Setting the AutoRecover Directory

Summary: Excel, by default, periodically writes information to AutoRecover files that can help protect your data in case Excel is ended abnormally. You can specify where you want these AutoRecover files stored by using the information in this tip. (This tip works with Microsoft Excel 97, Excel 2000, Excel 2002, Excel 2003, and Excel 2007.)

Excel has a feature that causes automatic saving of temporary files, in case there is a problem with your computer. (You know the routine—power goes out, whatever.) This feature is called AutoRecover. When an AutoRecover file is saved to disk, it is placed in a directory that you specify. To change the directory used for saving AutoRecover files, follow these steps:

Choose Options from the Tools menu. Excel displays the Options dialog box.
Click on the Save tab. (Click here to see a related figure.)
In the AutoRecover Save Location box, enter the full path of the folder in which you want the files saved.
Click on OK.

If you are using Excel 2007 then the steps are slightly different:

Click the Office button and then click Excel Options. Excel displays the Excel Options dialog box.
Click the Save button at the left side of the dialog box. (Click here to see a related figure.)
In the AutoRecover File Location box, enter the full path of the folder in which you want the files saved.
Click on OK.

ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (3342) applies to Microsoft Excel versions: 97 | 2000 | 2002 | 2003 | 2007

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Setting the AutoRecover Directory