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Can't work on same Excel file from different devices...

Anonymous
2025-04-09T16:59:47+00:00

I have seen similar Posts, but they are all 'Locked' {Closed)...

I have an Excel workbook which I work on from a Windows laptop, Android tablet and Android phone. Whilst I understand the latter 2 versions are not 'full-featured', I would have expected to be able to Save any changes made regardless of which device they were made on...!

Today, on the tablet, there is a 'banner' message at the top of the Excel window below the toolbar which reads, "Can't upload - Something's wrong and your changes can't be uploaded". (the file is Saved to my personal OneDrive) The options available are 'Save a copy' or 'Dismiss'. I don't want to have a Copy as that will just confuse which 'version' of the file to Save future changes to! I made sure to Close the file - and Excel - on the other devices then tried again, but same result! Despite being the only person accessing this file - albeit on different devices - I thought Office365 apps were meant to be able to work collaboratively (different users in different locations at the same time) but this doesn't seem to be the case?

Any ideas? TIA

Microsoft 365 and Office | Excel | For home | Android

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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  1. Anonymous
    2025-04-10T17:09:03+00:00

    Hello UKdeejay,

    In order to resolve the issue of syncing your Excel workbook across devices via OneDrive perform these steps:

    1. Check OneDrive Sync Status:
      • Ensure OneDrive is running and syncing properly on all devices. Look for the OneDrive icon in the taskbar (Windows) or notification area (Android) and confirm there are no sync errors.
    2. Verify File Location:
      • Make sure the file is saved in the OneDrive folder on your Windows laptop. If it's saved elsewhere, move it to the OneDrive folder and allow it to sync.
    3. Resolve Sync Conflicts:
      • If you see the "Can't upload" banner, it might indicate a sync conflict. Open the file on your Windows laptop, save it with a new name, and let it sync to OneDrive. Then, try accessing the new file on your other devices.
    4. Update Apps:
      • Ensure Excel and OneDrive apps are updated to the latest versions on all devices. Outdated apps can cause compatibility issues.
    5. Clear OneDrive Cache:
      • On Android devices, go to Settings > Apps > OneDrive > Storage and clear the cache. Restart the app and try again.
    6. Check File Permissions:
      • Confirm that you have full access to the file. Right-click the file in OneDrive (on your laptop), select "Manage Access," and ensure your account has editing permissions.
    7. Test with a New File:
      • Create a new Excel file, save it to OneDrive, and test syncing across devices. This can help identify if the issue is specific to the original file.
    8. Reset OneDrive:
      • On your Windows laptop, reset OneDrive by running the command: %localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset. After resetting, restart OneDrive and allow it to sync.

    Best Regards,

    Van Johnson | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

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