M365 Changelog: (Updated) OneDrive Open in App availablility

MC689500 – Updated November 17, 2023: Microsoft has updated the content below with additional information.

In the same way that you can open a Word, PowerPoint, or Excel file in their respective desktop apps, you can now open any file in its desktop app, edit it, and the changes will sync to OneDrive. From OneDrive’s My Files or Sharepoint’s Documents, users can now select Open In App to open a file in its native app.

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Note: this feature is powered by OneDrive’s Sync Client – it requires having it installed on the user’s machine. In case it’s not running it will start it. 

This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 124813

When this will happen:

Targeted Release: Microsoft will begin rolling out in mid-November 2023.

Standard Release: Microsoft will begin rolling out in early December 2023 and expect to complete by late January 2024.

How this will affect your organization:

Users can open any file in its desktop app, edit it, and the changes will sync to OneDrive.

Note: You may encounter unexpected behavior when opening a file that depends on other files. Microsoft recommend syncing the containing folder using Add shortcut and trying again.

What you need to do to prepare:

You may consider updating your training and documentation as appropriate.

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