How do I turn on AutoSave? (2024)

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How do I turn on AutoSave?

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AutoSave is available when a file is saved to Microsoft OneDriveor SharePoint in Microsoft 365, but you need to save or open the file from withinExcel,PowerPointorWordto switch it on. You also needan active Microsoft 365 subscription.

Switch AutoSave on

To turn AutoSave on, save your file to your OneDriveor SharePoint folder from within your Microsoft 365 app.

  1. Go to FilethenSave As.

  2. Select your How do I turn on AutoSave? (1)OneDrivepersonal, work or school account.

    How do I turn on AutoSave? (2)

  3. Chooseyour sub-folder from the list that appears.

  4. Enter a file name and select Save.

    Tips:

    • If you don't see yourOneDrive How do I turn on AutoSave? (3) in the list, select Sign in. If you don't see yourfamily, work or school OneDrivelisted, select Add a Place. Learn more abouthow to add OneDrive as a service.

    • Selecting an existing file will enable AutoSave for that file.

Enable AutoSave when you open a file

To ensure AutoSave is on as soon as you start editing, open your file by navigating to your OneDriveor SharePoint folder from within your Microsoft 365 app.

  1. Go to FilethenOpen.

  2. Select your How do I turn on AutoSave? (4)OneDrivepersonal, work or school account.

    How do I turn on AutoSave? (5)

  3. Choose your sub-folder location from the list that appears.

  4. Select a file to open it.

    Tips:

    • If you don't see yourOneDrive How do I turn on AutoSave? (6) in the list, select Sign in. If you don't see yourfamily, work or school OneDrivelisted, select Add a Place. Learn more abouthow to add OneDrive as a service.

    • Once opened, you don't need to keepsaving your file - every change is saved automatically.

What to do if you see a"Just upload the file" prompt

How do I turn on AutoSave? (7)

If you select the AutoSavetoggleand see a prompt which says, "Just upload the file", follow these steps:

  1. To keep working on the original file, select the X to close the window. Then follow the steps above To switch AutoSave on.

  2. To createa copy of your file, don't close the Save window. Select OneDrivefrom the list of locations and enter a name for the copy.

    Caution:If you open the original file you will not see any later edits.

    Tip:Select the file name at the top of the app to see its location and version history.

If you can't turn on AutoSave

If you open an Officefilefrom File Explorer or Finder, you will need to openthe file as described above to enable AutoSave.

Close and re-open the file from the Microsoft 365 app, not File Explorer or Finder.

If you open an Officefilefrom your recent files list via the Taskbar or the Office app, you will need toopen the file as described above to enable AutoSave.

To check, hover your mouse over the recent list: Files that begin C:\Users\ in their path will not open with AutoSave, but files with https://will.

Close and re-open the file from within the Microsoft 365 app, not the recent file list.

If you open an Officefilefrom File Explorer, Finder or your recent files list via the Taskbar, you mayneed to Save or Open the file as described above to enable AutoSave.

Close and re-open the file from within the Microsoft 365 app, not the recent file list.

AutoSave settings may be disabled for some files, especially large files, or files stored on SharePoint.

  1. Go to File>Options>Save.

  2. Check that theAutoSavebox is ticked.

AutoSave settings may be disabled for some files, especially large files, or files stored on SharePoint.

  1. Go to File>Options>Save

  2. Check that theAutoSavebox is ticked.

There are other reasons AutoSave could be disabled as well. Here is a list of common reasons for it to be disabled:

  • AutoSave is only available if youhave an active Microsoft 365 subscription. Don't have a subscription?Get the most from Officewith Office 365.

  • Your file is in an older format like .xls, .ppt, or .doc.

  • OneDrivesynchronization is paused.

  • Your file is embedded inside another Microsoft 365file.

  • Your presentation is in slide show mode.

Can I AutoSave to my computer?

AutoSave only applies to Microsoft 365 files stored in OneDrive, but the Microsoft 365 AutoRecover feature is on by default and saves your work every 10 minutes.

To view or change the AutoRecover settings, open an Microsoft 365 app, and select File > Options > Save.

How to turn off AutoSave

To turn off AutoSave, toggle the AutoSave switch on the top left of the app header.

How do I turn on AutoSave? (8)

Got feedback?

Please send us your feedback to help us prioritize new features in future updates. See How do I give feedback on Microsoft Office for more information.

Need more help?

What is AutoSave?

How do I turn on AutoSave? (9)

Contact Support
For help with your Microsoft account andsubscriptions, visit.

For technical support, go to Contact Microsoft Support, enter your problem and select Get Help. If you still need help, selectContact Supportto be routed to the best support option.

How do I turn on AutoSave? (10)

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Admins should view Help for OneDrive Admins, the OneDrive Tech Community or contactMicrosoft 365 for business support.

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