Turning Off Autosave in Excel: A Step-by-Step Guide
Turning off Autosave in Excel is pretty straightforward. You just need to navigate through a few menu options. By the end of this quick tutorial, you’ll have full control over when your Excel files get saved. This prevents any unintended changes from being automatically saved.
Turning Off Autosave in Excel
In the following steps, you’ll learn how to disable the Autosave feature in Excel. This will give you the ability to manually save your work, ensuring that only the changes you want to keep are preserved.
Step 1: Open Excel
First, open Microsoft Excel on your computer.
You can do this by clicking on the Excel icon on your desktop or searching for it in your Start menu. Make sure you have the document you want to edit already open or create a new document.
Step 2: Go to File
Next, click on the ‘File’ tab located at the top-left corner of the screen.
This will open a drop-down menu where you’ll find various options related to file management and settings.
Step 3: Select Options
From the File menu, scroll down and select ‘Options.’
This will open a new window called ‘Excel Options’ where you can customize various Excel settings.
Step 4: Navigate to Save
In the Excel Options window, go to the ‘Save’ tab on the left sidebar.
This tab contains all settings related to saving your work, including the Autosave feature.
Step 5: Uncheck the Autosave Option
Find the checkbox labeled ‘Autosave OneDrive and SharePoint Online files by default on Excel’ and uncheck it.
By unchecking this box, you’re telling Excel not to autosave your documents to OneDrive or SharePoint Online.
Step 6: Click OK
Finally, click the ‘OK’ button at the bottom of the window to save your changes.
Once you click OK, the Autosave feature will be disabled, and you will need to manually save your documents.
After completing these steps, Excel will no longer automatically save your files, giving you more control over your work.
Tips for Turning Off Autosave in Excel
- Manual Saves: Remember to save your work manually by pressing ‘Ctrl + S’ or clicking the Save icon.
- Backup Copies: Keep backup copies of important documents just in case you forget to save manually.
- Check Settings: Periodically check your save settings to ensure Autosave remains disabled.
- Save Reminders: Set reminders on your phone or computer to periodically save your work.
- Version Control: If working collaboratively, communicate with your team to ensure everyone knows Autosave is off.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why would I want to turn off Autosave?
Turning off Autosave gives you control over what changes are saved. This is particularly useful when making temporary adjustments or experimenting with data.
Will turning off Autosave affect my existing files?
No, turning off Autosave only affects future saves. Existing files that were autosaved will remain unchanged.
Can I turn Autosave back on later?
Yes, you can re-enable Autosave by following the same steps and checking the Autosave box again.
Is this the same process for all versions of Excel?
The process is similar across most recent versions of Excel, but there might be slight variations in older versions.
What happens if I forget to save manually?
If you forget to save manually, you risk losing any changes made since your last manual save. This emphasizes the importance of regular manual saves.
Summary
- Open Excel.
- Go to File.
- Select Options.
- Navigate to Save.
- Uncheck the Autosave option.
- Click OK.
Conclusion
In conclusion, knowing how to turn off Autosave in Excel can be a lifesaver, especially if you like having full control over your document’s changes. While Autosave can be convenient, it isn’t always ideal for everyone’s workflow. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can easily disable Autosave and take charge of when and what gets saved. Remember to save manually and set reminders if necessary to avoid losing your work. If you found this guide helpful, consider exploring other Excel tutorials to further enhance your skills.
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.