Forum Discussion

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

Deleted

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

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.

Deleted
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
  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.