Microsoft 2021

Question

Hi
My Microsoft 2021 Excel does not have the autosave option, as I have signed in to OneDrive also
But the Word has the auto-save option

Answer 1

Hello, is the AutoSave toggle completely missing in Excel or just turned off?

Open Excel, go to File > Account, then sign out of your account and sign back in to refresh your Office connection. Next, go to File > Options > Save and make sure “AutoSave OneDrive and SharePoint Online files by default” is checked. Then update Office by going to File > Account > Update Options > Update Now. This will refresh your account and settings so Excel can detect your OneDrive connection correctly and restore the AutoSave toggle.

Answer 2

In Excel 2021, AutoSave only appears and works when all of the following are true:

1. The workbook is saved to OneDrive or SharePoint (not just the local C: drive or another local folder).
2. The file is in a modern Office format such as .xlsx (not .xls or other older formats).
3. The file is opened directly from within Excel via File > Open from a OneDrive/SharePoint location, or saved there via File > Save As and choosing a OneDrive/SharePoint folder.

If Word shows AutoSave but Excel does not, check these points in Excel:

1. Save the workbook to OneDrive from Excel:
   • Select File > Save As.
   • Choose the personal, work, or school OneDrive account.
   • Pick a folder, enter a file name, and select Save.
   • This should enable the AutoSave toggle for that file.
2. Confirm the file type:
   • Use File > Save As and ensure the file type is Excel Workbook (*.xlsx).
3. Ensure OneDrive is signed in and syncing, and that the file is not in a paused local OneDrive folder.

If the file is stored only on the local drive and not synced to OneDrive or SharePoint, Excel’s AutoSave option will not be available; in that case, saving manually (for example with Ctrl+S) is required.

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References:

• Turn on autosave in Microsoft 365 apps
• What is AutoSave?
• how to auto save in c drive - Microsoft Q&A