By Julie Bays

If you’re a lawyer who is using Word and saving files in OneDrive or SharePoint, here is a Public Service Announcement by Barron Henley: be cautious about the “AutoSave files stored in the Cloud by default in Word” feature. Here’s why:

The Issue: Imagine you’re working on a new document based on an old form or template? You open the old version, make some changes, and then click “File > Save As” to give it a new name or location.

The Problem: If AutoSave is turned on, it automatically saves your initial changes on top of the original file. So, your template gets overwritten, and you’re left with a wrecked document. It doesn’t wait for you to click “File > Save As.”

The Solution: To avoid this, turn off AutoSave for files you want to save manually. Here’s how:

• In Word, click the File menu.
• Go to Options.
• Select Save.
• Uncheck the box that says, “AutoSave OneDrive and SharePoint Online files by default in Word.”
• Restart Word for the changes to take effect.

Remember, this setting is separate from the AutoSave button on the Quick Access Toolbar. Stay in control of your templates! 📝✨