Shared link in Outlook opens in browser, not in desktop application

[IvanST]

Hello,

We have a colleague who works on a Mac and has 'Link handling' enabled, but where shared links keep opening in the browser, instead of the desktop application. It works fine for other colleagues (both Windows and Mac). 

The links are generated as follows:

• Colleague 1 opens a new email in Outlook and adds a shared link to a Word document via: 'Attach file' > 'Select document' > 'Share link' (document is hosted on SharePoint/OneDrive).
• The shared link is shown as an "attachment".
   
• The email is sent to colleague 2.
• Colleague 2 clicks on the link and the link opens in the browser, not in the desktop application.

Does anyone have any idea of what might cause this?

[#2]

Hi @IvanST,

If the link handling is enabled, you can try this options for resolving this issue:

1. Check if the default application settings on the Mac are properly configured. Ensure that the desktop application (for example Word) is set as the default application for opening the file types associated with the shared links (e.g., .docx).

2. Make sure the browser settings are not conflicting with the desired behavior of opening shared links in the desktop application. (some browsers have settings that can automatically handle specific file types, such as opening Office documents in the browser)

3. Ensure that both the Mac operating system, Microsoft Office suite, and the browser (if applicable) are up to date with the latest software updates.

Please click Mark as Best Response & Like if my post helped you to solve your issue. This will help others to find the correct solution easily. It also closes the item. If the post was useful in other ways, please consider giving it Like.

Kindest regards

Leon Pavesic

[#3]

Thank you LeonPavesic. I will see if this helps any. Will let you know.

[#4]

Hello LeonPavesic

1. This is setting is configured correctly
2. The colleague uses Safari, but I'm unable to find settings that automatically open Office documents in te browser. Does anyone know where to find this in Safari (if it exists)?
3. All the latest updates have been installed.

If you have any other ideas I would love to hear.

Thank you

[#5]

Hello @IvanST,

thanks for the update.

There are a few more things you can try:

1. Reset the default application for the file types:

   • On the colleague's Mac, go to "System Preferences" by clicking on the Apple menu in the top-left corner of the screen and selecting "System Preferences."
   • In the System Preferences window, click on "General."
   • Look for the "Default web browser" option and select a different browser (other than Safari) as the default browser.
   • Restart the Mac to apply the changes.
   • After restarting, go back to "System Preferences" > "General" and set the desired browser (such as Safari) back as the default web browser.
   • Try opening the shared links in Outlook again and check if they open in the desktop application instead of the browser.

2. Clear the cache and cookies in Safari:

   • Open Safari on the colleague's Mac.
   • Go to the Safari menu in the top-left corner of the screen and select "Preferences."
   • In the Preferences window, navigate to the "Privacy" tab.
   • Click on the "Manage Website Data" button.
   • In the Manage Website Data window, search for and remove any website data related to SharePoint, OneDrive, or Outlook.
   • Close Safari completely and then relaunch it.
   • Try opening the shared links again in Outlook and see if they now open in the desktop application.

3. Test with a different browser:

   • Install a different browser like Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox on the colleague's Mac.
   • Open the newly installed browser and set it as the default browser temporarily.
   • Repeat the steps to open the shared links in Outlook and check if they open in the desktop application using the new browser.
   • If the shared links open correctly in the desktop application in the new browser, it suggests a potential issue with Safari on the colleague's Mac.

Please click Mark as Best Response & Like if my post helped you to solve your issue. This will help others to find the correct solution easily. It also closes the item. If the post was useful in other ways, please consider giving it Like.

Kindest regards

Leon Pavesic

[#6]

Will test it with my colleague and let you know. Thank you.

[#7]

Hello LeonPavesic,

Again thank you for your comprehensive reply. Unfortunately it did not work for the colleague in question. Same issue for a different browser. Not sure if there is anything else we might try or it is what it is...