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Sharepoint online - new links to documents do not open in Office online

Within our Office 365 SharePoint environment, when new links (right-click > copy link) are created to existing Sharepoint documents, they no longer open in Office Online.

Google Chrome wants to download the file.

Internet Explorer 11 runs up the Desktop version of the Office App (eg Word) which then reports 'invalid character in filename'

The creation of links was working OK until a couple of weeks ago, and links previously created still work OK.

A temporary workaround I have found is to add the string:

?web=1

to the end of the URL when creating the link. This link then opens OK in both Chrome and IE11.

Hi Paul,

 

Please confirm whether Open Documents in Client Applications by Default feature is activated first? You may click the gear icon to open Settings, and then click Site settings>Site collection features to check. (Note If the Site collection features option isn't present, you must first click Go to top level site settings.)

 

If not, could you provide the following information:

  1. Please share your sharing settings of the link.
  2. Do you repro by pasting the link in browser directly?
  3. Please confirm whether this behavior occurs in specific library or site collection. You may create a new site collection to test.

 

 

Regards,

Zixuan

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Hi Zixuan,
In answer to your questions.
 
  • No, Open Documents in Client Applications by Default feature is NOT activated:
"IMG1"
  • Sharing settings of the link (default settings) are:
    • Anyone can view and edit
      •

"IMG2"
  • To reproduce the link to the target file, we click the 'copy' button - or with the link highlighted we user CTRL-C
  • In the destination document library where the link needs to be created, we select New Link
      "IMG3"
  • Paste the copied link and enter the filename (apparently the filename used to be pre-populated)
    • "IMG4"
  • This happens with links created...
    • in different libraries
    • from existing documents
    • from new web documents
  • I also manage another Sharepoint domain for another school, and the same issue occurs here
  • As mentioned in my original post, appending '?web=1' to the URL does make the link open with web apps (not Desktop App) as required. Best Regards
    Paul

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    Screenshots were lost in reply. I'll add here for clarity.

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    Hi Paul,

    Thanks a lot for the information you provided.

    Could you provide your tenant information in Private Message and a screenshot of the error message about "invalid character in filename"for us to further investigate this behavior?

    As a workaround, you can use "Link to a document" content type to replace “Link” without changing the URL.

    The following are the steps to add "Link to a document" content type:

    1.Navigate to the Document library, click Library settings>Advanced settings.

    2.Select Yes for "Allow management of content types?" option.>click OK.

    3. Click "Add from existing site content types" under Content Types.

    4.Select the All Groups>Link to a document>Add>OK.

    Regards,

    Zixuan

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    Tenant info sent in PM.

    Screenshot of error below.

    I do not seem to be getting "invalid character in filename" in error now, but Document still fails to open in OfficeOnline Apps.

    To recap, Chrome prompts to download the file (not what is wanted), IE11 tries to open the Doc with Desktop App (Office2013) and fails with error in shown below.

    <PII has been removed by forum moderator>

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    Hi Paul,

     

    Thanks for the detailed information.

     

    I can reproduce the same behavior on our side. But if I select the files from the recent list when creating the links, it works fine. We will try to report the problem to our related team for further investigation. When there is an update, I will let you know.

     

    Thanks,

    Ran

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    Hi Ran Gao,

    We have the same exact issue, have you received any more information on when a fix will be implemented?

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    Hi Michael,

     

    I received a response that the feature is working as designed. If you have any concern about this, you may submit your feedback to our SharePoint User Voice as this is the best way to let our related team understand your requirements.

     

    As a workaround, you can add the string ?web=1 at the end of the URL or select the file from the recent list.

     

    Thanks,

    Ran

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    Question Info

    Last updated January 13, 2023 Views 12,642 Applies to: