How to Save a Microsoft Word Document: 8 Simple Ways

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

Whether you’re creating a brand-new document in Microsoft Word or saving changes to an existing document, saving your files in Word is pretty simple. In this article, we’ll talk you through the basics of saving Word documents in Windows or Mac, including how to use keyboard shortcuts to save, how to turn on AutoSave, and how to save your docs in different file formats.

Things You Should Know

  • Click the "File" menu and select "Save As" to save a new document. [1]
  • To quickly save changes to an existing document, click the disk icon on the toolbar, or press Control + S on a PC or Command + S on a Mac.
  • If you’re using Office 365, enable AutoSave to automatically save your changes to the cloud every few seconds.
1

Use Save As to save your document for the first time.

PDF download Download Article
  1. Once you’ve created a new Word document, open the File menu and select Save As . A window will pop up prompting you to name the file and choose a location on your computer or a linked cloud account where the file will be stored. Choose the file type (e.g., .docx, .pdf, or .xml) from the drop-down menu at the bottom of the window. Then, select Save . [2]
    • You can also use the keyboard shortcut F12 (in Windows) or ↑ + ⌘ Command + s (on a Mac) to open the Save As window.
    • If you’re saving a document for the first time, using the Save command will prompt the Save As window to open.
    • If the document is saved locally, you can use Save As to save a copy of an existing document with a new name, format, or location. However, for documents that are saved to OneDrive or another cloud service, you may need to use Save a Copy instead, depending on your version of Word.
    2. Advertisement
2

Use Save to save changes to an existing document.

PDF download Download Article
  1. With your document open, click the File menu in the toolbar at the top of the screen. Then, click Save . Any recent changes to your file will be saved. [3]
3

Click the disk icon in the toolbar to quickly save your changes.

PDF download Download Article
  1. The Quick Access Tool Bar is located at the very top of your document window on the right side. Locate the Save button, which looks like an old-fashioned square floppy disk, and click on it to save your document. [4]
    2. Advertisement
4

Use Control + s or ⌘ Command + s to quickly save.

PDF download Download Article
  1. You can also use the keyboard Save command to launch the Save As window if you’re saving a new document for the first time. On a Windows PC, use Control + s . If you’re using a Mac, hit ⌘ Command + s . [5]
5

Turn on AutoSave to save your document to OneDrive.

PDF download Download Article
  1. The AutoSave feature in the Office 365 version of Word prevents you from having to save manually. However, in order to use it, you must save your files to a OneDrive, Box, or SharePoint account. To use AutoSave: [6]
    • Click the toggle switch next to AutoSave in the Quick Access Toolbar at the top right corner of your document window.
    • A window will pop up prompting you to upload your file to a cloud location. You can also rename it, if you like. Select your preferred location using the dropdown Place menu.
    • Click Upload to use the default location or select Choose Location if you pick a different option in the Place menu.
    2. Advertisement
6

Change the format of your file with Save As .

PDF download Download Article
  1. docx files. However, you can choose to save your document as a different format, such as .pdf, .doc (for compatibility with older versions of Word), or .txt. [7] To do this:
    • For documents that are saved locally on your computer, open the File menu and select Save As . In the File Format dropdown menu near the bottom of the Save As window, select your desired format.
    • If your document has AutoSave enabled, you’ll need to use the Save a Copy command instead, which is also located in the File menu. Select the type of file you want to create in the drop-down File Format menu at the bottom of the window.
    • Click Save to confirm your choice.
    • With some formats, such as .pdf, you will be prompted to Export the file rather than Save it after you select the format.
7

Use "Save a Copy" to duplicate your document.

PDF download Download Article
  1. This is a good option if you want to make changes to your document while also preserving the original version. To make a copy of your Word doc, open the File menu and select Save a Copy… . If you’re saving the copy in the same location as the original, give it a new name. Click Save at the bottom of the Save a Copy window when you’re done. [8]
    2. Advertisement
8

Change your Save settings under Options or Preferences .

PDF download Download Article
  1. On a Windows PC, open the File menu, then select Options , then Save . [9] If you’re using a Mac, open the main Word menu, then click Preferences… and select Save . From there, you can customize options such as:
    • The default format for your saved Word files
    • How frequently Word saves AutoRecover information
    • Where AutoRecover files are stored
    • The default location for saved documents (e.g., a local folder on your computer or a location in the cloud)

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    What is the process of creating a file in a folder?
    Community Answer
    Once the folder is created, go into it and right-click on a blank area, then select New -> Microsoft Word Document.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 9 Helpful 12
  • Question
    Do I save documents as a Word doc, or Word 97 - 2003?
    Community Answer
    This depends on what the reader(s) are using. Word 97 - 2003 format is more universal, but may strip some advanced features from your document. If you save it in Word format, those using earlier versions can still view/edit the document using the free MS Office Compatibility Pack from Microsoft. If you're just creating the document for your own personal use, save as Word.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 5 Helpful 7
  • Question
    How do I see a saved document?
    Community Answer
    On any modern version of Windows, you would a view a saved document by navigating to its save location. For example, if you saved it in the default "My Documents" folder, you would open a file explorer window and locate that folder, where you would then find your document. Alternatively, recent versions of Microsoft Word show a list of recent documents when you open the program. Finally, you can click File, then Open on most versions of Microsoft Word, then navigate to the correct file location.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 5 Helpful 11
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      Warnings

      • Failing to save your document before you close Microsoft Word will potentially delete the document or any changes you made to an existing one.
        Thanks
        Helpful 2 Not Helpful 5
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      Easily Add Page Numbers to a Word Document on Any Platform
      How to
      Add Check Boxes to Word: 10 Simple Steps
      How to
      Remove a Blank Page in Word
      3 Simple Ways to Insert a Hyperlink in Microsoft Word
      How to
      Add Backgrounds in Microsoft Word: Watermarks, Images, & Colors
      3 Easy Ways to Delete a Horizontal Line in a Word Document
      How to
      Print Avery Labels in Microsoft Word on PC or Mac
      How to
      Create and Edit the Table of Contents in Word
      How to
      Remove the 'Read Only' Status on MS Word Documents
      How to
      Add a Horizontal Line in Microsoft Word
      Easily Format Word Docs from Scratch or Using Templates
      How to
      Insert Equations in Microsoft Word
      How to
      Print on an Envelope Using Microsoft Word
      How to
      Create an Index in Word
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/save-a-document-b7f55d8c-d714-4892-8fde-853a82419027
      2. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/save-a-document-b7f55d8c-d714-4892-8fde-853a82419027
      3. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/save-back-up-and-recover-a-file-in-microsoft-office-a7f0a209-ad22-4212-bb53-6cd8e801a6fb
      4. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/save-back-up-and-recover-a-file-in-microsoft-office-a7f0a209-ad22-4212-bb53-6cd8e801a6fb
      5. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/keyboard-shortcuts-in-word-95ef89dd-7142-4b50-afb2-f762f663ceb2
      6. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/what-is-autosave-6d6bd723-ebfd-4e40-b5f6-ae6e8088f7a5#OfficeVersion=macOS
      7. ↑ https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/deployoffice/compat/office-file-format-reference
      8. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/save-back-up-and-recover-a-file-in-microsoft-office-a7f0a209-ad22-4212-bb53-6cd8e801a6fb
      9. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/customize-the-save-experience-in-office-786200a7-f5f2-4d26-a3ae-b78c60dd5d3b

      About This Article

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 455,444 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement