Why are my Excel files auto saving as .tmp files?

Question

Why are my Excel files auto saving as .tmp files?

Monte Neece 15

After I have been working on an Excel file for a while, I notice the name has changed to a six-digit number and is in the TMP folder and can't be opened unless I change the name to add .xlsx to the number. The original file can't be found. What is happening to cause this?

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Answer 1

Stefano Sirri 3,170 Independent Advisor

Hi Monte,

Thank you for reaching out!

My name is Stefano and it’s my pleasure to assist you today.

When you work on an Excel files, Excel frequently creates temporary backup versions and autosave files in the background, usually in a TMP (temporary) folder nd they are automatically canceled when you close the application.

They are usually located in a path like C:\Users[YourName]\AppData\Local\Temp

With no extension, or with .tmp or .bak
The original file might be missing or unsaved

If you see a numbered file in the TMP folder:

Add .xlsx to the filename (as you did)
Open it in Excel
Save it properly to a known location using File > Save As

Check Excel’s AutoRecover settings

Go to File > Options > Save
Ensure AutoRecover info is turned on and set to save every few minutes
Note the AutoRecover file location — check this folder if you lose a file

Always use “Save As” before editing files from:

Email attachments (especially Outlook)
Cloud or shared links
Downloads folder

To prevent loss, consider:

Saving versions periodically (File > Save As)
Syncing with OneDrive or Dropbox for version history

Deborah 0 Reputation points

2025-09-19T22:51:22.55+00:00

This problem continues despite me making all these changes suggested. This has only started in the last few weeks. I am tired of excel and word both autosaving and changing file name, to my temp files. Please make it stop
Jay Buckhalter 0 Reputation points

2025-11-11T21:24:07.4766667+00:00

This isn't very helpful. I don't need someone to tell me that they know the problem exists; I need them to tell me how to make it stop. It is not only happening to me in Excel, but also in PowerPoint. The last time, it saved over the file in a version from last year, and I lost all of the data I had entered over the past 10-12 months. How can I stop it from doing it?
Jay Buckhalter 0 Reputation points

2025-11-11T21:25:10.72+00:00

I agree with Deborah! We can't be the only ones losing files!
Monte Neece 15 Reputation points

2025-11-11T21:40:06.43+00:00

I've made all of the suggested changes. I've turned off auto save and restricted saving to One Source.
Deborah 0 Reputation points

2025-11-11T21:57:16.97+00:00

I resolved this. Turned out I had to turn off syncing with google drive. I had recently synced one folder with google drive. The work around is files you want to sync with google drive need to be in your C drive - where one drives does not sync. Took five calls and two escalations to get this answer. 🤔😊

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Why are my Excel files auto saving as .tmp files?

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