How To Fix The Microsoft Excel Document Not Saved Error On Windows

If you’re encountering this error message, try these fixes to get things working again.

What Causes the “Document Not Saved” Error on Microsoft Excel for Windows?

There can be many reasons why you encounter the “document not saved” error prompt when saving an Excel workbook. Let’s check them out first before getting into solutions.

The error message can appear due to other Office-like applications installed on the system. You’ll likely face the issue if the user account doesn’t have the proper permission to save the workbook in the selected folder. If the problem appears on saving the workbook to a network location, a weak internet connection is probably causing the issue.

Now that you have prior knowledge of what causes the error message, let’s check out all the working solutions.

1. Save the Workbook With a New Name

Before trying any of the technical fixes, make sure to try to save the workbook with a new name. As it turns out, the error can result from a temporary glitch in the current workbook name. So, save the Excel file with a new name and check if it fixes the problem.

Here’s how to do it.

Open the problematic Excel workbook. Click on File from the top-left corner. Choose Save As and select the location. Give a different file name and click on Save.

If it fixes the problem, you are good to go.

2. Move the Content to a New Workbook

Similar to the file name, the problem can also appear due to a temporary glitch in the current workbook. As a solution, consider moving the content to a new Excel workbook.

To do this, select all the content using Ctrl + A hotkeys, and then press Ctrl + C to copy them. After that, create a new workbook and paste the copied content using Ctrl + V hotkeys.

That’s it. Try to save the new workbook and check if the problem is fixed or not.

3. Close Similar Applications From Background

The error message can appear due to any kind of interruption from background running applications. Specifically, Office-like applications running in the background can interfere with Microsoft Excel and cause the problem at hand. As a solution, consider closing all such applications.

Here’s how to do it.

Open the Task Manager using Ctrl + Shift + Esc. In the Processes tab, right-click on Office-like applications and choose End task from the context menu.

That’s it. Relaunch the problematic workbook and check for the problem.

4. Check Internet Connection

To save the Excel workbook to a network location, you must be connected to a stable connection. If this isn’t the case, you will face different issues with saving the workbook, including one in the discussion.

So, visit one of the internet speed checking websites and check your connection stability and speed. Contact your ISP if you are getting an unstable connection.

5. Check the Required Permissions

The error message will appear if the user account doesn’t have to require permission to access the folder where you want to save the workbook. You will have to give all the necessary permissions to solve the problem. Here’s how to do it.

Open the File Explorer using one of the many ways to open the file explorer. Navigate to the place where you want to save the Excel workbook. Come one step back, and right-click on the directory folder. Choose Properties from the context menu. Switch to the Security tab, and click on the Advanced button. Click on Change next to the Owner description. Click on Advanced > Find Now. Choose your account and click on OK. Checkmark Replace owner on subcontainers and objects. Click on Apply > OK. Right-click on the folder again > Security tab > Advanced. Click on the Add button. Choose the Select a principle option > Advanced > Find Now. Select your account > OK > OK. Checkmark the Full control box > OK. Checkmark Replace all child object permissions entries with inheritable permissions entries from this object. Click on Apply > Yes > OK.

Now try to save the Excel workbook again and check if the problem continues.

6. Open Excel in Safe Mode

The next solution you can try is to open Microsoft Excel in safe mode. In the safe mode, Excel launches without any plugins. This step will be helpful if the problem is being caused due to one of the installed plugins.

Here’s how to launch Microsoft Excel in safe mode.

Open the Run dialogue box using Win + R. Type excel /safe and press Enter.

Microsoft Excel will now open in safe mode. Check if it fixes the problem or not.

7. Update Microsoft Excel

The issue can appear due to outdated Microsoft Excel. As a solution, consider downloading the latest Microsoft Excel version. You can do it by following the below steps.

Open Microsoft Excel. Choose Account from the left pane. Click on Update Options before Office Updates. Choose Update Now from the context menu.

Microsoft will now look for and download any available Office updates. Once the process is complete, reboot the system and check for the problem.

8. Repair Microsoft Office

If you still face the problem, consider repairing Microsoft Office. As it turns out, if there’s any corruption in Microsoft Office, you’re most likely to face the problem.

So, repair Microsoft office and check if it fixes the issue. Here’s how.

Open Settings using Win + I hotkeys. Choose Apps from the left pane. Click on Apps & features. Tap on the three dots next to Microsoft Office and choose Modify. Choose Online Repair. Click on Repair > Repair.

Microsoft Office will now look for and resolve any kind of corruption found in the suit.

Excel’s “Document Not Saved” Error, Fixed

Hopefully, the solutions helped resolve the problem in the discussion. But if the issue continues, you are left with no option but to reinstall Microsoft Office.