Change Sync Conflict Settings For Office Files

Most of the time, Office automatically syncs changes to Office files saved in OneDrive. On rare occasions, if an Office app closes unexpectedly, or if changes made from different devices can't be resolved, a sync conflict can occur. If you run into problems with changes not syncing or merging properly, you might want to change your sync settings in OneDrive. Following error for example:


  1. Select the white or blue OneDrive cloud icon in the Windows taskbar notification area (bottom-right corner).


  2. Select OneDrive Help and Settings icon: Help & Settings > Settings.(You might need to click the Show hidden icons arrow next to the notification area to see the OneDrive icon.)


  3. Select the Office tab.


  4. To stop using Office to sync Office files, clear the Use Office applications to sync Office files that I open check box.
  5. If you use Office to sync Office files, select how you want it to handle Sync conflicts:
    Let me choose to merge changes or keep both copies If you choose this option, when you have a Word, Excel, PowerPoint or Visio file with conflicting changes, OneDrive will ask you if you want to open the file in Office to merge the changes, or keep both copies.
    Always keep both copies (rename the copy on this computer) If you choose this option, OneDrive keeps both copies of the file and renames the copy on your computer to add the computer name to the file name.