Working on Microsoft Word is quite a common endeavour these days. While doing so, it is crucial to store a document after completing it. This ensures that all the hard work put into it is not lost or does not go to waste.
Save and Save As are two functions on Microsoft Word that help in storing documents.
Save vs Save As
The difference between save and save as is that save is a command in the File menu of Microsoft Word that enables a user to store a document back to the file or folder from where it came in the first place. Meanwhile, save as is a command that enables a user to store a new document in a new location.
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Save function allows a user to update or overhaul a document that has already been saved before. The new version of the document that is stored will match the current working version of the document or data.
In simple words, the existing saved document will be updated to a new one. Save as function allows a user to store a document for the first time. This means that a person can save a new document in a completely new location.
Moreover, the function will also ask the user for a new name under which the document must be saved on a device.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Save | Save As |
|---|---|---|
| Function | The save command allows a user to save a document back to where it came from. | The save as command allows a user to save a new document in a new location. |
| Uses | The save command enables a user to avoid data loss as well as update previously saved work. | The save as command allows a user to save an existing file in a new location under a different name. |
| Type of File | This function only applies to files that have been saved before. | The function can be applied to previously saved files as well as new files. |
| Procedure | The procedure is short as it only includes one step. | The procedure is comparatively longer as it includes additional steps. |
| Short Cut | The shortcut key for the save function is Ctrl+S, Shift+F12 or Alt+Shift+F2. | The shortcut key for save as function is F12 or Alt+F+A. |
| Limitation | A file cannot be saved in a new format using the save command. | A file can be saved in a new format, or the existing format can be changed using the save as command. |
What is Save?
Save is a command present on the File menu of Microsoft Word. It allows a user to store an updated version of a document back to the place where it was originally saved.
This implies that the newly saved version will match the current working version of a document on Microsoft Word. The command is very useful during the process of editing.
There are various methods present on Microsoft Word that allow a user to save documents and data. The easiest way is to click on the icon present on top of the screen. This icon looks like a disk.
It automatically saves the document in its original location which was previously chosen. Moreover, the name of the document remains the same.
Another method for using this function is by going to the File menu and clicking on the ‘Save’ option. Microsoft Word even enables the user to save a document using shortcut keys which are Ctrl+S, Shift+F12 and Alt+Shift+F2.
Users can press any one of the combinations on their keyboard to save the document without any hassle. The command is simple and fast as it involves only one step.
However, a limitation of using it is that the command does not allow saving the file in a new or changed format.
What is Save As?
Save as is another command present in the File menu of Microsoft Word. Unlike the save function, save as is generally used to store a new file in a new location.
It can even be used to store an existing file in a new location under the same name. Moreover, while doing so, the user is even given an option to choose a new name for the document.
To use this command, a user must go to the File menu and select the ‘Save As’ option that is located under the ‘Save’ option. In doing so, a dialogue box pops up on the screen.
Here, a user can choose where the file must be saved and under what name. It even allows the user to choose the file type. This means that the format of the document can be changed while saving.
Another method to use this command is by pressing short cut keys which are F12 and Alt+F+A. In doing so, a dialogue box opens immediately. This shortens the length of the process by eliminating a few steps.
The command is useful for creating a new file as well as a backup file. Many a time, the process is even referred to as ‘exporting’.
Main Differences Between Save and Save As
- Save command allows a user to save a document back to where it came from while the save as command allows a user to save a new document in a new location
- Save command is useful for updating previous work and preventing data loss while save as is useful for changing the location and name of a stored document.
- Save command can only be applied to previously saved files while save as function can be applied to new files as well.
- The shortcut key for the save command is Ctrl+S, Shift+F12 or Alt+Shift+F2 while that for save as command is F12 or Alt+F+A.
- Save command does not allow a user to change the format of a document while saving it whereas the save as command allows a user to do so.
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S8755461508000650
- https://www.jstor.org/stable/25481478
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Sandeep Bhandari holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Computers from Thapar University (2006). He has 20 years of experience in the technology field. He has a keen interest in various technical fields, including database systems, computer networks, and programming. You can read more about him on his bio page.
