How to Automatically open SharePoint File in Desktop App

By default, SharePoint often opens Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files in the browser, which can be limiting if you prefer the full functionality of the desktop apps. Fortunately, there are several ways to change this behavior. It can be set at the library level, applied across an entire site, or on a file-by-file basis. We’ll cover three methods to make sure your SharePoint files open directly in their desktop applications for a smoother editing experience.

1. Set it at the document library level

If you have full control as a Site Owner over a specific document library:

• Go to your SharePoint site and open the desired document library.
• Click the gear icon (⚙️) and choose Library settings.

• Select More Library Settings.

• Select Advanced settings.

• Under Opening Documents in the Browser, choose Open in the client application.

• Scroll to the bottom and click OK to save.

Now, anyone opening Word, Excel or PowerPoint files from that library will have them launch in the desktop app by default.

2. Apply it site‑wide to all libraries

As a site‑collection administrator, you can enforce the setting across an entire site:

• On the top‑level site, click the gear icon and select Site information, then choose View all site settings.

• Under Site Collection Administration, click Site collection features.

• Find Open Documents in Client Applications by Default and click Activate.

This turns on the desktop‑app default for every document library within that site.

3. Manual override (available to all users)

Even without admin permissions, you can still open a file in the desktop app at any time:

• Navigate to the file in the library or in OneDrive for Business.
• Click the ••• (More) button next to the file name.
• Choose Open → Open in app.

This reliably launches the desktop version—and if needed, OneDrive sync will also be activated to support it.

These three methods for opening a SharePoint file within the desktop application can help either you or the visitors to your SharePoint to open their files within the desktop app for easier editing. Let me know any questions below and thanks for reading!