Office Settings & Configuration

How to Open the Save As File Browser Directly in Office 2019

Algirdas Jasaitis Oct 9, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to bypass the Backstage view in Word or Excel and open the traditional Windows Save As file browser directly when saving documents.

How to Open the Save As File Browser Directly in Office 2019

Product: Microsoft Office 2019
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Saving a new document or spreadsheet using the Save As command.
Observed behavior: Clicking Save As opens the Microsoft Office Backstage view instead of the standard Windows file browser.

Before you start

Ensure you have Microsoft Word or Excel 2019 open on your computer. Keep in mind that changing this saving preference will apply across all your standard Office 2019 applications.

Solution 1Recommended

Disable Backstage View in Office Options

You can modify the Office Save settings to ensure that using keyboard shortcuts opens the Save As dialog directly without showing the Backstage view.

This is the most permanent method if you rely on keyboard shortcuts to save files. By enabling this option, Office skips the screen that asks you to choose a save location (like OneDrive or a local PC folder).

Open Office Options

Launch Word or Excel, click on the 'File' tab in the top-left corner, and select 'Options' at the very bottom of the left-hand menu.

Navigate to Save Settings

In the Options dialog box, click on 'Save' in the left-hand pane to access your saving preferences.

Check the Bypass Option

Locate and check the box that says 'Don’t show the Backstage when opening or saving files with keyboard shortcuts'.

Apply Changes

Click 'OK' to save your settings. Now, using a shortcut like Ctrl+S for an unsaved document will open the traditional file browser.

Disable Backstage View in Office Options

Global Setting: This setting applies globally to Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and other standard Office 2019 programs.

Solution 2

Use the F12 Keyboard Shortcut

If you want to skip changing settings entirely, you can use a dedicated function key shortcut to trigger the Save As file browser instantly.

Solution 3

Add Save As to the Quick Access Toolbar

For users who prefer using a mouse over keyboard shortcuts, adding the Save As command to your Quick Access Toolbar bypasses the Backstage view.

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Try WPS Office for a Clean, Straightforward Saving Experience

If you find Microsoft Office's Backstage view unnecessarily complex, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly intuitive user interface where managing and saving files is simple and fast, without compromising on feature sets.

1. Download and Install: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installation package for your operating system.
2. Open a Document: Launch WPS Writer, Spreadsheet, or Presentation and create a new document. You will notice the clean, intuitive interface.
3. Save Directly: Click the Save icon or press Ctrl+S. WPS Office directly opens the familiar file browser, saving you time and extra clicks.

Seamless compatibility with Microsoft Office formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx)Straightforward file saving process without navigating complex Backstage menusFamiliar tabbed interface makes transitioning effortlessFree, lightweight, and fast-loading on Windows, Mac, and Linux

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Office 2019 open the Backstage view instead of the file browser by default?

Microsoft designed the Backstage view to centralize cloud-saving options (like OneDrive and SharePoint) and recent folder locations. However, for users who prefer saving to their local hard drives, it often feels like an extra, unnecessary step.

Will checking the 'Don't show Backstage' option change how 'File > Save As' works with my mouse?

No, this specific setting only applies when you use keyboard shortcuts like Ctrl+S (on an unsaved document) or Ctrl+O. Clicking 'File' followed by 'Save As' using your mouse will still open the Backstage view unless you use the Quick Access Toolbar button.

Does the F12 shortcut to bypass Backstage work on a Mac?

On Mac versions of Microsoft Office, pressing Command+Shift+S generally triggers the Save As dialog directly. The F12 shortcut is primarily designed for the Windows version of Office 2019.

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