What Are Effective Methods to Resolve Excel 2016 Not Saving Changes

You add new data, formulas, and formatting to your worksheet, then hit 'File' and 'Save As' to retain the changes. However, when you reopen the file later only to discover that your modifications are missing and not saved, it can be incredibly frustrating!

Occasionally, you might encounter the issue where Microsoft Excel is not saving changes or Excel is not saving formatting changes to an existing file. While Excel does have an AutoSave feature (learn how to enable Excel AutoSave) that saves your workbook automatically as you edit it, this function may not be effective when you have manually saved the file previously.

The reasons for the Excel not saving changes issue are varied. Continue reading to understand why Excel is not saving formatting and how to resolve it.

Why Isn't Excel Saving Changes (Formatting, Data, and Formulas)?

Are you wondering why changes in Excel 2016 aren't being saved? The information below can assist you in identifying the potential causes of this problem.

• Lack of permission to access the folder where the file is saved.
• Third-party Add-ins are interfering with Excel's ability to save.
• The Excel XLS or XLSX file has become corrupted due to unknown factors.
• Insufficient disk space available for saving Excel modifications.
• Antivirus software is conflicting with Excel and blocking the saving of changes.

Now that you've understood the causes of the Excel not saving changes problem, let's start addressing it.

1. Repair Corrupted Excel XLS or XLSX File

Right at the start of troubleshooting, you should first verify if your workbook is intact. If the Excel document workbook is corrupted, it naturally won't be able to save any changes.

To repair corrupted Excel documents, you have two options available.

使用文件修复工具

To repair corrupted Excel, Word, or PPT Office documents, you can utilize the Fixo File Repair tools for assistance. This tool also supports 修复损坏的PDF文件, PowerPoint presentations, and Word documents effectively. Below are the steps to repair Excel files in just three steps: 1. Download and install the Fixo File Repair tool on your computer. 2. Launch the application and select the corrupted Excel file that needs repair. 3. Click on the "Repair" button and let the tool scan and fix the issues with the file. 4. Once the repair process is complete, save the repaired file to your desired location. By following these simple steps, you should be able to recover and restore your damaged Excel files.

Step 1. Download and install Fixo on your PC or laptop. Launch the application and select "File Repair" to fix corrupted Office files, which includes Word, Excel, PDF, and other file types. Click "Add Files" to choose the corrupted documents you wish to repair.

Step 2. To repair multiple files simultaneously, click the "Repair All" button. If you wish to repair a single document, hover your pointer over the targeted file and select "Repair." You can also preview the documents by clicking the eye icon.

Step 3. Click "Save" to save the selected document. Choose "Save All" to save all the repaired files. Select "View Repaired" to locate the repaired folder.

Use the Office Open or Repair Option

Microsoft Office provides an inbuilt Open or Repair tool to fix corrupted documents.

Step 1. Launch Excel 2016, 2013, 2010, or any other version.

Step 2. Click "File" in the top left corner, and then click "Open".

Step 3. In the Open dialog box, select the Excel file that cannot be saved.

Step 4. Click the downward-facing arrow on the "Open" button, then click "Open and Repair."

Fix 2: Check the Folder Permissions

When you wish to save an Excel file, you require read, write, and modify permissions for the folder where you intend to save the workbook.

You can right-click the folder, choose "Properties" > click the "Security" tab. Check the permissions for the folder.

如果拒绝读取和写入权限，Excel保存过程将无法完成。您需要获取文件的所有权以进行编辑和保存。

Fix 3: Start Excel in Safe Mode

Sometimes, plug-ins are the source of the problem. If you can save Excel formatting when you run Excel in safe mode, the issue might be caused by a third-party add-in.

Begin by starting your application in safe mode and check if the issue of Excel not saving changes persists.

Press and hold the Ctrl key, then click on the Excel icon. Keep the Ctrl key held down until a prompt for safe mode appears. When asked for confirmation, click "Yes" to open Excel in safe mode.

If you're able to save formatting changes in Excel, follow these steps: Open Excel normally and disable add-ins one at a time. Each time you disable an add-in, restart Excel to check if the issue persists. This will help identify the problematic add-in.

Fix 4: Disable Add-ins in Excel

Step 1. Open Excel. Click on "File" then "Options" and then "Add-ins."

Step 2. Select "COM Add-ins" and click "Go".

Step 3. Deselect all add-ins in the list, and click "OK". Restart Excel afterwards.

Fix 5: Ensure Sufficient Disk Space

When you save an Excel file to a hard disk or an external storage device, it's crucial to ensure that there is enough free space on the disk to accommodate the saved file. If the hard disk lacks sufficient space, Excel won't be able to complete the saving process, and you'll encounter an error message indicating that Excel is not saving changes.

You can utilize a simple Windows 10 partition management tool to assist you in resizing and extending the partition. The tools Partition Master enables you to expand the partition on HDD, SSD, and external hard drives without any data loss.

Simple steps to expand hard drive partition using partitioning software tools: 1. Choose a reliable Partitioning Software: Start by selecting a trusted and user-friendly partition manager, such as tools Partition Master, MiniTool Partition Wizard, or AOMEI Backupper. Ensure it's compatible with your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux). 2. Download and Install: Visit the official website of the chosen software and download the appropriate version for your system. Follow the installation instructions to set it up. 3. Launch the Software: After installation, open the partition manager. The main interface will display all the hard drives and partitions connected to your computer. 4. Identify the Partition to Extend: Locate the partition that needs more space. It's usually the one running low on disk space, indicated by a red or yellow warning sign. 5. Check Available Unallocated Space: Look for unallocated space on the same hard drive. Unallocated space is unused areas that can be assigned to a partition. 6. Resize/Extend Partition: Right-click on the partition you want to expand and select "Resize/Move Partition" or "Extend Partition." A graphical representation of your硬盘 will appear, allowing you to drag the partition's boundary to allocate the desired space. 7. Allocate Free Space: Drag the partition handle towards the unallocated space to increase its size. Make sure not to allocate more space than available. 8. Apply Changes: Once satisfied with the new layout, click on "Apply" or "Execute Operation" to initiate the process. The software will warn you about any potential risks before proceeding. 9. Wait for the Process to Complete: The partition resizing may take some time, depending on the size of the partition and the speed of your hard drive. Do not turn off your computer during this process. 10. Verify the New Space: After the operation is finished, restart your computer, and check the partition properties to confirm the increased space. Remember to backup important data before making any changes to your partitions, as errors can potentially lead to data loss.

Step 1. Locate the Target Partition.

Go to Partition Manager, locate the target partition and select "Resize/Move".

Step 2. Extend the Target Partition.

Drag the partition panel rightwards or leftwards to add the unallocated space into your current partition, then click "OK" to confirm.

Additional Option: Get Space from Another Drive

If there isn't enough unallocated space on your disk, right-click on a large partition with sufficient free space and select "Allocate Space".

Then select the target partition that you want to extend at the Allocate space to column.

Step 3. Execute Operations to Extend Partition.

Drag the dots of the target partition into the unallocated space and click "OK".

Click the “Execute Task” button and then “Apply” to save all the changes.

Fix 6: Repairing Office Installation

Microsoft provides a repair tool to fix corrupted Office applications that could lead to Excel not saving changes.

You can first try Quick Repair, which takes a few minutes. If that doesn't help, then try Online Repair to fix a corrupted installation, which may generally take dozens of minutes.

Step 1. Right-click the Windows start button and select "Control Panel."

Step 2. Click on "Programs and Features" and then select "Microsoft Office".

Step 3. Click "Repair" and then "Continue". Choose either "Quick Repair" or "Online Repair". Wait for the process to complete, and then open Excel to check if you can save your file.

Fix 7: Temporarily Deactivate the Antivirus Software

When the antivirus software is running and protecting your computer, it might interfere with the Excel saving process, preventing you from preserving formatting or data modifications.

To investigate whether your antivirus software is conflicting with Excel, you can temporarily disable it and then attempt to save the Excel file. However, Microsoft does not advise users to turn off antivirus software permanently, as this leaves your computer susceptible to viruses or malware. Hence, once you have identified the issue, it's crucial to reactivate the antivirus software immediately.

Other Helpful Workarounds to Save Excel Workbooks: 1. Save As Different File Format: If the issue is specific to the current file format, try saving the workbook in a different format such as CSV, PDF, or Excel's older .xls format. This can sometimes resolve compatibility or corruption issues. 2. Use a Backup Copy: Before making any significant changes, create a backup copy of your workbook. You can do this by saving a copy with a different name or using the "Save As" feature. This ensures you have a safe version to revert to if something goes wrong. 3. Repair Office Installation: If the issue seems to be related to your Microsoft Office installation, consider running the built-in repair tool. Access it through Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features > (Select Microsoft Office) > Change > Repair. 4. Save in Safe Mode: Sometimes, third-party add-ins or corrupted settings can interfere with saving. Start Excel in Safe Mode (by pressing and holding Ctrl while clicking the Excel icon) and attempt to save your workbook. If it saves successfully, disable add-ins one by one to identify the problematic one. 5. Remove Recent Files List: Corrupted entries in the recent files list might cause issues. Clear the list by going to File > Options > Advanced > General, and under Privacy, click "Clear Recent File List." 6. Save to Another Location: If saving to a specific folder is causing problems, try saving the workbook to a different location like your desktop or a USB drive. This can help determine if the issue lies with the folder or the file itself. 7. Check for Viruses: Malware could potentially interfere with saving files. Run a full system scan with an up-to-date antivirus software to ensure your system is clean. 8. Use a Different Computer: If all else fails, try opening and saving the workbook on another computer. If it saves without issues, this indicates a problem specific to your original computer. Remember, always make regular backups and save your work frequently to minimize the risk of data loss.

If none of the solutions outlined in this article resolve the issue where Excel is not saving changes or not preserving formatting alterations, attempt the following methods to successfully save your Excel files.

1. Utilize the Save AS function to save Excel with a new file name. 2. Transfer the original worksheets to a new workbook. 3. Save the file as a different Excel file format, for example, changing .xls to .xlsx or converting .xlsx to .xls. 4. Save the workbook in a different location. 5. Attempt to save the Excel files in Safe Mode.

In Summary

That's all. We've done our best to cover all the useful information regarding the issue of Excel 2016 or other Excel versions not saving changes. The causes of this problem include restricted file permissions, third-party add-ins, insufficient storage space, file corruption, and conflicting antivirus software.

To resolve the issue of "Excel cannot save," you can take appropriate steps to fix Excel not saving changes. This may include checking folder permissions, disabling add-ins, increasing disk space, turning off antivirus software, and using a file repair tool to mend corrupted Excel files.

If the methods don't work, and your Excel still not saving formatting changes, try these tips to save Excel files using alternative methods.

Hope this user guide proves to be helpful for you.