OneDrive is excited to launch the Open in App feature, a game-changer for those who prefer working directly in native applications.
Until now, only Word, PowerPoint, and Excel files could be opened in their native desktop applications; other file types like PDFs, JPEGs, or MP4s would open in a preview mode where you would be able to view but not edit the file. We’ve heard your feedback around wanting a more seamless workflow, directly accessing and editing all of your files in their dedicated apps, not just Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. Open in App makes this possible.
Now, while working with OneDrive or SharePoint in a browser, or the latest version of Teams, you can open files directly in their native applications. You can edit as needed, and then be assured that your changes will be saved right back to the cloud, maintaining a smooth and efficient workflow.
Effortlessly open and edit files in their native apps
Using the new Open in App experience is simple. Imagine you’re in your favorite browser, using your Microsoft work or school account. In the My files view in OneDrive or a SharePoint document library, right-click on a file, then select Open > Open in app. The file will open in its native app, directly from your browser. You get the benefit of full functionality, allowing you to access the complete set of features and tools that the application offers.
Seamlessly open your files in a desktop app by selecting Open in app in the My files view in OneDrive for Web.
Open SharePoint files in their desktop apps by selecting Open in app in SharePoint.
Using Open in App in Microsoft Teams
This seamless experience isn’t just for your browser. It also works with the latest version of Teams. To open your OneDrive files in their native apps from Teams, navigate to the My files view, right-click on a file and select Open > Open in app.
To open your teams’ shared files in their native apps from Teams, navigate to a channel, select the Files pivot, right-click on a file and select Open > Open in app.
Choosing default apps
If there is a default app available to open the file, then the Open in app option automatically chooses that app to open your file. When a default app is not configured, the system will ask you to select a default app, giving you the flexibility to configure specific default apps for different file types. Once opened, you can make and save changes to a file in the desktop app, and any changes you save will sync back to OneDrive or SharePoint.
Availability and requirements
Open in app is currently rolling out to work and school accounts on Windows and macOS devices that have the OneDrive sync client installed. If the sync client is installed but not running, selecting Open in app will start the client. You will also need to have the desired native desktop applications installed on your PC or Mac. For SharePoint sites, you will need to enable Offline Client Availability. This feature is not yet available for personal accounts or on other operating systems. Learn more.
We hope you find Open in app useful when working with your files in OneDrive, SharePoint, and Teams! If you have questions or comments, please leave them below. Additionally, commercial customers are welcome to join OneDrive Customer Office Hours, a monthly Microsoft Teams meeting where our product team will answer your questions, demo new features, and get your feedback. To get on the meeting invite list, just sign up for OneDrive Customer Office Hours. You can also download the OneDrive quick start guide or sign up for the OneDrive newsletter.
About the author
Kayla Ngan is a Principal Product Manager on the OneDrive Sync team. She joined the team in November 2020. In her free time, she enjoys being outdoors, traveling, and eating sushi.