The quickest way to save a copy

To save a copy of a Word document you already have open, go to File > Save As. Choose where you want to save it (your computer, OneDrive, or another location), give it a new name, and click Save. Word will create a duplicate with the new name while keeping your original file unchanged.

This is different from the regular Save command, which updates the file you are currently working in. Save As creates a separate copy, so you end up with two versions of the document.

Key Takeaways

  • Save As creates a new copy with a different name or location, while Save updates the file you are currently editing.
  • You can save copies to your computer's hard drive, OneDrive, SharePoint, or other cloud storage services that Word supports.
  • Changing the file format (for example, saving as PDF or an older Word version) is done through the Save As dialog.
  • If you want to keep working on the original file after saving a copy, make sure you switch back to it before making more changes.

Saving a copy to your computer

Open the document you want to copy. Click File in the top left corner, then select Save As. A dialog box will open showing your computer's file system.

Navigate to the folder where you want the copy to live — your Documents folder is the default location. Type a new name for the copy in the File name field at the bottom. Make sure Word Document (.docx) is selected in the Save as type dropdown, then click Save. Word will create the copy and switch to editing the new file.

Saving a copy to OneDrive or SharePoint

If your document is stored on OneDrive or SharePoint, the Save As process works the same way. Click File > Save As, and you will see your cloud storage locations listed on the left side of the dialog.

Select the cloud location you want, choose the folder within it, type a new name, and click Save. The copy will be created in the cloud, and you will be working in that copy from that point forward. Your original file stays in its original location untouched.

Saving in a different file format

Word documents normally save as .docx files, but you can save a copy in other formats if you need to. Open File > Save As, and look at the Save as type dropdown near the bottom of the dialog.

Common options include PDF (for sharing documents that should not be edited), Word 97-2003 Document (.doc) (for older versions of Word), and Plain Text (.txt) (for a version with no formatting). Select the format you want, give the file a name, and click Save. The copy will be created in that format.

What happens to the original file

When you use Save As, the original file is not affected. It stays exactly as it was, in its original location, with its original name. Word simply creates a new copy with the name and location you specified.

After you click Save, Word switches to editing the new copy. If you want to go back to the original file, you will need to open it separately through File > Open. Any changes you make from that point forward will be to whichever file you currently have open.

Saving a copy without opening the original

If you want to create a copy of a document without opening it, you can do this through your file manager. On Windows, right-click the Word file and select Copy, then right-click in the same folder and select Paste. Windows will create a copy with a name like "Copy of [original name]".

On a Mac, right-click the file and select Duplicate. The copy will appear in the same folder with "copy" added to its name. You can then rename it to whatever you prefer. This method is faster if you just need a backup and do not need to open the document right away.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will saving a copy delete the original?

No. Save As creates a new file and leaves the original completely untouched. After you save the copy, you will be working in the new file, but the original remains in its original location with its original name.

Can I save a copy with the same name in a different folder?

Yes. When you use Save As, you can keep the same filename but choose a different folder or location. Word will create the copy in that new location while the original stays where it was.

What is the difference between Save and Save As?

Save updates the file you are currently editing and keeps the same name and location. Save As creates a new copy with a different name or location, and Word switches to editing that copy instead of the original.

Can I save a copy to Google Drive or Dropbox?

If you have Google Drive or Dropbox synced to your computer as a folder, you can save a copy there by selecting that folder in the Save As dialog. Some versions of Word also have direct integration with these services through the cloud location list on the left side of the dialog.

What happens if I save a copy with a name that already exists?

Word will ask you to confirm that you want to replace the existing file. If you click Yes, the old file will be overwritten with the new copy. If you want to keep both, click No and choose a different name.