How to Open Excel Files on OneDrive Directly in the App from OneNote (A Quick Tip to Bypass the Browser)

2026-08-30

OneNote is convenient for managing notes and reference materials, allowing you to manage cloud-stored files via links. Embedding Excel files stored on OneDrive, in particular, should enable smooth access for teams and individuals.
However, clicking the link often opens Excel Online (the browser version), and opening it in the Excel desktop app can sometimes require an extra step.

Why Open in the App?

To use the full-featured Excel application
To eliminate unnecessary browser-based steps
To work efficiently even in environments where OneDrive synchronization is unavailable

What Happens with Standard Links?

Pasting a standard OneDrive link into OneNote always opens it in the browser.
A manual switch to “Open in Excel" is required.
In environments where OneDrive sync is not available, local path linking methods cannot be used.

How to Create a Link That Bypasses the Browser

Using `ms-excel:ofe|u|`

By transforming the OneDrive Excel link as follows, you can open it directly in the Excel app.

ms-excel:ofe|u|https://～～～（OneDrive上のExcelファイルのURL）

Steps

Open the target Excel file in OneDrive and get the URL via “Copy link."
Add ms-excel:ofe|u| to the beginning of the URL.
Simply paste this link into OneNote.

ms-excel:ofe|u|https://d.docs.live.net/xxxxxxx/Documents/test.xlsx

Now, the moment you click it, the Excel app will launch.

Conclusion: Big Time-Savings from a Small Trick

Even when you embed OneDrive Excel files into OneNote, the browser launches by default. While this was especially inconvenient in environments without OneDrive sync, you can solve it by utilizing ms-excel:ofe|u|.