Forum Discussion
Now in Teams Public Preview: Default file open setting for office files
Feature description
The Teams desktop and web apps for Windows and Mac now enable users to configure the default app used to open Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files that have been shared in Microsoft Teams.
Users can configure Teams to open the file directly in Teams (default), open in the web browser, or open in the Word, Excel, or PowerPoint desktop apps.
Prior to this feature rollout, clicking a PowerPoint, Word, or Excel file shared in Teams would open the file in Teams. Users could then select the option to open the file in the browser or Office desktop app.
Alternatively, users could select More options (...) > Open and then select the target app in which they want to view/edit the Office file.
Note: While it was not previously possible to change the default, this menu now offers an entry point for users to change the default app used to open Office files.
Screenshot showing the options for opening an Excel spreadsheet from the Teams desktop app
Screenshot showing the 'Change default' options to configure which app is used to open Office files
Flighting status
Available to all starting now.
How to enable your client for Preview
Step 1: IT admins – read instructions here https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/MicrosoftTeams/public-preview-doc-updates
Step 2: Users – read instructions here
Feature release notes
Feature should be mentioned here before posting - https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/officeupdates/current-channel-preview
How to enable the feature
The ability to change the default app used to open Office files is available to all users by default. There are no admin controls or policies to disable this feature.
Users can navigate to Teams Settings > General and scroll down to the Files section. The dropdown menu can be used to select the default app to open Office files:
- Teams (default)
- Desktop app
- Browser
Screenshot of Teams general settings with the option for setting default Office file app highlighted
Note: The option to choose 'Desktop app' is only available when using the Teams desktop app for Windows or macOS and only applies to that device. The Teams web app only shows options for 'Teams' and 'Browser'.
O365 workload, Microsoft products dependency
Workload, product etc |
Dependency (Yes/No) |
If yes, please share version requirement and any other dependency requirements |
Office build |
Yes |
To open a file in the Office desktop apps, users must install and activate version 16 or higher of PowerPoint/Word/Excel. |
Clients supported -
|
|
|
|
|
Known issues
NA
Known limitations
To open a file in the Office desktop apps, users must install and activate version 16 or higher of PowerPoint/Word/Excel.
How to provide feedback
If you run into any issues report them via your Teams client -- Help (bottom left) -- Give feedback
Thank you,
Preview Team @Soumitra Paul
Quality & Customer Obsession, Microsoft Teams
- abdulraymanCopper ContributorIs it possible for IT Admins to set the default via Teams Admin Centre or Group Policies?
- DanielKlicksBrass ContributorThe feature is obviously rolling out now. I've checked the desktop-config.json and didn't find any related entry. Anyone managed to find out where the setting is stored? Would be great for IT admins to be able to set that for their users.
- whitneaCopper Contributor
This feature is most useful for changing the default to be open in desktop app, yet this only works with Office 16 not 365? Aren't the majority of Teams users on 365? This is not helpful at all.
- GaryHerbstmanBrass ContributorWe are only seeing Teams and Web options for the default. Open in Desktop App is missing.
- Glenn_HortonCopper ContributorSame.
I'm using Excel for Microsoft 365 MSO (16.0.13001.20254) 64-bit
and Teams Desktop version.
Public Preview I see nothing new.
Developer preview only allows defaults or Teams and Browser,
neither one being as useful (to me) as App.
I really really really want this feature.- RichLuskIron ContributorYes, you are correct that in Teams Settings it only shows Teams or Browser as the options for default. The option for Desktop does appear in Settings if you first go to any Office file in Teams and click the More options (...) > Open and then select "Change default". "Desktop app" should appear as an option and click that. Now the default is set to Desktop and will now appear in the Teams Settings. I believe there's a bug that is causing the Desktop option to not appear in Teams' Settings unless the above steps are taken.
- Cookie9123Copper ContributorHi, is being able to set this as an MS Teams admin for the organisation rather than it being for individuals going to be added?
Regards,
Lee - AnneRdkCopper ContributorHow do I get this feature?
I tried updating the app, and also downloading it again. I now have version 1.4.00.19572 (64 bit).- Hi, see the instructions above. Step 1 to start with https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/MicrosoftTeams/public-preview-doc-updates
Your Teams / IT admin needs to enable this for you. - JanHenkCopper Contributor
You can download a specific Teams version from this link (replace the version number) : https://statics.teams.cdn.office.net/production-windows-x64/1.4.00.13872/Teams_windows_x64.exe
Last version seems to be 1.4.00.20451 and that version shows the 'Desktop App' as an option !!
JanHenk Unlike other products the Teams features doesn't always correlate with version numbers, but instead are being released according to the different rings. But you can of course force a version upgrade if you'd like to do that with awareness that you can end up with a version not being supported for you. Until the next automatic update happening in the background which will adjust that (usually twice a month).
In other words, keep an eye on your version number now and later to see how your forced update will proceed.
The official way of getting new features are to search for updates and do a manual sign out / sign in.
Glad you see the option though 😉
- JHeath1Copper Contributor
Step 2: Users – read instructions here [Link from Jessica Reading]
There's no link. Please could this be added? Thank you
- Ching-Yoong_ChangBrass ContributorGood to see this is public preview.
However, I am really seeing the mismatch in the Release notes.
This feature was listed as available in 12 May 2021 M365 Current Channel (Preview) release note
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-gb/officeupdates/current-channel-preview#version-2105-may-12
but it is only available for public preview in July 2021.
How could we trust the release note then??? - JanHenkCopper ContributorI'm on version 1.4.00.20364 in Public preview. The solution is NOT working, the only options are to select between Teams and Browser. The Desktop App option is missing.
The downside of Public preview is that PowerBI tabs added on a page are no longer working. Switching back and forth between regular user and Public preview is not an option.JanHenk I can reproduce what you're experiencing, with all settings as they should be I can only see Teams or Browser. Bear in mind that features included in preview might not be complete and might undergo changes. They're provided for evaluation and exploration purposes only.
- DanBroadberryCopper Contributor
Not appearing for me either.
Teams version 1.4.00.22472 (64-bit). It was last updated on 19/08/2021.
Office Version Microsoft 365 MSO (16.0.14228.20216) 64-bit
Tried logging out and in.
Tried fully quitting.
Developer Preview and Public Preview both allowed and on.
I'd say you have a "Known issue" from looking at these comments.
The option to Open in app appears...
but does not appear to be possible to set as default...
- straycactusCopper Contributor
Unfortunately all files opened via the search bar still open within Teams, the setting is useless for anyone wanting to utilise the convenience of the search bar. Please fix this ASAP as otherwise the feature is useless to many of us. Cheers!