Configure how Office documents open from SharePoint

Before you start

• This setting applies to Office documents (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx) stored in a SharePoint document repository. Other DMS providers and non-Office file types are not affected.
• You need access to Modeller > Global features to enable or disable the feature.

Overview

Starting with version 7.12, Clio Operate can open Office documents in a SharePoint DMS in either the desktop application (e.g., Word, Excel, or PowerPoint) or the browser (e.g., Word Online). The SharePoint global feature controls which option Clio Operate uses across the product.

When the feature is enabled, Clio Operate also forces the SharePoint repository to expand metadata fields. Configurators do not need to change that setting manually. See Behind the scenes for details.

Where the setting applies

The global feature controls how Office documents open from these surfaces:

• Related Documents widgets, including the DMS, Standard, Flat, and Search variants.
• The on-generated open that happens after a document is created through Prepare Document.
• The Edit/Open button on the Document Preview panel.
• The Edit/Open button on the Document Preview widget.

Steps

1. In Clio Operate, navigate to Modeller > Global features.
2. Locate the SharePoint feature in the Document Management section (the Advanced toggle needs to be set on.)
3. Toggle the Open in application by default switch to on to open Office documents in the desktop app. Leave it off to keep the existing behaviour, which opens documents in Word Online or the equivalent browser application.
4. Save the change.

The new behaviour applies to all users on the environment once the change is saved.

Behind the scenes

When the feature is set to on, Clio Operate forces the SharePoint repository setting repository.matter-documents.type.expandMetadataFields to true. This happens regardless of the value visible in the repository configuration UI, so you do not need to update it yourself.

The same override applies when a SharePoint repository has the OpenNatively capability configured.