When you start a new PowerPoint presentation, it's important to know how to save it. This helps you keep your work safe and lets you come back to it later. You can save your file on your computer or online using OneDrive. PowerPoint also lets you export and share your presentations.

Save vs. Save As

PowerPoint gives you two options to save your work: Save and Save As.

  • Save is used to keep changes in your current file. You only choose a file name and location the first time. After that, you just click Save again as you work.
  • Save As lets you make a copy of your file. You choose a new name or location. This keeps the original file unchanged.

Saving to OneDrive

OneDrive is a cloud storage service from Microsoft. It works with PowerPoint and lets you save and share files online. To use it, sign in with your Microsoft account.

How to Save a Presentation

  1. Click the Save icon on the top toolbar.
    How to Save and Share a PowerPoint Presentation

  2. If this is your first time saving the file, a new window will open.
  3. Choose where you want to save the file—on your PC or in OneDrive.
    How to Save and Share a PowerPoint Presentation

  4. Type a name for your presentation and click Save.
    How to Save and Share a PowerPoint Presentation

  5. You can also press Ctrl+S to save quickly while working.

How to Use Save As

Use Save As if you want to keep the original file but also create a new version. For example, if your original file is "Sales.pptx", you can save it as "Sales_Update.pptx".

  1. Click the File tab.
  2. Choose Save As.
  3. Pick a new location or file name.
  4. Click Save.

Change Default Save Location

If PowerPoint keeps saving to OneDrive and you want to save to your computer instead, you can change the default setting.

  1. Click the File tab.
  2. Click Options.
  3. In the dialog box, go to the Save tab.
  4. Check the box next to “Save to Computer by default”.
  5. Click OK.

Using AutoRecover

PowerPoint saves your work automatically every 10 minutes. This is called AutoRecover. If your computer crashes or you forget to save, you might still be able to get your work back.

  1. Open PowerPoint.
  2. If autosaved files are found, they will appear in the Document Recovery pane.
  3. Click the file you want to restore.
  4. If you don’t see it, go to File > Manage Presentation > Recover Unsaved Presentations.

Exporting a Presentation

You can export your PowerPoint in different formats, such as:

  • PDF – for easy printing or sharing
  • Video – turns your slides into a video
  • Handouts – prints slides for meetings
  • Older file types – like PowerPoint 97-2003 (.ppt)
  • Images – saves slides as pictures

To export:

  1. Click File > Export.
  2. Choose the format you want.
  3. Click Save As and choose a location and file name.
  4. Click Save.

Sharing Your Presentation

You can easily share your presentation with others through OneDrive. This allows people to work on the same file without sending emails back and forth.

To share:

  1. Save your file to OneDrive.
  2. Click File > Share.
  3. The Share panel will open.
  4. Choose how you want to share your file.

This way, everyone can work on the same file without creating many copies. It makes teamwork much easier and faster.