What is AutoSave?

AutoSave saves your file every few seconds. It's enabled by default when a file is stored in OneDrive, OneDrive for Business, or SharePoint Online. 

Turn AutoSave on or off

  1. Toggle the AutoSave switch

    AutoSave switch in the On position

  2. If the document isn't currently saved to OneDrive or a SharePoint library, you'll be prompted to choose a location.

Important: If you use File > Save As after making changes to an original document, we recommend using File > Save a Copy before making your changes. That way AutoSave doesn't overwrite the original file with new changes.

If AutoSave already updated your original file, you can preserve the original file without losing the changes you just made. Make a copy of the file (to save your current changes) and then restore an earlier version of the original file:

  1. Go to File > Save a Copy to keep the changes you just made.

  2. Reopen the original file.

  3. At the top of the window, click or tap the filename, and then choose Version History.

  4. Review the dates and times to find the version that you want to restore, and then select Open version.

  5. A second window opens, showing you that version of the file. To keep this version, choose Restore.

  1. Go to File > Options > Save.

  2. Clear AutoSave OneDrive and SharePoint Online files by default on <application>.

Restart the application for the change to take effect.

Notes: 

  • If you want AutoSave off by default for all your Office applications, such as PowerPoint and Excel too, you'll need to repeat these steps for each of those programs.

  • If you want individual files to still be AutoSaved you can open those files and manually turn AutoSave back on for those files.

AutoSave is enabled when working on a file that is saved to OneDrive, OneDrive for Business, or SharePoint Online. If the file is hasn't been saved, or is saved to another location, then AutoSave is disabled. This happens if your file is on a SharePoint on premises site, a file server, some other cloud storage service, or saved to a local path like C:\.

Here are other some common reasons for it to be disabled:

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

  • Your file is in a local OneDrive folder and OneDrive synchronization is paused.

  • Your file is being synced by an older version of the OneDrive sync app. For more information on updating OneDrive, see Sync files with OneDrive in Windows.

  • Your file is embedded inside another Office file.

  • Your presentation is in slide show mode.

If you're using Excel, and tried the above, your file may contain features that aren't supported by AutoSave. Do one or more of the following to enable it:

  • Turn off the Shared Workbook feature. This feature has been replaced by co-authoring.

  • If possible, remove password encryption from the file: Go to File > Info > Protect Workbook. Delete the password and click OK.

  • If possible, remove restricted access: Go to File > Info > Protect Workbook > Restrict Access and click Unrestricted Access.

  • If you are opening a workbook snapshot from SharePoint, open the file instead of the snapshot.

  • Turn off Refresh data when opening file setting on all tables and PivotTables in the file. Select the table or PivotTable, then go to Table Tools Design > Refresh > Connection Properties. Then uncheck Refresh data when opening file.

  • Inactivate an add-in that's causing AutoSave to be disabled. Select File > Options > Add-Ins > Excel Add-ins > Go and then clear the check box for the add-in.

Learn more

How do I turn on AutoSave? 

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