The save shortcut key is Ctrl + S on Windows and Command + S on a Mac. Press it while working and the file is saved over itself in the same place, with no box to answer.
For a file that has never been saved, Ctrl + S opens a box to choose a name and folder. After that, every press saves silently. Use it every few minutes; it is the cheapest insurance against power cuts and crashes.
Quick facts
Save
Ctrl + SSave As
F12Word alternative
Shift + F12Ribbon
Alt, then F, then SSave web page
Ctrl + S in a browserMac
Command + S
Save shortcut key in different programs
| Program | First save | Later saves |
|---|---|---|
| Word, Excel, PowerPoint | Opens Save As to name the file | Saves silently |
| Notepad | Opens Save As | Saves silently |
| Chrome and Edge | Saves the web page as a file | Same box each time |
| Photo and design apps | Opens Save As | Saves in the original format |
What is the shortcut to save a Word document
- Press Ctrl + S while the document is open.
- If it is new, type a file name and choose a folder such as Documents.
- Press Enter. The title bar now shows the name.
- Keep working and press Ctrl + S again after every few changes.
To save a second copy under a different name, use F12 instead; see the save as shortcut key.
AutoSave and saving often
Office files stored in the cloud can save automatically with AutoSave, shown at the top left of Word and Excel. Files on the computer itself do not, so the habit of pressing Ctrl + S matters most there. If Word does crash, open it again and look for the Document Recovery panel on the left, which lists the copies it managed to keep. Office also keeps recovery copies after a crash, but they may be minutes old.
Shortcut key to save a document in a browser
In Chrome or Edge, Ctrl + S saves the current web page to your computer, either as complete HTML or a single file. To keep a clean copy of a receipt or article, printing to PDF is often better; see the print shortcut key. Online editors such as web mail save drafts on their own, and Ctrl + S may do nothing there. When in doubt, look for a small Saved message near the top of the page.
When save does not work
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| File is read only | Use F12 to save a copy with a new name |
| Saved but cannot find it | Look in File, then Recent, or search the name in File Explorer |
| Disk full warning | Free space or save to another drive |
| Ctrl + S opens a website box | You are in a browser; it saves the page, not your form |
Save on a Mac
Press Command + S. Many Mac apps save versions automatically, and File, then Revert To lets you go back to an earlier one. Our alphabet of Ctrl keys has the rest of the letters, and creating new files is covered in new file shortcut.
Frequently asked questions
Which key combination saves a file?
What is the shortcut to save a Word document?
What is the difference between Ctrl + S and F12?
Ctrl + S saves the same file. F12 is Save As, which makes a new copy.
Why does Ctrl + S ask for a name?
The file has never been saved, so it needs a name and place.
What is the file save shortcut key in Excel?
Does Ctrl + S work on laptops?
Yes, it uses letter keys only.