Document Approval Flows - Link to Document fails in Outlook Desktop

[Anonymous]

Hello!

We are creating our first document approval Flow and have run into a problem we can't figure out. We instantiate the flow and an email gets sent. The email has a link to the document in question with approve or reject options. In Outlook on a PC the link to the document is not clickable. It is clickable on Outlook on the web, Outlook on a phone and in the Flow app on a phone. If we click forward or on the link marked “Show original message” the link is clickable.

So very odd.

Anyone seen this? Any ideas? Help?

Thanks.

~k

[v-yuazh-msft]

Hi @Anonymous,

Could you please share a screenshot of the configuration of your flow?

I have made a test on my side and don't have the issue that you mentioned, the link to the document on a PC is clickable.

Please share more details so we would try to provide a proper workaround for you.

Best regards,

Alice

[Anonymous]

Thanks Alice. I should have mentioned that for some of our tester the link was clickable but not for most. Here is the screenshot.

[v-yuazh-msft]

Hi @Anonymous,

It's strange that in some of test the link is clickable however others don't.

Does the issue still exists?

Best regards,

Alice

[Anonymous]

It does still exist.

[bbridges]

I also see the same issue.  This previously worked for me a couple months ago.  However, it no longer does--all hyperlinks in the 'start an approval' email are non-clickable now other than the Approve/Reject buttons.

I wonder if this has to do with the Outlook version being used (I am part of my company's Office 365 beta program).  I'm using Outlook version 1811 (build 11029.20079).

[Anonymous]

I'm also on Version 1181 (Build 11029.20079 Click-to-Run) -- I'll see what version is on the desktop of the folks where it works and report back.

~kevin

[Anonymous]

After further review most of us are on that version. The link is now clickable for none of us, included those who were able to click a couple of days ago. We're wondering if their Outlook upgraded itself....

[Anonymous]

Exactly the same issue here.

The links used to work prior to an Outlook update. Users that are on the monthly channel running version 1811 experience this issue consistently. Users on the semi-annual channel running version 1808 do not have this issue at all.

I think the solution for us will be to change the update channel to semi-annual and downgrade Office. You can do this various ways including GPO and manualy with registry change.

Unfortuantly I haven't found much info regarding this elsewere so I'll be watching this forum closely.

[Anonymous]

Good to know we aren't alone, then. 

[dvdbrntly]

Exact same issue here. Previously clickable links in approvals just stopped working within the past week.

[mlzag]

We're also having this issue. Any word from Microsoft on when this will be fixed? We either have to use the Approval center or click "Reply" to the email and scroll down to Ctrl + click the link in order to actually use the link. 

[Anonymous]

I logged a job with Microsoft yesterday, I'll post outcome here.

[BlueCar]

Just another person here, that is having this issue. Also on Outlook 1811 (11029.20079 Click-to-Run.)

[Anonymous]

We too are having the same issue.  Same version of Outlook 1811.  Worked with prior builds.  

[deddyandy]

Having the same issue. It worked 2 weeks ago.

Could anyone suggest for the workaround?

[BlueCar]

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@deddyandy wrote:

Could anyone suggest for the workaround?

---

My only idea would be to uninstall Office 365, change the update channel to the Semi-Annual channel and install Office 365 again. That will of cause bring you back to an older build of Office 365.

I don't know the correct procedure for this.

[deddyandy]

I am sorry for my lack of knowledge. I am just thinking, if we change the update channel to the Semi-Annual channel, then in the end, will we fall into the same problem again? Because in the end it will update to the latest version?

[BlueCar]

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@deddyandy wrote:

I am sorry for my lack of knowledge. I am just thinking, if we change the update channel to the Semi-Annual channel, then in the end, will we fall into the same problem again? Because in the end it will update to the latest version?

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Yes and no.

Yes, If Microsoft don't fix the problem, then the bug will go into the Semi-Annual channel.

No, the reason for some people to be on the monthly (targeted) channel is to test out updates and find problems, so Microsoft can fix them, before they slip into the Semi-Annual channel.

Another workaround is in Outlook to click the "Show origional message" in the buttom of the Approval mail, where you will get a working link:

[deddyandy]

Thanks a lot.