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uchidozie's avatar
uchidozie
Copper Contributor
Dec 19, 2025

Excel links are downloading files instead of just opening them

I have links to other workbooks in an excel document that on sharepoint. When I open it on the web, the links download the document instead of just opening it in a separate tab like it used to. When I open in on the desktop version, the links open the web version. I've tried adding ?=web1, I've checked all the setting that every other forum says to check but its still downloading them instead of just opening them. This is the 4th feature this month I've been using that Microsoft has made worse for no reason.

excel
Excel for web

1 Reply

  • NikolinoDE's avatar
    NikolinoDE
    Platinum Contributor
    Dec 22, 2025

    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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