Open Excel, Word and PDF files Automatically

SIS: Open Excel, Word and PDF files Automatically in Supported Browsers

Open Excel, Word and PDF files for eSD Exports and Reports

This article describes how to update supported browser setting so that MS Word, Excel and PDF files open automatically when exporting or running reports from within the eSD SIS.
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Google Chrome

  1. Click on an Excel, Word or PDF icon in the eSD SIS
  2. Click the Google Chrome Downloads folder
  3. Right click on a Word, Excel or PDF files and select "Always Open Files of this Type"

MS Edge

  1. Open Edge and navigate to settings: Click the three dots (ellipsis) in the upper right corner, then select "Settings". 
  2. Go to Downloads: Click on "Downloads" in the left-hand menu. 
  3. Enable "Open Office files in the browser": Find the option "Open Office files in the browser" and toggle it on. 
  4. Optional: Enable "Always ask me if I want to save a file or open it without saving" and "Show the download menu when a download starts" 

Safari

To open Word or Excel files directly from Safari on a Mac, you need to ensure that the associated application is set as the default for those file types. You can do this by selecting a file, choosing "Get Info," selecting "Open With," and then choosing the desired application. 

  1. Locate the File: Find the Word (.docx) or Excel (.xlsx) file you want to open in the Finder or on your desktop. 
  2. Select the File and Get Info: Right-click on the file and select "Get Info". 
  3. Change the Default Application: In the "Get Info" window, find the section labeled "Open With".
  4. Click the dropdown menu next to "Open With" and select the application you want to use to open this file type (e.g., Microsoft Word or Microsoft Excel).
  5. Click the "Change All..." button. Confirm that you want to change the default application for all files of this type. 

Other Recommendations

Ensuring Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and Safari are up to date and regularly clearing browser cache is a good practice, especially when encountering issues or significant changes to web-based applications or websites.
  1. Verify that Google Chrome is up to date
    1. Click the 3-dot Menu in the upper-right corner of Chrome
    2. Select Help
    3. Click About Google Chrome - The update will happen automatically if needed.

  1. Clear your Web Browser Cache 
    1. Press Control + H on the keyboard, OR Click the 3-dot Menu in the upper-right corner of Chrome
    2. Select History > History
    3. Click Clear Browsing Data
    4. Click the Advanced tab 
    5. In the Time Range, select All Time
    6. Select “Cached images and files" (and any other items you may want to clear)
    7. Click Clear data

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    Close out of the browser (all windows) and relaunch.

    Microsoft Edge

    1. Verify that Microsoft Edge is up to date
      1. Click the 3-dot Menu in the upper-right corner of Edge
      2. Select Help and Feedback
      3. Click About Microsoft Edge - The update will happen automatically if needed.

    1. Clear your Web Browser Cache
      1. Press Control + H on the keyboard OR Click the 3-dot Menu in the upper-right corner of Edge
      2. Select History
      3. Click the Delete icon on the History Window
      4. Select All Time in the time range
      5. Select Cookies and other site data
      6. Select Cached images and files
      7. Click Clear Now

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    Restart the browser

    Safari

    1. Verify that Safari is up to date
      1. Updating or upgrading the operating system on your device will ensure that you are running the latest version of Safari
    2. Clear your Web Browser Cache on a MAC
      1. Click Settings
      2. Click Privacy
      3. Click the Manage Website Data button.
      4. Click Remove All to remove any cached data and cookies.
      5. Click Remove Now in the new dialogue box.
      6. Click Done.
      7. Close the dialogue box.
      8. Press Command +Q to quit Safari
    3. On an iPhone or iPad
      1. Go to Settings > Apps > Safari
      2. Tap Clear History and Website Data
      3. Tap Clear History to confirm