Forum Discussion
Link doesn't work
Microsoft has confirmed as a known issue and it is being treated as a regression awaiting an engineering update. Today, one of the laptop has got latest Version 2602 Build 16.0.19725.20078 where links are working fine otherwise I ran Online Repair Office which works as well.
The error message shows Excel trying to open a file:/// link to a UNC path with URL-encoded spaces:
file:///\\G...\Year%20end%20pack%202024.xlsx%23API!A1
This is almost always a link parsing issue, not a missing file.
This strongly suggests a profile-specific Office/URL handler issue, not a global Excel or server problem.
Most Likely Cause
Excel 365 (newer builds like 2601) sometimes mishandles:
- URL-encoded file paths
- file:/// UNC format links
- FSLogix-mounted profile redirections
Especially when the hyperlink includes a cell reference (#API!A1).
Workarounds/Fix
Recreate the Hyperlink
From:
file:///\\Server\Share\Folder\Year%20end%20pack%202024.xlsx#API!A1
to:
\\Server\Share\Folder\Year end pack 2024.xlsx#API!A1
Or recreate using:
Right-click → Link → Existing File → browse to file
Do NOT paste a file:/// URL.
If this fixes it → your issue is URL encoding handling in that build.
If You Want a Permanent Technical Solution
If these are auto-generated links (SharePoint, scripts, etc.), modify them so they:
Don’t use:
file:///\\server\share\file.xlsx
Use:
\\server\share\file.xlsx
In the End, in AVD environments on 2601, the most consistent fix I've seen is:
Online Repair Office + disable Office file sync integration.
My answers are voluntary and without guarantee!
Hope this will help you.
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