Simple Steps to Saving Google Sheets on PC and Mac

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Easy-to-follow steps for saving your Google Sheets on your computer
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This wikiHow teaches you how to save copies of Google Sheets files when you're using a computer. Sheets automatically saves your progress as you work, but you can also save copies to your computer or Google Drive.

Things You Should Know

  • Google Sheets automatically saves your progress if you're connected to the internet.
  • Click "File > Make a copy" if you want to save a copy of the Google Sheet in your own Google Drive.
  • To save the Sheet on your computer, go to "File > Download as" and download it.
Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Making a Copy on Google Drive

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    Navigate to https://sheets.google.com in a web browser. If you aren't signed in to your Google account, follow the on-screen instructions to do so now.
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  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d3\/Save-on-Google-Sheets-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Save-on-Google-Sheets-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d3\/Save-on-Google-Sheets-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-3.jpg\/v4-728px-Save-on-Google-Sheets-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":346,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":547,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It's at the top-left corner of Sheets.
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    By default, the file will retain the same name, though the words “Copy of” will be added to its beginning. Changing this title is optional.
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    To do this, click the drop-down menu under “Folder” and select your desired location.
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    You have now saved a copy of this file to a folder on your Google Drive.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Downloading to Your Computer

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    Navigate to https://sheets.google.com in a web browser. If you aren't signed in to your Google account, follow the on-screen instructions to do so now.
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  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/1e\/Save-on-Google-Sheets-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-10.jpg\/v4-460px-Save-on-Google-Sheets-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-10.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/1e\/Save-on-Google-Sheets-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-10.jpg\/v4-728px-Save-on-Google-Sheets-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-10.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":346,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":547,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It's at the top-left corner of Sheets.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/0c\/Save-on-Google-Sheets-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-11.jpg\/v4-460px-Save-on-Google-Sheets-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-11.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/0c\/Save-on-Google-Sheets-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-11.jpg\/v4-728px-Save-on-Google-Sheets-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-11.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":341,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":540,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Another menu will expand.
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/bf\/Save-on-Google-Sheets-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-12.jpg\/v4-460px-Save-on-Google-Sheets-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-12.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/bf\/Save-on-Google-Sheets-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-12.jpg\/v4-728px-Save-on-Google-Sheets-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-12.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":341,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":540,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    If you want to be able to edit the file as a spreadsheet in the future, it's a good idea to select Microsoft Excel (.xlsx) .
  6. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/0f\/Save-on-Google-Sheets-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-13.jpg\/v4-460px-Save-on-Google-Sheets-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-13.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/0f\/Save-on-Google-Sheets-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-13.jpg\/v4-728px-Save-on-Google-Sheets-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-13.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":348,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":550,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This is the folder to which you'll be saving the file.
  7. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/98\/Save-on-Google-Sheets-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-14.jpg\/v4-460px-Save-on-Google-Sheets-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-14.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/98\/Save-on-Google-Sheets-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-14.jpg\/v4-728px-Save-on-Google-Sheets-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-14.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":348,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":550,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    The Sheets file will now download to the selected folder in the selected file format.
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