Problem Sharing files and connecting to server

Question

Problem Sharing files and connecting to server

Pat Cecchi 20

I cannot share files from excel or word or from documents I've downloaded. I get the message that the server cannot be connected. I use a Mac laptop

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Answer accepted by question author

Kai-L 19,415 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Dear @Pat Cecchi,

I understand that you are seeing the error message “the server cannot be connected” when trying to share files from Excel, Word, or downloaded documents on your Mac. I’m sorry for the inconvenience this has caused. As a forum moderator, I am not able to access your account or review the backend systems directly to diagnose and resolve this for you. My role here is limited to providing general guidance and suggestions that users can try on their side.

From your description and my research, this issue may be related to OneDrive or Microsoft 365 sign-in/sync problems, especially if the files are stored in or being shared through OneDrive. Please try the following steps to see if they help:

1.Reset OneDrive

Select the OneDrive cloud icon in the top tray, then select Preferences > Pause > Quit OneDrive.
Find OneDrive in your Applications folder.
Control-click OneDrive and select Show Package Contents.
Navigate to the Contents > Resources folder.
Double-click ResetOneDriveApp.command (or ResetOneDriveAppStandalone.command, if you're using the standalone app).
Start OneDrive and finish the setup process.

For reference: Reset OneDrive - Microsoft Support

2.Sign out and sign back in to your Microsoft account

Open any Office app, such as Word or Excel.
Go to the app menu and sign out of your Microsoft account.
Close the Office app completely.
Reopen the app and sign in again with your Microsoft account.

3.Check macOS access and network settings

Go to System Settings > Privacy & Security > Files and Folders, and make sure OneDrive and Microsoft Office have the required access.
On your Mac, choose Apple menu > System Settings, then click Wi-Fi in the sidebar. (You may need to scroll down.)
Click Details, then click Forget This Network.
Join the network again
Restart your Mac, then test sharing again.

I hope this information is helpful. Please follow these steps and let me know if it works for you. If not, we can work together to resolve this. Thank you for your patience and understanding. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please feel free to share them in the comments so I can continue to support you. I'm looking forward to your reply.

If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it.

Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.

Kai-L 19,415 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-06-15T16:45:21.9666667+00:00

Dear @Pat Cecchi,

It has been a while and I am writing to see how things are going with this issue. If there’s anything else I can assist you with or if you need further clarification, please don’t hesitate to let me know, I’m here to help. Looking forward to hearing from you. Wishing you a great day ahead!
Pat Cecchi 20 Reputation points

2026-06-15T22:43:48.01+00:00

Thank you for your response. I am going to follow your instructions and see if it corrects the problem. I will report back. Thanks for your help!
Kai-L 19,415 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-06-16T20:24:27.65+00:00

Dear @Pat Cecchi,

I hope you are having a great day so far.

I'm reaching out again to follow up on your issue and check if everything has been resolved. My goal is to ensure your experience remains smooth and hassle-free. If you're still encountering any problems or have run into new challenges, please let me know which steps you're currently stuck on and happy to provide further help whenever you need it.

If you have any further questions, feel free to tag me in your reply so I can assist you directly.

Looking forward to your update. Also, if the information provided is helpful, please consider accepting the answer and giving it an upvote. This can help other community members who may experience a similar issue find the guidance more easily.
Pat Cecchi 20 Reputation points

2026-06-16T20:33:11.89+00:00

I’m working on it. Thanks!
Pat Cecchi 20 Reputation points

2026-06-17T16:20:50.35+00:00

this did not work. Thanks for your help.
Kai-L 19,415 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-06-17T17:49:52.3166667+00:00
Dear @Pat Cecchi,

Thank you for the update and for taking the time to try the suggested steps. I’m sorry the issue is still not resolved. Since the basic OneDrive and sign-in troubleshooting steps did not work, the next step is to narrow down whether the problem is related to the Office apps, OneDrive, the file location, or the sharing service itself.

Please try the following checks:

1.Test sharing from OneDrive on the web

Please go to OneDrive on the web, sign in with the same Microsoft account, upload or locate one of the affected files, and try sharing it directly from the browser.

If sharing works from OneDrive on the web, the issue is likely related to the Office apps or OneDrive app on your Mac.

If sharing also fails from OneDrive on the web, the issue may be account, permission, or service-related.

2.Confirm where the file is stored

Please check whether the file is saved:

Locally on your Mac

In OneDrive

In SharePoint

In another downloaded folder, such as Downloads or Documents

If the file is only stored locally, try saving or moving it to OneDrive first, then open it from OneDrive and test sharing again.

3.Update Office and OneDrive

Please make sure both Microsoft Office and OneDrive are fully updated.

Open Word or Excel.

Go to Help > Check for Updates.

Install any available updates.

Also confirm that OneDrive is updated to the latest version.

For reference: Update Office for Mac automatically | Microsoft Support

4.Try sharing from a different network

Although you already rejoined your Wi-Fi network, if possible, please test from another network, such as a mobile hotspot. This can help confirm whether the issue is related to the current network, firewall, DNS, or connection path.

5.Check whether the issue happens with a new test file

Please create a new blank Word or Excel file, save it to OneDrive, and then try sharing that new file.

If the new file can be shared, the issue may be related to the original files or their location.

If the new file also cannot be shared, the issue is more likely related to the Office/OneDrive account connection or the sharing service.

I hope these additional checks help narrow down the cause. Please let me know whether sharing works from OneDrive on the web and whether the issue also happens with a newly created test file. That information will help determine the next best step. Thank you for your patience and cooperation. I'm looking forward to your reply.
Kai-L 19,415 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-06-18T20:47:36.8066667+00:00

Dear @Pat Cecchi,

I hope everything is going well on your end.

I’m following up on the support thread we've been working through together. I wanted to check in and see if the information I shared in my previous answer helped resolve the issue you were experiencing. If you're still experiencing any issues or have further questions, please feel free to reach out at any time. I’m always happy to help if you need anything else.
Pat Cecchi 20 Reputation points

2026-06-18T21:36:23.9033333+00:00

I was able to send a document from one drive website. Now I will follow your other instructions. At least I know I can do it!
Kai-L 19,415 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-06-18T22:53:33.8633333+00:00

Dear @Pat Cecchi,

Thank you for the update, and I’m glad to hear that you were able to share the document from OneDrive on the web. Please continue with the other checks when convenient, and feel free to share the outcome if the issue still happens from Word or Excel. If you have any concerns or questions in the future, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Not only will I be happy to assist you, but all moderators in the Q&A forum will also do their best to provide support and guidance. Wishing you a smooth rest of your day.

1 additional answer

Your answer

Kai-L 19,415 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-06-15T16:45:21.9666667+00:00

Dear @Pat Cecchi,

It has been a while and I am writing to see how things are going with this issue. If there’s anything else I can assist you with or if you need further clarification, please don’t hesitate to let me know, I’m here to help. Looking forward to hearing from you. Wishing you a great day ahead!
Pat Cecchi 20 Reputation points

2026-06-15T22:43:48.01+00:00

Thank you for your response. I am going to follow your instructions and see if it corrects the problem. I will report back. Thanks for your help!
Kai-L 19,415 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-06-16T20:24:27.65+00:00

Dear @Pat Cecchi,

I hope you are having a great day so far.

I'm reaching out again to follow up on your issue and check if everything has been resolved. My goal is to ensure your experience remains smooth and hassle-free. If you're still encountering any problems or have run into new challenges, please let me know which steps you're currently stuck on and happy to provide further help whenever you need it.

If you have any further questions, feel free to tag me in your reply so I can assist you directly.

Looking forward to your update. Also, if the information provided is helpful, please consider accepting the answer and giving it an upvote. This can help other community members who may experience a similar issue find the guidance more easily.
Pat Cecchi 20 Reputation points

2026-06-16T20:33:11.89+00:00

I’m working on it. Thanks!
Pat Cecchi 20 Reputation points

2026-06-17T16:20:50.35+00:00

this did not work. Thanks for your help.
Kai-L 19,415 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-06-18T20:47:36.8066667+00:00

Dear @Pat Cecchi,

I hope everything is going well on your end.

I’m following up on the support thread we've been working through together. I wanted to check in and see if the information I shared in my previous answer helped resolve the issue you were experiencing. If you're still experiencing any issues or have further questions, please feel free to reach out at any time. I’m always happy to help if you need anything else.
Pat Cecchi 20 Reputation points

2026-06-18T21:36:23.9033333+00:00

I was able to send a document from one drive website. Now I will follow your other instructions. At least I know I can do it!
Kai-L 19,415 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-06-18T22:53:33.8633333+00:00

Dear @Pat Cecchi,

Thank you for the update, and I’m glad to hear that you were able to share the document from OneDrive on the web. Please continue with the other checks when convenient, and feel free to share the outcome if the issue still happens from Word or Excel. If you have any concerns or questions in the future, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Not only will I be happy to assist you, but all moderators in the Q&A forum will also do their best to provide support and guidance. Wishing you a smooth rest of your day.

Answer 1

Pat Cecchi 20

Also, all my Office subscriptions are up to date.

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