How to Save in Excel

After you’ve created a workbook, you need to save it if you want to use it again. Also, if you make changes to a workbook you’ll want to save it. You can even save a copy of an existing workbook with a new name, to a different location, or using a different file type.

Save a Workbook

Once you’ve created a new workbook, you’ll need to save it if you want to use it again.

  1. Click the Save button.
    Save a Workbook

    Press Ctrl + S to quickly save a workbook.

    If this is the first time you’ve saved the workbook, the Save As screen will appear.

  2. Choose where you want to save your file:
    • OneDrive: Save to Microsoft’s cloud-based storage so you can open the worksheet on another computer.
    • SharePoint: Save the workbook to a connected SharePoint server.
    • This PC: Save to the local storage on your computer.
    • Browse: Opens a dialog box, where you can browse through your computer’s folders, drives, and network shares.
  3. Enter a file name.
  4. Click Save.
    Save a Workbook

AutoSave Workbooks

If an Excel file is saved online, the AutoSave feature in the top-left is automatically turned on. However, this can be changed as needed.

  1. Click the AutoSave toggle button to turn the feature on or off.
    AutoSave Workbooks

Save Progress

As you continue to work in Excel, you'll want to save any changes you make from time to time.

  1. Click the Save button.
    Save Progress

Press Ctrl + S to quickly save a workbook.

Try to save your progress every 10 minutes; that way you won’t lose any important changes if disaster strikes.

Save As a New File and/or Location

Sometimes you may want to make a copy of an existing workbook and save it with a new name. Using and modifying the content in an existing workbook can often save you a lot of time.

  1. Click the File tab.
    Save As a New File and/or Location
  2. Click Save As.
  3. Click This PC to navigate to the folder you want to save your file.
    Save As a New File and/or Location
  4. Enter a File name.
  5. Click Save.
    Save As a New File and/or Location

Save to Different File Formats

Excel normally saves its files as Excel workbooks, but you can save information to other file formats as well. For example, sometimes you may want to save your data as a Comma Separated Values or CSV file, so you can import it into another program.

  1. Click the File tab.
    Save to Different File Formats
  2. Click Save As.
  3. Click the Save as type list arrow.

    The default file type is an XLSX Excel file, but you can choose from plenty of other file formats in this menu.

  4. Select the desired format.
  5. Click Save.
    Save to Different File Formats

File Types Commonly Saved to From Excel

File Type Extension Description
CSV .csv Comma delimited text file, often used to import/export data.
Excel Workbook .xlsx The default XLM-based file format for Excel, in use since Excel 2007.
Excel 97-2003 Workbook .xls Excel files from Excel 2003 and older.
Excel Macro-Enabled Template .xlsm Excel template that contains macros.
Excel Template .xltx Excel template files.
PDF .pdf Portable Document Format, a format that preserves document formatting and allows file sharing.
Web Page .html A web page that is saved as a folder and contains an .htm file and supporting files, such as images.
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