How can I edit Office files using Office for the Web?

Summary: This page explains how to edit Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files online in Salesforce using Office for the Web. It shows how to start editing from the Files and Folders component and explains file locking, co-authoring, and automatic version creation.

Cartularius lets you edit Office files, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files, directly in your browser using Office for the Web. This allows you to update documents without downloading them, while keeping them connected to the correct Salesforce record and folder structure.

This is often the fastest way to update Office documents in Cartularius, especially when you collaborate with colleagues.

How to start editing Office files from the Files and Folders component?

1. Open the Salesforce record you are working on.
2. In the Files and Folders component, locate the Office file (Word, Excel, or PowerPoint).
3. Open the row actions for the file and click Edit in Office for the Web.
4. The document opens full screen in a new browser tab.
5. Start editing.

Changes are saved regularly while you work.

What happens while you edit?

When a file is opened in Office for the Web:

• The file is locked for editing to prevent conflicting changes
  • This effectively means the file cannot be moved, deleted, or otherwise altered in a way that disrupts the editing process.
• A lock icon appears next to the filename in the Files and Folders component
• Other users can see that the file is being edited
• Multiple users can open the file to co-author and see updates in real time

When you close the browser tab, Cartularius ends the editing session and automatically unlocks the file.

Version history is created automatically

Each online editing session creates one or more new file versions. This means:

• The latest version becomes available immediately
• Previous versions remain available for review or recovery
• You don’t need to manage versions manually

When should I use online editing?

Online editing is ideal when you want to:

• Make quick changes without downloading and re-uploading files
• Collaborate with colleagues in real time
• Ensure changes are captured as new file versions automatically

When should I not use Office for the Web?

Office for the Web is ideal for quick edits and collaboration, but it does not include every advanced feature of the desktop apps. If you need a feature that is unavailable (or behaves differently) in the browser, download the file, edit it in the desktop application, and then upload it back as a new file version in Cartularius.

Common reasons to use the desktop Office apps instead

• You need advanced Word features (e.g., advanced layout/formatting, mail merge, or other desktop-only capabilities).
• You rely on advanced Excel functionality or workbook features that work differently in the browser.
• Your PowerPoint requires advanced features (e.g., certain animations/design tools) that are not available, or behave differently, in PowerPoint for the web.
• You need to work offline, or you are dealing with very large/complex documents where the desktop apps perform better.

Recommended workflow in those cases

• Download the file from Cartularius.
• Edit it in Word/Excel/PowerPoint (desktop).
• Upload it again as a new version (see How can I upload a new version of a file?).

Learn more

This page explains how to start online editing from the Files and Folders component. For more details on online editing behavior, including locking, co-authoring, and versioning, see the Working with Office 365 section.