Click a document link in Lark and it either opens as a tab inside the app or pops out into your browser, depending on a setting most people never touch.
If it is opening in the wrong place for how you work, the fix is one dropdown.
Note: This setting is only available on the desktop app, and it applies to every document type: Docs, Sheets, Base, Slides, MindNotes, and uploaded files.
There are two options:
- Open in the Lark desktop app: The document opens as a tab inside the app itself.
- Open in a browser: The document opens in a web browser instead.
Note: If you cannot find these options in your Settings, contact your Lark administrator or Lark Support, since availability can depend on your organisation’s configuration.
Opening Documents in the App
Click your profile photo, then go to Settings, then Efficiency. Under Open links, select In Lark navigation bar.
With this selected, clicking a document link opens it as a new tab in the lower part of the left navigation bar.
To close a tab, hover over it and click the ✕ icon, or right-click it and choose Close.
Opening Documents in a Browser
Click your profile photo, then go to Settings, then Efficiency. Under Open links, select In browser instead.
Go to Default browser and choose which one you want Lark to use: System default browser, Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Safari, or Vulcan. Any browser you do not have installed appears greyed out.
With this set, clicking a document link opens it in the browser you specified.
Note: Changing your system’s own default browser is done outside Lark, through your operating system’s settings. Some browsers and browser extensions behave differently with Docs, so it is worth checking your browser is well supported before switching away from your system default.
Practical Use Cases for SMEs and Startups
- Heavy multitaskers: Keep documents opening as tabs inside Lark so switching between chat, calendar, and a document stays in one window.
- Browser-based workflows: Route documents into a browser if your team already keeps other work tools open in tabs alongside Lark.
- Extension-dependent teams: Choose the specific browser that has your grammar checker, password manager, or other extensions installed.
- Shared or kiosk devices: Set link opening consistently across a shared machine so everyone gets the same behaviour.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How do I change whether Lark documents open in the app or in a browser?
Go to Settings, then Efficiency, then Open links, and choose either In Lark navigation bar or In browser.
Why didn’t a document open using the method I set?
Document links follow your preferred setting unless the document’s developer has specified a particular way for their links to open, in which case that method takes priority.
Why do I have to log in again every time I open a document in my browser?
This usually points to your browser or a security app clearing cache, cookies, or browsing history automatically. Turning that auto-clearing off should keep you logged in between sessions.
Can I choose a different browser for Lark than my system default?
Yes. Under Default browser, you can pick Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Safari, or Vulcan specifically, rather than using whatever your operating system has set as default.
Does this setting apply to Base and Sheets, or only Docs?
It applies to every document type, including Docs, Sheets, Base, Slides, MindNotes, and uploaded files.
What happens if my preferred browser isn’t installed?
It appears greyed out in the Default browser list and cannot be selected until it is installed.
One Setting, Fewer Interruptions
Small frictions add up. If every document link pulls you into a browser tab you did not want, or keeps you trapped in the app when you would rather have it open, changing this one setting removes that friction for good.
Ready to Power Your Business with Lark?
Lark Docs is just one part of an all-in-one platform that brings messaging, meetings, documents, approvals, and automations together for your entire team.
As the Platinum Partner for Lark in Malaysia, Exabytes offers tailored Lark plans, hands-on onboarding, and dedicated local support to help your team work the way that suits them.
