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JohnM385's avatar
JohnM385
Copper Contributor
Aug 18, 2024

Downloading excel file from One Drive to Excel

When downloading an excel file (.xls) from one drive to excel the file won't open and I get the message "You don't have access to view this file.  Would you like to request permission to Share Point?"

 

These one drive files aren't shared with anyone.  I am the only one who uses these files.  I just want to download the file and get on with life.

Excel for web
  • NikolinoDE's avatar
    NikolinoDE
    Gold Contributor
    Aug 19, 2024

    JohnM385 

    The issue you're encountering where you can't open an Excel file downloaded from OneDrive and receive a message about lacking access is unusual, especially if you're the only user and owner of the files. Here are some troubleshooting steps you can try to resolve this problem:

    1. Check OneDrive Permissions
    • Ensure that the OneDrive account you're logged into has full access to the file. Sometimes, syncing issues can cause permission errors.
    • If you're using a different account on your computer than the one you use for OneDrive, make sure you're logged into the correct account in both OneDrive and Excel.
    1. Download the File Directly
    • Instead of opening the file directly from OneDrive, try downloading it manually:
      1. Go to the OneDrive website and log in.
      2. Locate the file you want to download.
      3. Right-click on the file and select Download.
      4. Once downloaded, try opening the file from your local storage (e.g., your Downloads folder).
    1. Rename and Re-upload the File
    • If the file is giving consistent issues, try renaming it:
      1. Rename the file on OneDrive (e.g., change filename.xls to filename_new.xls).
      2. Download the renamed file.
      3. If it opens correctly, you can re-upload the file to OneDrive and delete the problematic one.
    1. Check for File Corruption
    • There is a possibility that the file may be corrupted. Try the following:
      1. Download the file and attempt to open it with a different application, such as Google Sheets or Libre Office Calc.
      2. If it opens in another program, save it as a new Excel file (.xlsx) and try opening it again in Excel.
    1. Use Excel Desktop App
    • If you're using Excel for the Web and experiencing issues, try opening the file in the desktop version of Excel:
      1. Go to the OneDrive website, locate your file, and click on the three dots (...) next to it.
      2. Select Open in Desktop App.
      3. See if the file opens correctly in the Excel desktop application.
    1. Clear Browser Cache and Cookies
    • If you're downloading the file through a web browser, clearing your browser’s cache and cookies can sometimes resolve permission issues:
      1. Go to your browser settings.
      2. Clear cache and cookies.
      3. Reattempt to download the file from OneDrive.
    1. Update Excel
    • Ensure your Excel application is up to date. Sometimes, an outdated version of Excel might cause issues with file compatibility or permissions.

    The text and steps were edited with the help of AI.

    These steps should help you troubleshoot and resolve the issue of not being able to open your OneDrive Excel files. I just hope that this is not OneDrive for Business, it's best to ask your administrator.

     

    My answers are voluntary and without guarantee!

     

    Hope this will help you.

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