How do I open and work with SharePoint files?

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Your SharePoint document libraries offer many ways to work with your files, from creating files to copying and moving them between folders. You can view the work that you and others have done on the files, and save earlier versions that you can restore if needed. You and your team have a lot of control over where, what, and how you work with your files.

Opening and editing files in a document library

Files associated with Microsoft 365 apps like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint can be opened and edited online when you click the file name in a document library. When you edit in Microsoft 365, all changes are automatically saved.

If you have the relevant Microsoft 365 app installed, you can also open files directly with your desktop applications.

1. Right click on the file you want to open.
2. Select Open.
3. Choose either Open in browser or Open in app from the context menu.
4. If you choose to Open in app then you will be prompted by your browser to confirm whether you want to open the file with the relevant app. There is a checkbox to confirm this choice.

If you don’t have the relevant app installed to open the file, you’ll get an option to download the file instead.

See activity on files in a document library

When working with a team, you can watch file activity such as adding, deleting, and editing in a document library to be sure things are on track.

1. Right click on the file that you want to know more about.
2. Select Details from the context menu.