When you save a file, you can save it to a folder on your hard disk drive, a network location, disk, DVD, CD, the desktop, flash drive, or another storage location. To do this, select a desired drive/folder from the Save As windowThe saving process is the same, regardless of what location you choose.
You should save the file frequently while you are working on it to avoid losing data because of an unexpected power failure or other problem.
What do you want to do?
Save a file
By default, the Microsoft Office programs save a file in a default working folder. If you want, you can specify a different location.
- Click the Microsoft Office Button
, and then click Save. Important If you don't see the Microsoft Office Button
, click Save on the File menu.
Keyboard shortcut To save the file, press CTRL+S.
- If you are saving the file for the first time, you are asked to give it a name.
Note To save to a CD, or another location, click the Microsoft Office Button
, select Save As, and then Other Formats. From the Folders list, select a location or the media on which you want to save.
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Save a file for use in an earlier version of Office
If you are using the 2007 Office release, you can share your files with people using an earlier version of Microsoft Office by saving your file in the 97-2003 file format. For example, you can save your Microsoft Office Word 2007 document (.docx) as a 97-2003 document (.doc).
For information about saving in a compatible format, see the Save a file for use in Office 2003 or earlier section in the "Save a file for use in an earlier version of Office" article.
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Save a copy of a file (Save As command)
You can also use the Save As command to rename a file or change the location of where you save the file.
Save As dialog box in Windows Vista
You can also save the file to a new location by using the Navigation pane.

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

To quickly see locations you use a lot, use the Navigation pane.

To see more file types, click the arrow.
Save As dialog box in Microsoft Windows XP
You can also save the file to a new location by using the Save in list or locations saved in your My Places bar.

To choose a folder, use the Save in list.

To quickly see locations you use a lot, use the My Places bar.

To see more file types, click the arrow.
- Click the Microsoft Office Button
, and then click Save As. Important If you don't see the Microsoft Office Button
, click Save As on the File menu.
Keyboard shortcut To open the Save As dialog box, press ALT, F, A.
- In the File name box, enter a new name for the file.
- Click Save.
Tip To save the copy in a different folder, click a different drive in the Save in list or a different folder in the folder list. To save the copy in a new folder, click Create New Folder
.
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Save a file to another format (Save As command)
- Click the Microsoft Office Button
, and then click Save As. Important If you don't see the Microsoft Office Button
, click Save As on the File menu.
Keyboard shortcut To open the Save As dialog box, press ALT, F, A.
- In the File name box, enter a new name for the file.
- 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).
- Click Save.
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Save AutoRecover information automatically
AutoRecover does not replace regularly saving your files. If you choose not to save the recovery file after you open it, the file is deleted, and your unsaved changes are lost. If you save the recovery file, it replaces the original file (unless you specify a new file name). The more frequently your files are saved, the more information is recovered if there is a power failure or other problem while a file is open.
Which 2007 Microsoft Office system
program are you using?
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Word
- Click the Microsoft Office Button
, and then click Word Options.
- Click Save.
- Select the Save AutoRecover information every check box.
- In the minutes box, type or select a number to determine how often you want to save files.
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Excel
- Click the Microsoft Office Button
, and then click Excel Options.
- Click Save.
- Select the Save AutoRecover information every check box.
- In the minutes box, type or select a number to determine how often you want to save files.
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InfoPath
- On the Tools menu, click Options, and then click the Advanced tab.
- Select the When filling out forms, save AutoRecover information every check box.
- In the minutes box, type or select a number to determine how often you want to save files.
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PowerPoint
- Click the Microsoft Office Button
, and then click PowerPoint Options.
- Click Save.
- Select the Save AutoRecover information every check box.
- In the minutes box, type or select a number to determine how often you want to save files.
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Project
- On the Tools menu, click Options, and then click the Advanced tab.
- Select the Save every check box.
- In the minutes box, type or select a number to determine how often you want to save files.
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Publisher
- On the Tools menu, click Options, and then click the Advanced tab.
- Select the Save AutoRecover info every check box.
- In the minutes box, type or select a number to determine how often you want to save files.
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Visio
- On the Tools menu, click Options, and then click the Save/Open tab.
- Select the Save AutoRecover info every check box.
- In the minutes box, type or select a number to determine how often you want to save files.
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View Demo
Watch the following video to see how to save a file as the default file type, a different file type, or with document protection.
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