Backup file in Excel

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Guest

I feel as though I remember that, in previous versions of Excel, you had the option on the File Properties screen to elect to create a backup file which was always the most recent version of that file prior to the current modifications. I cannot located the method for asking Excel to maintain these historical files in the XP version. Any ideas

maniac
 
If you're talking about AutoSave, then you have to install the addin
("Tools->Addins-Autosave Addin")
I'm using xl2k but I assume it's the same (but I've always gotten in
trouble with my assumptions!).

HTH
--
Regards;
Rob
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maniac said:
I feel as though I remember that, in previous versions of Excel, you
Click to expand...
had the option on the File Properties screen to elect to create a backup
file which was always the most recent version of that file prior to the
current modifications. I cannot located the method for asking Excel to
maintain these historical files in the XP version. Any ideas?
 
Gord, thanks for writing. This option is unavailable to me in Office Xp Excel. It is available in Word, but NOT in Excel. Very strange. I have done a fair amount of reading about this matter and it seems that Micrsoft elected to swith over to an AutoRecovery feature with XP which makes periodic saves in the event of a crash, but it does not allow you to simply change your mind and revert to the previously saved version of the spreadsheet, as you can do in Word.

Any further thoughts?
 
maniac

Bear with me.

You are confused by two different types of "Backup"

1. File>Save As>Tools>General Options>"always create backup" will set that
workbook to make a copy of the workbook as an *.XLK file each time the
workbook is saved.

No different from previous versions of Excel.

The backup is a version of the workbook one save back from the current save.

2. Autosave, which was discontinued in Excel 2002 overwrote the workbook at
timed increments while you had the workbook open.

Versions 2002 and 2003 have retained the "always create backup" feature but
have replaced Autosave with Autorecovery which is useful only if Excel crashes
while your workbook is open.

NOTE: Do not look under Tools>Options on the Worksheet Menu Bar. You have to
go to File>Save As and find the Tools button on that menu(top-right corner).

Gord
 
but the autosave add-in is not available for Excel XP according to Micrsosft's download sit
 
If you still have access to xl2k or xl97's version of autosave, it'll work in
xl2002.

You may want to take a look at Jan Karel Pieterse's AutoSafe (note spelling)
program. It is slightly different (and maybe much more useful).

It doesn't overwrite the existing workbook when it saves. It saves to a user
selectable folder. And when it's done, it either deletes these backups (or puts
them in the recycle bin). And the user can always restore the backups from the
recycle bin.
 
maniac

Are you sure you want the Autosave?

AutoSave overwrites the file as you work on it. DOES NOT save a backup copy
of the original version.

The "always create backup" is what you would set if you truly want a backup of
the version prior to the current edited/saved version.

Gord
 
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