How to Open Documents in a Client Application in SharePoint Online

By default, in SharePoint Online, the documents are opened in the browser. Therefore, the same happens with connected ShortPoint Design Elements.

If you would like to change these settings and make the documents open locally, in a client application installed on a user's computer (for example, an .xlsx spreadsheet on a local MS Excel application), this article is for you.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Step 1. Disable the Browser Mode
  • On a Document Library level:
  • On a Site Collection level:
• Step 2. Connect

Step 1. Disable the Browser Mode

You can do it either for a specific SharePoint document library, or at the Site Collection level.

On a Document Library level:

Open the library, click Library Settings in the Ribbon:

Click Advanced Settings:

Under Open Documents in the Browser, choose Open in the client application:

Press OK to save the changes.

On a Site Collection level:

Open Site Settings:

Click Site Collection Features:

Activate Open Documents in Client Applications by Default:

Step 2. Connect

Connect a ShortPoint Design Element to the document library properly. 

Note: For a complete reference on ShortPoint Connect, please visit this article: ShortPoint Connect: Basic Tutorial.

While mapping, you need to choose URL Path as a document link:

That's it, now your documents presented in ShortPoint Design Elements will open in a client application.

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