OneDrive File Issues

How to Save Excel Files Locally and in OneDrive at the Same Time

Chanuka Geekiyanage Sep 29, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user wants to know how to save an Excel spreadsheet so that it is stored as a local file on their computer and simultaneously backed up or synced to OneDrive.

How to Save Excel Files Locally and in OneDrive Simultaneously

Product: Microsoft Excel, OneDrive
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Saving important spreadsheets for both guaranteed offline availability and secure cloud backup without having to manually save the file twice in different locations.
Observed behavior: By default, saving directly to the cloud might result in a cloud-only file using Files On-Demand, preventing offline access unless properly configured within the local OneDrive folder.

Before you start

Ensure that the OneDrive desktop application is installed, running on your computer, and signed in to your Microsoft account so that background synchronization is active.

Solution 1Recommended

Save to the Local OneDrive Folder and Enable Offline Access

This is the most efficient way to maintain a local copy of an individual Excel file while seamlessly syncing it to your OneDrive cloud.

Windows integrates OneDrive directly into the File Explorer. By saving your Excel file into this specific directory, OneDrive will automatically handle the synchronization to the cloud. However, because of the 'Files On-Demand' feature, you must explicitly tell Windows to keep a permanent local copy of the file for offline access.

Save the file to OneDrive directory

In Excel, click on 'File' > 'Save As', select 'Browse', and choose your local OneDrive folder from the left-hand navigation pane in the Save dialog window.

Locate the saved file

Open Windows File Explorer and navigate to the OneDrive folder where you just saved your Excel file.

Force the file to remain local

Right-click the Excel file (or the specific folder containing it) and select 'Always keep on this device' from the context menu. A solid green checkmark icon will appear next to the file, indicating it is permanently available offline.

Save to the Local OneDrive Folder and Enable Offline Access

Sync Status Indicator: As long as you see the solid green circle with a white checkmark, your file is successfully saved locally and synchronized with OneDrive.

Solution 2

Download All OneDrive Files Locally

Use this solution if you want every file stored in your OneDrive to be saved locally on your computer automatically.

Work Across Devices Efficiently

Save Spreadsheets Locally and to the Cloud with WPS Office

WPS Office Spreadsheet provides a seamless experience for managing your files. You can easily save your files to your local drive, sync them with third-party cloud services like OneDrive, or use the built-in WPS Cloud to ensure your documents are accessible offline and securely backed up online.

1. Open WPS Spreadsheet: Launch WPS Office and open a new or existing spreadsheet.
2. Access the Save Menu: Click on 'Menu' in the top-left corner and select 'Save As'.
3. Select your local OneDrive Folder: Choose 'Local Path' or 'Browse', navigate to your local OneDrive directory, and click 'Save'. Your file is now saved locally and will sync automatically.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx, .xls, .csv) formatsEasily save documents locally or seamlessly integrate with OneDrive and Google DriveLightweight software that runs smoothly on Windows, Mac, and LinuxFree to use with a familiar, highly intuitive tabbed interface

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my Excel files only saving to OneDrive and not locally?

This is likely due to OneDrive's 'Files On-Demand' feature, which saves hard drive space by storing files strictly in the cloud until you open them. To fix this, right-click the file in your OneDrive folder and select 'Always keep on this device'.

Will changes made offline automatically sync to OneDrive?

Yes. When you save changes to the local OneDrive file while offline, the file updates locally. The moment your computer reconnects to the internet, the OneDrive application will automatically detect the changes and sync them to the cloud.

Can I save a file to two completely different local folders at once?

Excel does not natively support saving a file to two completely separate local directories simultaneously. You would either need to manually use 'Save As' twice, or use a VBA macro to automate the dual-saving process.

Document & File Issues