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Andrew Dickinson's avatar
Andrew Dickinson
Copper Contributor
May 24, 2018

User cannot be found error when using modern page File Viewer web part

When trying to add a document (PDF, PowerPoint, Excel) into the File Viewer web part I sometimes get this error - how can it be resolved? Multiple users have reported getting this error on modern pages, but from site to site the result is not consistent - in some sites we have been able to successfully use this web part.

 

This error sometimes appears below the PowerPoint document on the page, or otherwise it prevents the PDF / Excel document from being displayed.

 

Below is the error message received:

 

Something went wrong

If the problem persists, contact the site administrator and give them the information in Technical Details.
 
ERROR: User cannot be found.

5 Replies

  • Unfortunately this problem needs you open a support ticket so Microsoft support can dig on what's happening in your SPO tenant. You might need to provide a screenshot or the error details you have posted here
      • Joseph Boland's avatar
        Joseph Boland
        Copper Contributor

        We're seeing the same error in the same context:  File Viewer web part on the SharePoint modern page.  It seems obvious that the underlying issue is that the user who created the file is no longer an employee, and their account has been removed.  

         

        Outside of the File Viewer, files by this former user can be opened, edited, and saved.  Of course, none of these actions change the value of "Created By", which continues to reference the former employee's account.

         

        Apart from re-creating each file authored by this user, a tedious process, I'm not sure how to resolve this.  Any ideas?

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