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a531531's avatar
a531531
Copper Contributor
May 16, 2022

Shortcuts in SharePoint

I'm trying to make a file that acts as a shortcut to another file in a SharePoint document library on both the web version and the file explorer.   I have tried the following:   LNK Files I can ...
Document Library
files
onedrive
SharePoint Online
PamDeGraffenreid's avatar
PamDeGraffenreid
MVP
May 16, 2022
I can't duplicate this... From file explorer: If I right click and select shortcut (.url) - it works there. If I create it in a place that is syncing with OneDrive, it also works when I open it in OneDrive. I tested a link to google and also to the default view on a SharePoint document library. When I test with a link to a specific view, it tried to download instead of opening. I tested with Edge and Chrome. I also tested creating a shortcut on my desktop right click and select shortcut), then uploading it to OneDrive- no problem.
  • a531531's avatar
    a531531
    Copper Contributor
    May 17, 2022

    PamDeGraffenreid
    This is my situation:

     

    I have a synced/shared folder with the path

    C:/Users/myuser/Example Tenant/Example Site - Documents

     

    In that folder, I have a file with the path

    C:/Users/myuser/Example Tenant/Example Site - Documents/Target File.docx

     

    I do the following:

    1. Right-click the file

    2. Select "Create shortcut"

    3. Rename the shortcut to "Shortcut to Target File"

     

    The path of the shortcut-file is now

    C:/Users/myuser/Example Tenant/Example Site - Documents/Shortcut to Target File.lnk

     

    This shortcut points to

    C:/Users/myuser/Example Tenant/Example Site - Documents/Target File.docx

     

    Another user is syncing the same site to their computer.

    In their file explorer, they see a shortcut-file

    C:/Users/otheruser/Example Tenant/Example Site - Documents/Shortcut to Target File.lnk

     

    They right click the shortcut file to inspect it's properties.

    The shortcut points to

    C:/Users/myuser/Example Tenant/Example Site - Documents/Target File.docx

     

    When the other user double-clicks that shortcut, nothing happens.

    This is because they do not have a file with the path

    C:/Users/myuser/Example Tenant/Example Site - Documents/Target File.docx

     

    However, the other user does have a file with the path

    C:/Users/otheruser/Example Tenant/Example Site - Documents/Target File.docx

     

    Does this make sense?

    • PamDeGraffenreid's avatar
      PamDeGraffenreid
      MVP
      May 17, 2022

      a531531 I see. Two options:

      • From the browser, select the document, and select 'Copy Link' from the ribbon. Then use the copied URL to create s shortcut.
      • From your local sync folder,  right click on a file, and select Share to generate a link that you can use to create a shortcut.

      Those links should work for anyone that has access because it will point directly to the document in the browser.   

      • MarkGilmour1220's avatar
        MarkGilmour1220
        Copper Contributor
        Aug 20, 2024
        (different guy with same problem)

        Cheers, this is a better solution than I had previously, but I'm still annoyed that I'm forced to switch to the janky web interface if I want a shortcut others can use, I'd much rather stay on the file explorer and normal MS programs interface.

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