Excel links are downloading files instead of just opening them

This is a real regression/behavior change in Excel for the Web + SharePoint, and it’s been rolling out gradually. Short version: you didn’t break anything, and there is currently no user-side setting to force the old behavior back.

In Excel for the Web, Microsoft changed how hyperlinks to Office files are handled:

• Links to other Excel files stored in SharePoint / OneDrive
• When clicked inside Excel for the Web
• Are now treated as file downloads, not “open-in-web” links

This is intentional behavior, tied to:

• Security hardening
• Cross-app isolation (Excel → Excel)
• New file handling logic shared with Lists / Loop / OneDrive

So:

• No longer opens in a new browser tab
• Ignores ?web=1, ?web=1&action=default, etc.
• Ignores tenant-level “Open in browser by default” settings

Those parameters still work in SharePoint pages and emails, just not from inside Excel for the Web.

What still works (actual options)

Option1: Use SharePoint links, not file links

Instead of linking directly to the .xlsx file, link to its SharePoint item page:

Example:

https://tenant.sharepoint.com/sites/site/Shared%20Documents/Forms/AllItems.aspx?id=...

Opens in web
New tab
One extra click to open the file

This is currently the most reliable workaround.

What you cannot do anymore

• Force Excel for the Web to open another workbook in-browser
• Force new-tab behavior from hyperlinks
• Restore old behavior via settings or registry
• Fix this with VBA, Office Scripts, or formulas

Option2: Use a SharePoint page as a hub

Instead of Excel → Excel navigation:

Create a SharePoint page

Add File Viewer web parts

Link to those pages from Excel

Yes, it’s stupidly indirect — but it avoids downloads entirely.

My answers are voluntary and without guarantee!

Hope this will help you.

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