Browser Editing for Your Existing Files

Edit Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files in the browser for files stored on your file servers. Co-author with colleagues in real time. Changes save back to the original location automatically.

The Problem With "Move Everything to the Cloud"

Organizations often assume browser-based Office editing requires migrating files to SharePoint or OneDrive. But migration means re-permissioning, user disruption, and months of project work — for files that work fine where they are.

MyWorkDrive gives you browser editing without a migration project. Files stay where they are. Users edit in their browser. Changes save back to the original location automatically.

How Browser Editing Works

MyWorkDrive integrates with Microsoft 365 to enable Office Online editing on files that live outside of SharePoint. The experience is seamless for users.

01

User clicks Edit

User opens a Word, Excel, or PowerPoint file from any MyWorkDrive client

02

File is staged

MyWorkDrive temporarily stages the file in your Microsoft 365 tenant for the duration of the session

03

User edits in browser

Full Office Online experience with real-time save and co-authoring

04

Changes sync back

When editing ends, changes save to original location and staging file is removed

Temporary staging during editing

When users edit in the browser, the file is temporarily staged in your Microsoft 365 tenant for the duration of the session and then removed. Files do not persist on MyWorkDrive servers. Staged content stays inside your tenant controls. Authentication follows your existing identity policies.

Real-Time Co-Authoring

Multiple users can edit the same document simultaneously with real-time co-authoring. See each other's cursors, watch changes appear live, and reduce manual merging.

Multiple users edit the same document simultaneously
Changes appear in real time across all editors
Avoid version conflicts and reduce manual merging
Works from web, mapped drive, and mobile clients

File Locking That Prevents Conflicts

When someone opens a file for editing, MyWorkDrive locks it on the source storage. Users editing in desktop Office see a "file in use" message. Users in Office Online can co-author together.

File is locked on SMB-based storage when editing begins
Co-authors in Office Online share the same session
Changes sync back to original location when editing ends
Locks release automatically after inactivity, preventing blocked sessions. Co-authoring requires Office Online. Desktop users see a "file in use" message.

How Browser Editing Works

MyWorkDrive integrates with Microsoft 365 to enable Office Online editing on files that live outside of SharePoint. The experience is seamless for users.

Recommended

Microsoft 365 Staging (Default)

Files stage in your Microsoft 365 tenant during editing. Simplest setup for organizations already using Microsoft 365.

  • Requires Microsoft 365 license for editing
  • Viewing may be available for users without editing entitlements, depending on your Microsoft configuration
  • Automated setup with optional tenant lockdown
  • Full co-authoring support
Enterprise

Dedicated SharePoint Site (Enterprise)

Enterprise configuration with a dedicated SharePoint site for staging. Better for organizations needing site-level sharing restrictions and centralized file management.

  • Requires Microsoft 365 license
  • Dedicated SharePoint site configuration required
  • Centralized recycle bin and file management
  • External sharing controllable at site level
On-Premises

Office Online Server (Local)

Run your own Office Online Server on-premises. Files never leave your network during editing — full data residency control.

  • Requires local server infrastructure
  • Office volume licensing required
  • Full data residency control
  • DLP controls available during editing
Alternative

ONLYOFFICE

An alternative editing suite for organizations that prefer a non-Microsoft editor.

  • No Microsoft 365 license required
  • Self-hosted or cloud deployment
  • ONLYOFFICE Docs license required
  • Full co-authoring support

Align Licenses to Actual Usage

Many organizations pay for full desktop Office licenses for users who rarely need them. If users primarily view documents or make occasional edits in the browser, they may not need the same licensing as power users running complex Excel models.

A common scenario

A healthcare organization has thousands of administrative staff who view and occasionally edit documents — but all have full desktop licenses because that was the only way to access files on file shares remotely. With browser-based editing, the conversation changes.

With MyWorkDrive

Users access files via MyWorkDrive’s browser client and edit with Office Online. Users who truly need advanced desktop features keep full desktop licenses. Users who only need browser editing can be aligned to web-capable licensing.

Important:

License optimization depends on actual user needs. Users requiring desktop apps, advanced features, or large storage should remain on appropriate licenses. MyWorkDrive enables the conversation — your licensing decisions depend on your specific requirements.

What MyWorkDrive enables

  • Browser-based Office editing on existing file shares
  • Remote file access without VPN or desktop Office
  • Support for aligning editing access to roles and usage patterns
  • Flexibility to align licenses to actual usage patterns

Who Uses Browser Editing

Browser-based editing works for users across roles and devices — especially those who need flexibility without desktop Office dependencies.

Frontline Workers

Retail, healthcare, and field staff who need occasional document access from shared devices or personal phones — without desktop Office installs.

External Collaborators

Contractors, partners, and guests who need to edit documents without VPN or desktop installs, governed through your existing Microsoft tenant policies.

Mobile-First Users

Executives and traveling staff who review and edit documents from tablets and phones — any device with a browser.

Remote Workers

Employees working from home who need secure access to company files without VPN complexity or local Office requirements.

View-First Roles

Staff who primarily review documents — HR policy readers, quality checkers, compliance reviewers — who rarely need full editing capabilities.

Thin Client Environments

Organizations running VDI or shared terminal servers where browser-based editing reduces local resource requirements.

Try Browser Editing on Your Files

Start a trial, connect a test share, and edit a document in your browser. See co-authoring work in real time with a colleague.