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You edit a SharePoint workbook through your personal working copy. This is a spreadsheet asset linked to the file in SharePoint. Use it when you want to work on a workbook without immediately changing the original. Your changes reach SharePoint only when you explicitly save them there. You can also save a separate file beside the original.

How to update your copy from SharePoint, then save safely

  1. Edit your copy
  2. Review what SharePoint changed
  3. Bring the changes in
  4. Choose what to keep
  5. Open Save to SharePoint
  6. Replace the original
  7. Check the version history
  8. Or save beside the original

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Edit and save your copy

  1. Open an accessible SharePoint workbook. The working-copy status identifies its original file. This flow supports .xlsx and .xlsm workbooks.
  2. Make your changes in the spreadsheet. Check the working-copy status for changes that have not reached SharePoint.
  3. Select Save to SharePoint. You can also open the working-copy status menu and select Save to SharePoint….
  4. Review the available methods. Replace the original saves a new version of the file. Save the changed cells writes only changed cells through Excel. Save beside the original creates a separate file.
  5. Choose an available method and select Save. Wait for the save result before treating your changes as saved in SharePoint.
If SharePoint has a newer version, the status strip hides Save to SharePoint, and Replace the original and Save the changed cells are unavailable. Select Update from SharePoint on the strip or in the save dialog to bring the changes in first. You can instead save beside the original, which becomes the default.

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Save a separate file

  1. Open Save to SharePoint and select Save beside the original.
  2. Review New file name and enter the name you want.
  3. Select Keep working on the new file from now on if future updates and saves should follow the new file. Leave it unchecked to continue following the original.
  4. Select Save. A message reads “Nothing in SharePoint was replaced.” With Keep working on the new file from now on ticked, the message says the original was not changed.

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Limits

You need access to the linked file and SharePoint permission for the save you choose. The available save methods depend on the current workbook and its changes. Unavailable methods explain why they cannot run. Your copy is retained if SharePoint access is lost, but it cannot open until access returns. Saving also waits when SharePoint cannot confirm access. For simultaneous writes to the same cell through Save the changed cells, the later save wins. SharePoint retains both versions in its history.