Co-authoring - Improvements in handling missing documents

As part of our ongoing effort to enhance the co-authoring experience in DataSnipper, we’ve introduced several improvements that make document handling more reliable, and intuitive.

 

These improvements are only available as part of DataSnipper version 25.1 and later

1. Smarter saving to prevent broken links

Previous Behavior:
Screenshots pasted from the clipboard were stored in a temporary local location. This often caused broken links for co-authors who did not have access to the original user's machine.

Current Behavior:
DataSnipper now prompts users to save screenshots to a shared location. This ensures consistent access for all collaborators working on the same workbook.

2. Automated file path resolution

Previous Behavior:
Inconsistencies in how users synced SharePoint folders via OneDrive caused issues locating referenced documents.

Current Behavior:
DataSnipper has improved its path resolution logic to more reliably locate documents stored in SharePoint or OneDrive, regardless of individual sync configurations.

3. More frequent document checks

Previous Behavior:
Missing documents were only checked once when the Excel file was initially opened.

Current Behavior:
DataSnipper now performs document checks dynamically—such as when users open the Document Organizer or Document Viewer—making it easier to detect and recover missing files during a session.

4. Version replacement to preserve work

Previous Behavior:
Replacing a document with an updated version resulted in the loss of all associated snips, comments, and markups.

Current Behavior:
Users can now replace a document with a newer version while retaining all prior work, including snips and comments. This preserves the audit trail and eliminates the need to redo documentation.

Learn how to transfer work between document versions here


Other important improvements

Consistent Document Status Indicators

Document status (e.g., Missing, Corrupted) is now clearly and consistently displayed across the Document Organizer, Document Viewer, and related interfaces.

Improved Accessibility

The Document Viewer remains functional even when all documents are invalid, enabling users to access tools needed to resolve issues.

Actionable Warnings and Restrictions

Invalid actions such as OCR or Export are now blocked for missing or corrupted documents, with explanatory messages to guide the user.

Alerts for Missing Documents

DataSnipper notifies users of missing documents immediately upon changes to settings or paths, reducing surprises and supporting faster issue resolution.

 

To understand the limitations offered by Co-authoring in depth, please refer to this article.