Use Excel Save Shortcut Keys
There are three ways to save a file in Excel:
Select File > Save As. In Excel 2019, select File > Save a Copy.Select Save on the Quick Access Toolbar.Use the Ctrl+S shortcut key.
If the file has been saved before, the pointer changes to an hourglass icon while the save takes place. If the workbook is being saved for the first time, the Save As dialog box opens.
First Time Save
When a file is saved for the first time, two pieces of information must be specified in the Save As dialog box. Enter a name for the file and choose the location where it will be saved.
Save Frequently
Using Ctrl+S is an easy way to save data. Use this shortcut frequently, at least every five minutes, to avoid losing data.
Pin Save Locations
If you open certain files or folders frequently in Excel, pin them to your list of recently opened files. This keeps the location readily accessible at the top of the Recent list. There is no limit to the number of locations that can be pinned. To pin a save location:
Save Excel Worksheets as PDF Files
When you want a copy of a worksheet or an entire workbook that nobody can edit and everyone can view, convert or save your Excel files in PDF format. A PDF file (Portable Document Format) allows others to view documents without needing the original program, such as Excel, installed on their computer. Instead, users open the file with a free PDF reader program such as Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Saving the Active Worksheet in PDF Format
When saving a file in PDF format, by default only the current, or active worksheet (the worksheet on screen), is saved. To save an Excel worksheet in PDF format:
Save an Entire Workbook in PDF Format
The default Save As option only saves the current worksheet in PDF format. Follow these steps to save your entire workbook as a PDF file:
AutoSave to OneDrive
If you use Microsoft 365, Excel automatically saves your work when you choose to save files to your OneDrive cloud storage account. When your files are saved to OneDrive, documents are automatically saved every few seconds, eliminating the need for you to continuously select Save or use shortcut keys. If you have Microsoft 365 and save your files to OneDrive, enable AutoSave by selecting the toggle switch in the top-left corner of the Excel screen. When enabled, the switch will say On. To turn the feature off and save your work manually, change it to Off.
