Set the Web or Desktop App as Default

By default, SharePoint will open an Excel, Word or PowerPoint file in the web app when you left click on the file name.

But this might not be the behavior you would like as the default.

To change the default click on the gear icon ➜ then Library settings ➜ then Advanced settings ➜ then choose either Open in the client application for the desktop app or Open in the browser for the web app.

Now when you click on the file, it will always open in your chosen app.

Choose the Web or Desktop App

You can choose which app to use each time you open a file regardless what is set as your default.

Select a single file and then click on the Open command and then choose either Open in browser for the web app or Open in app for the desktop app.