/understanding-permission-levels-HA102772313.aspx?CTT=1#_Toc339288401

On this link above you can also reach the information about changing permissions.

Now I hope we have solved the problem. But if not, post again, Geek! And we will find out another way.

Waiting for your feedback!

Best...

Thank you Yoda.  Yes, I think you now may understand the problem better.

I understand the privilege settings.

The problem is this: How does someone send me a link to a document to which I have edit access so I can edit it in Word?

When they copy/paste the URL and I use that URL, Sharepoint thinks I'm a guest.  And there's no way for the sender to easily send me a link that shows me where the doc is within Sharepoint that would allow me to easily navigate to it.

Do you understand?  HOW DOES SOMEONE SEND ME A LINK TO A DOC IN SHAREPOINT (to which I already have edit privileges) THAT ALLOWS ME TO EDIT IT IN WORD?