Microsoft Word attempts to save to Sharepoint instead of local drive

Hi Remboy,

Firstly, I'd like to explain that you could create the file in synced folder even you don't have Internet access.

Secondly, if the file is still syncing in OneDrive synced folder, it will open the previous version of the file since the latest version has not successfully uploaded to SharePoint Online.

Based on your description, the main problem you've met is the error message "we couldn't merge changes to file XXX, so you now have two copies of file XXX." when you work on a file.

You can try the following steps to clear the Microsoft Upload Center cache.

1. Click Start –> Microsoft Office –> Office Upload Center.

2. Click Settings.

3. Delete cached files.

4. Go to OneDrive Settings, stop syncing your account then re-add your account to OneDrive.

Meanwhile, you can provide the error message to us so we can confirm you situation.

Regards,

Tisky

Dear Tisky,

Thanks again for coming back to me.

Firstly, I know I can create files in a synced folder folder without internet access... this really is not the issue.

Secondly, you say: "if the file is still syncing in OneDrive synced folder, it will open the previous version of the file since the latest version has not successfully uploaded to SharePoint Online."

You are CORRECT that this SHOULD be the expected behaviour, however, it is NOT. It doesn't open the previous version stored within the local OneDrive folder. It opens the last version uploaded on Sharepoint. Therefore, if I make a change to file A within my OneDrive folder, close it, then reopen it and make another change: BANG I get the sync error because local OneDrive tries to upload the file modifications while the cloud-based OneDrive tries to download the old modifications. I would like this to work one-way: i.e., if I make a new change to the local folder before the online version has finished downloading, then the most recent LOCAL version takes over. Not the most-recent-online-but-not-actual-last-version to take over.

Thirdly, you say: "Based on your description, the main problem you've met is the error message "we couldn't merge changes to file XXX, so you now have two copies of file XXX." when you work on a file." This is in part correct that it is a significant problem, although it is NOT the main problem, just a side-effect of the main problem (i.e., Word doesn't open local file, but rather open sharepoint version of file).

For example, if I want to make a copy of a file, I open an already synced file and save as with a new name. However, it saves online at the sharepoint url. Therefore, until I close it, it will not download to my ACTUAL OneDrive folder. This is problem for instance because if I lose internet, although I thought I saved locally, I won't have access to that file.

I don't know if I'm clear. When I double-click on a file, I want Microsoft Word to give priority to open the document located in D:\OneDrive\document1 rather than https://sharepoint.com/document1. Is it that complicated? If I want to open https://sharepoint.com/document1, I'll just LOG IN INTO MY BROWSER and change the document directly on the website there. But that's not what I want.

Since you ask for error messages, one I get is "UPLOAD BLOCKED We ran into a problem with this file and can't save any new changes. Please save a copy to avoid losing your work. >> Save a Copy <<" and another one is "This document could not be registered. It will not be possible to create links from other documents". These errors messages are all due to the fact that Microsoft Word opens A SHAREPOINT VERSION OF THE FILE LOCATED IN https://sharepoint.com/document instead of the correct file located in D:\OneDrive\document, as it SHOULD BE DOING.

I should mention that the same behaviour happens with other Office files, such as Excel for instance.

Fourthly, you propose to clear the Microsoft Upload Center cache. However, if you had read my previous message correctly, you would have seen that I ALREADY tried deleting the cache in the proposed manner, and it didn't solve the problem (and I did it again just to make sure, still didn't work). I will also repeat again (in case you didn't read that either) that I already attempted an office repair as well.

Look, it is not an issue of cache... it is a BUILT-IN functionality that was integrated in a recent update! Just read all the comments in the other thread I linked in my previous post: https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/onedrive/forum/odwork-odedit/file-changes-couldnt-be-merged/99efc208-885f-4df7-af2d-529d9a34af6e

People mention it has only recently started doing this behaviour. On my end I identified the specific circumstances in which this problem arises and is easily reproducible. I'm pretty sure I could reproduce it on a number of machines (you could try it as per my instructions to verify this). People just don't notice it because it doesn't always lead to the same error but it does lead to confusion about file version (it also seems to be linked to internet speed, with the problem more important with low internet speed, or when lots of data/files are uploading at the same time).

I would like to point out that I tried reproducing the same behaviour with my personal OneDrive folder that doesn't use sharepoint and when trying to save as after opening the file while there was still the OneDrive uploading icon the proposed save location, instead of sharepoint location, was https://d.docs.live.net. So, it seems that may be a problem that is shared across OneDrive platforms.

Earlier, I provided my ticket case number containing my conversation with another Microsoft agent which understood my problem very well, however could not technically help with my problem since I have OneDrive pro. That Microsoft agent actually logged in into my machine and observed the problem by himself. Have you at least read that ticket conversation? Actually, is it possible to ask for another Microsoft agent to look at my case? I feel like we are having too many miscommunication problems.

Thank you,

Hi Remboy, 

I can understand the frustration.  The new OneDrive from the most recent update is definitely causing these problems.  Like you all of us here work directly out of our OneDrive Synched folder and now experience the duplicate files or delay when opening a file depending on how "Use Office 2016 to sync Office files" is checked/unchecked.   It seems many of us just want OneDrive to work similar to DropBox.  The collaboration features MS is trying to add is causing problems for us general users and the option provided to turn that off is not working correctly.   

-Bob

Hi Tisky,

Any updates on this issue? Have you read my last message to you? You haven't responded yet...