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Vanessa Martin's avatar
Vanessa Martin
Brass Contributor
May 25, 2018

SharePoint Online: Co-authoring with differing versions of Word

Does co-authoring have issues when authors are using different versions of Word? If yes, any solutions other than using Word Online, which has some functionality limits.   We are using SharePoint ...
SharePoint Online
Gregory Frick's avatar
Gregory Frick
Iron Contributor
May 25, 2018

Great question, and yes.   It would be great to get someone from MS describe the optimal configuration and also cover that error and other gotcha's.  Having files locked from editing because someone is editing it and that someone is you is incredibly frustrating.  

Versions 

2010

2013 -

2016 - MSI installation vs. Click-to-Run

2016 Mac

Mobile Apps - For Android and iOS

 

What is required to have real-time (with clicking save)  co-authoring Word, do you have to use Word Online?  How about Excel?

 

 

 

Anonymous's avatar
Anonymous
May 25, 2018
Basically the only versions of Office that currently work are targeted release Office 2016. It may be in the semi-annual builds by now, but essentially, if you don't have the Auto save button on top, you cannot co-author using the office client. Anyone opening the file direct without Auto-save, it will lock the file for editing.
  • Vanessa Martin's avatar
    Vanessa Martin
    Brass Contributor
    May 25, 2018

    Hi Christopher,

    Can you clarify your statement?

    We have been using Word 2013 when co-authoring through SharePoint Online for a couple of years. And, unfortunately, having editing/saving issues periodically.

    Could you provide a screenshot of this Auto Save button?

    Does this mean that you can't co-author with Word 2013?

    It would be nice if Microsoft would state clearly the scenarios in which co-authoring on SharePoint Online will and will not work.

    Thanks for responding.

    • Anonymous's avatar
      Anonymous
      May 25, 2018

      Sorry I was thinking Excel, that requires recent Excel. Here is a post I found detailing coauthoring with SharePoint Online / OneDrive: https://support.office.com/en-us/article/Document-collaboration-and-co-authoring-EE1509B4-1F6E-401E-B04A-782D26F564A4

      However folks can lock files by turning off Auto-Save or if they have that off by default it will basically lock the file. It's here in the top left corner of Office client:

      • Vanessa Martin's avatar
        Vanessa Martin
        Brass Contributor
        May 28, 2018

        Thanks for the screenshot Christopher. 

        The button looks unfamiliar to me. Since I am on Office 2013, I suspect that the button is part of the 2016 package. I wonder if there is a counterpart to that button in Office 2013.

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