My AutoSave toggle has gone missing from Excel 365

Hi, I'm John! I will help you with this.

Did you recently renew your Microsoft 365 subscription?

What type of file is it? Click File > Info. Does it say it’s saved to OneDrive? Or does it show a path like C:\Users... (local drive)?

• If it shows C:\Users..., then it’s saved locally.
• If it shows a OneDrive location, then it’s in the cloud.

What file format is it? Is it .xlsx or something else like .xls, .xlsm, or .csv?

• AutoSave works with modern formats and when saved to OneDrive or SharePoint.

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Regards,

John J.D.

It looks like my file is saved to my OneDrive. How do I determine if it's actually on my local drive instead?

I don't see "AutoSave-related checkbox is ticked (AutoSave settings may be disabled for some files, especially large files or those on SharePoint)."

The AutoSave toggle only appears in Excel 365 when all of these conditions are met:

1. The file is stored in OneDrive or SharePoint
   • AutoSave works in Microsoft 365 only when the file is saved to OneDrive or SharePoint.
   • If the file is on a local drive (for example, C:\Users\...), the AutoSave control will not be available.
2. The file is opened from within Excel via OneDrive/SharePoint
   • Open Excel.
   • Select File > Open.
   • Choose the OneDrive (personal, work, or school) or SharePoint location.
   • Browse to the folder and open the file from there.
   • Opening from File Explorer, Finder, or the taskbar “Recent” list can prevent AutoSave from turning on or appearing; close the file and reopen it as above.
3. The file type supports AutoSave
   • AutoSave is not available for some formats such as CSV, or older formats like .xls, .ppt, or .doc.
   • Save the workbook as a modern format (e.g., .xlsx) in OneDrive/SharePoint using File > Save As and selecting a OneDrive/SharePoint location.
4. AutoSave is enabled in Excel options
   • Go to File > Options > Save.
   • Ensure the AutoSave-related checkbox is ticked (AutoSave settings may be disabled for some files, especially large files or those on SharePoint).
5. An active Microsoft 365 subscription is in use
   • AutoSave is only available with an active Microsoft 365 subscription.

If the file meets all of the above (modern format, stored in OneDrive/SharePoint, opened from within Excel from that cloud location, AutoSave enabled in Options, and an active subscription), the AutoSave toggle should reappear in the title bar. If it still does not appear, verify that OneDrive sync is not paused and that the file is not embedded inside another Office file or in slide show mode (for PowerPoint scenarios).

Note: AutoRecover is separate and still works for local files; its settings are under File > Options > Save.

References:

• Turn on autosave in Microsoft 365 apps
• Recover your Microsoft 365 files
• Save, back up, and recover a file in Microsoft Office