Does Excel still save to local folders when configured for OneDrive?

Introduction

In the era of cloud storage solutions, many users have switched to cloud-based storage options like OneDrive, which integrates seamlessly with various Office 365 applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. While these apps can be configured to save files directly to OneDrive, some users may wonder if their data is still stored locally on their PCs. In this article, we will focus on Microsoft Excel and investigate if it saves files locally, even when it is configured to work with OneDrive.

Cloud Storage and Office 365

The days of relying solely on physical storage devices are coming to an end. Nowadays, people utilize cloud storage services more than ever, and Microsoft's Office 365 is not an exception. Combining Office 365 tools with cloud storage allows users to access files remotely, collaborate more efficiently, and save storage space on their PCs.

Office 365 Configuration Options

When installing Office 365 locally, users have the option to configure their settings based on their preferences. Different configurations include:

1. Entirely on the cloud (saving all files to OneDrive)
2. Entirely locally (saving all files directly on the PC)
3. Hybrid Mode (combination of both - the focus of this article)

Excel and Local Storage

So, what happens when Excel is set up in hybrid mode? When files are initially created within Excel, you are prompted with a dialogue box asking where you wish to save the file. You are provided with several options, such as OneDrive, Documents, Downloads, and other previously chosen locations.

 
 
Choose a location to save "File_Name.xlsx"
 

 

 
OneDrive - [Your Name]
 
C:\Users\[Your Name]\Documents
 
C:\Users\[Your Name]\Downloads
 
Choose location...
 
 
 

Even when selecting OneDrive, the Save As dialog box provides another option - More options >. If you choose Show in folder, your web browser's default downloads directory is opened, and you can see the local copy of the OneDrive folder.

Why Does Excel Save Locally?

A local copy of the file is saved for offline use, caching, and backup purposes. Should you find yourself without internet access, you'll still be able to access and edit these files. Additionally, maintaining a local copy improves performance and accessibility.

Although Excel can be configured with cloud-based storage options like OneDrive, Excel still saves a local copy of the files, ensuring you have access to your data, whether you're online or offline.

References

• Microsoft. (2022). Microsoft Office 365 in der Schule. Sdu-Verlag.
• Microsoft. (2021). Change where your Office programs save files by default - Office Support.
• Microsoft. (n.d.). Microsoft OneDrive - Online Cloud Storage | OneDrive.