Microsoft KB Archive/189083

= WD97: Automatically Saving Current Work (Open Document) =

Article ID: 189083

Article Last Modified on 1/23/2007

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Word 97 Standard Edition

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This article was previously published under Q189083





SUMMARY
Microsoft Word does not have built-in functionality that allows you to automatically perform a full save of the current document at specific intervals. Instead, Word uses a separate AutoRecover file to prevent data loss.

This article explains why the AutoRecover file method is more effective than automatic full saves.

NOTE: While it is possible to write a macro that will save your document at regular intervals, this is neither recommended nor supported.



How the AutoRecover Feature Works
When you enable the "Save AutoRecover info every" option (click Options on the Tools menu, and click the Save tab), Word creates a temporary AutoRecover file which includes the latest changes in your document. This file is updated at the end of each preset period.

This AutoRecover file is created so that it will be available when Word is restarted after a crash. Each time Word is started, it searches your computer for these temporary AutoRecover files and automatically opens them. When Word successfully recovers a file, the file is displayed, and the document title bar displays the file name of the document as " (Recovered)." You can save the file at this time to permanently preserve your work or save it with a new name using the Save As command on the File menu.

Why a Separate AutoRecover File Is Better Than an Automatic Full Save
When you perform a full save of your file, there is no way to go back to your original version. If the document were to be saved automatically, then there would be many instances where data would be lost because a full save is irreversible. In contrast, AutoRecover does not overwrite your original file: this allows you to back out of most errors simply by not saving changes when you close the file. An AutoRecover file is created or updated each time there are changes that have not been saved at the end of the preset time period. You should perform a full save specifically based on progress you've made in your document rather than arbitrarily at regular time intervals.

How to Manually Save a File
At any time during an editing session, it is possible to save your file using a keystroke (CTRL+S), by clicking the save button on the Standard toolbar, or by clicking Save on the File menu. All of these options will save the file and then delete the temporary AutoRecover file.

If you forget to save your work prior to closing the Word program, you are reminded that the work has not been saved and you are given the opportunity to save or not save. Either option clears the temporary AutoRecover file. Doing it this way, you are protected in case of crashes, power failures, and so on.

Another way to protect your work and maintain all of your changes is to use the Versions option on the File menu.

In Word, for more information about the AutoRecover feature, click the Office Assistant, type "Prevent loss of work and recover lost documents" click Search, and then click " Prevent loss of work and recover lost documents."

NOTE: If the Assistant is hidden, click the Office Assistant button on the Standard toolbar. If Word Help is not installed on your computer, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

120802 Office: How to Add/Remove a Single Office Program or Component

Additional query words: 8.00 autosave office8 office97 schedule timed word8 word97

Keywords: kbinfo KB189083

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