Folder windows display the same toolbar options regardless of the folder or library you are using.

You can save a file to a folder on your hard disk drive, a network location, the cloud, a DVD, the desktop, or a flash drive. While you must identify the destination, if it is different than the default folder, the saving process is the same regardless of what destination you choose. By default, Office programs save files in the default working folder.

Additionally you can save a file in a different file format, such as RTF, CSV, or PDF.

Saving a file to OneDrive or SharePoint allows you to access it on any device and enables features such as AutoSave and Version History, which can help prevent data loss if your file closes unexpectedly.

To save your file:

1. Press CTRL+S or select File > Save.

   Tip: You can also select Save

   
    on the Quick Access Toolbar.

2. You must enter a name for the file if you are saving it for the first time.

Tip: Save your file to a cloud location, such as OneDrive or SharePoint, to be able to access it anywhere, collaborate with others in real-time, and access Version History.

By default, if you're signed in, files are saved to your OneDrive. If you want to save the current file somewhere else, click the Location drop-down to see additional recently-used locations. If the location you want isn't there, you can open the full Save As window by selecting More save options.

Tip: If you save your file to OneDrive or SharePoint, AutoSave will be enabled by default, so you don't have to remember to save as you go.

If you'd like to change the default location for these saves to one of your other recently-used folders, select the Location drop-down, right-click the folder location you want to set as the default and select Set as Default Location. 

If you want to save to a location other than your recently-used folders, select More locations. If you haven't received this update yet, your Office applications will continue to use the File menu for saving.

Tips: 

• You can also press F12 or select File > Save As to open the File menu.

• If you're used to using keyboard shortcuts when closing your document, such as ALT+F4, you can quickly choose to "Don't Save" the file by using the keyboard accelerator key for that button (ALT+N).

You can save a copy as a new file, or in a different format, or to a different location in Office 2016.

Save as a copy, or to a different location in Office 2013.

1. Select the cloud, web site, or device location where you want to save the file.

   Location	Description
   Sites – [Your Company Name]	SharePoint Server 2013 or earlier document libraries
   OneDrive – [Your Company Name]	OneDrive for work or school
   OneDrive – Personal	OneDrive for consumers via your Microsoft account
   Other web locations	Any other websites you have file storage access to.
   Computer	Your local device

2. Select a folder from the Recent Folders list, or click Browse if you don't see the location you want listed there.

3. Confirm the filename you want to use and click Save.

When you use the Save As dialog box, you can also save the file to a new location by using the Navigation pane.

1. To choose a folder or type the path to a folder, use the Address Bar.

2. To quickly see locations you use often, use the Navigation pane.

3. To see more file types, click the arrow.

You can also use the Save As dialog box to rename a file or change the location of where you save the file by clicking a different folder.

You might want to save your file in another format so that you, or somebody else, can open the file in a different program or older version. For example, you might want to save your Word document as a Rich Text File (RTF) or your Excel workbook as a Comma-Separated Values (CSV) file.

1. Click the File tab.

2. Click Save As.

3. Choose a file location, such as OneDrive or This PC to store your file.

4. In the File name box, enter a new name for the file.

5. In the Save as type list, click the file format that you want to save the file in. For example, click Rich Text Format (.rtf), Web Page (.htm or .html), or Comma Delimited (.csv).

   

   Note: For more information about how to save files in PDF (.pdf) or XPS (.xps) formats, see Save or convert to PDF or XPS.

6. Click Save.

If you are using Office 2010, you can save files in an earlier version of Office by selecting the version in the Save as type list in the Save As dialog box. For example, you can save your Word 2010 document (.docx) as a 97-2003 document (.doc).

Notes: 

• Office 2010 continues the use of the XML-based file formats, such as .docx, .xlsx, and .pptx, introduced in the 2007 Office release. Therefore, files created in Microsoft Word 2010, Microsoft Excel 2010, and Microsoft PowerPoint 2010 can be opened in the 2007 Office release programs without special add-ins or loss of functionality. For more information, see Open XML Formats and file name extensions.

• For more information about compatibility between files from different releases, see Use the Compatibility Checker.

For information about saving Microsoft Access 2010 .ACCDB files into the older .MDB format see Convert an .accdb database to an earlier file format.

1. Click the File tab.

2. Click Save As.

3. In the File name box, enter a new name for the file.

4. Click Save.

When you use the Save As dialog box, you can also save the file to a new location by using the Navigation pane.

1. To choose a folder or type the path to a folder, use the Address Bar.

2. To quickly see locations you use often, use the Navigation pane.

3. To see more file types, click the arrow.

You can also use the Save As dialog box to rename a file or change the location of where you save the file by clicking a different folder.

You might want to save your file in another format so that you, or somebody else, can open the file in a different program or older version. For example, you might want to save your Word document as a Rich Text File (RTF) or your Excel workbook as a Comma-Separated Values (CSV) file.

1. Click the File tab.

2. Click Save As.

3. Choose a file location, such as OneDrive or This PC to store your file.

4. In the File name box, enter a new name for the file.

5. In the Save as type list, click the file format that you want to save the file in. For example, click Rich Text Format (.rtf), Web Page (.htm or .html), or Comma Delimited (.csv).

   

   Note: For more information about how to save files in PDF (.pdf) or XPS (.xps) formats, see Save or convert to PDF or XPS.

6. Click Save.

If you are using Office 2010, you can save files in an earlier version of Office by selecting the version in the Save as type list in the Save As dialog box. For example, you can save your Word 2010 document (.docx) as a 97-2003 document (.doc).

Notes: 

• Office 2010 continues the use of the XML-based file formats, such as .docx, .xlsx, and .pptx, introduced in the 2007 Office release. Therefore, files created in Microsoft Word 2010, Microsoft Excel 2010, and Microsoft PowerPoint 2010 can be opened in the 2007 Office release programs without special add-ins or loss of functionality. For more information, see Open XML Formats and file name extensions.

• For more information about compatibility between files from different releases, see Use the Compatibility Checker.

For information about saving Microsoft Access 2010 .ACCDB files into the older .MDB format see Convert an .accdb database to an earlier file format.

We're listening

This article was updated January 29, 2020 as a result of your comments. If you found it helpful, and especially if you didn't, please use the feedback controls below to let us know how we can make it better.

See Also

• What is AutoSave?

• Rename a file

• Save or convert to PDF

• Store, share, and sync your files

• What happens when you sign out of Office