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How to Save Word Documents to OneDrive by Default

Tap through each step to make OneDrive your default save location.

  1. Sign in with your Microsoft account

    Check the top-right corner of Word to confirm you are signed in with a Microsoft account.

  2. Open File > Save As

    On the "File" tab, click "Save As."

  3. Choose OneDrive

    From the list of save locations, choose "OneDrive - Personal" or your organization's OneDrive.

  4. Set it as your default location

    Go to File > Options > Save and uncheck "Save to Computer by default" so OneDrive becomes your default location going forward.

  5. Why it is useful

    Saving your documents to the cloud automatically means you can pick up work on any device, and real-time autosave means less worry about losing your progress.

Keep working across every device

If you want to continue a document you started at work on your computer at home, saving it to OneDrive is the most convenient way β€” no need to move files around with a USB drive or email attachments.

AutoSave kicks in automatically for cloud files

Once a document lives on OneDrive, Word's AutoSave feature saves your changes continuously in the background, which sharply reduces the risk of losing work to a crash or an accidentally closed window.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much free OneDrive storage do I get?

Each Microsoft account gets a set amount of free storage, and you can upgrade to a paid subscription for more space if you need it.

Can I still open OneDrive documents without an internet connection?

Yes β€” documents you have previously opened are cached locally, so you can view and edit them offline, and changes sync automatically once you reconnect.