Saving an Excel workbook in two locations gives you a backup if the original file is accidentally deleted, damaged, or stored on a failed drive.

The best method depends on what you need:

• A one-time second copy: use Excel’s Save a Copy or Save As feature.
• A simple extra local copy: use an add-in such as SaveInTwoPlaces.
• Automatic backups to multiple destinations: use backup software or a dedicated Office file protection tool.

Excel does not provide one universal “save and mirror this file everywhere” command for every local, network, and cloud destination. However, you can create a reliable two-location workflow with the methods below.

Quick answer

To save an Excel file to two locations:

1. Save the original workbook to its primary folder.
2. Use File > Save a Copy or File > Save As to create a second copy in another folder, drive, or network location.
3. If you need this to happen automatically, use an add-in, a carefully configured macro, or dedicated backup software.

For occasional backups, Excel’s built-in save options are enough. For automatic copies while you work, you need a separate workflow because Excel does not natively mirror every save to multiple destinations.

Which method should you use?

The most important question is whether you need a one-time duplicate or an automatic backup after each save.

Method 1: Save a copy to a second location

This is the simplest and safest method when you only need to create another copy occasionally.

How to save an Excel workbook to another location

1. Open the workbook in Excel.
2. Select File.
3. Choose Save a Copy or Save As, depending on your version of Excel.
4. Select the second location.
5. Enter a different file name if necessary.
6. Select Save.

The second location could be:

• Another folder on the same computer.
• An external hard drive.
• A USB drive.
• A network folder.
• A NAS.
• A OneDrive or SharePoint folder.
• Another approved cloud-synchronization folder.

Microsoft explains that Office can save a copy to a different location while leaving the original available. The exact menu wording may vary between Excel versions.

Important limitation

This method creates a second copy at the time you use it. It does not continue copying future changes automatically.

If you edit the original workbook later, the second copy will not update unless you save or copy it again.

When this method is appropriate

Use Excel’s built-in save options when:

• You need a backup before making a major change.
• You want to send a copy to another person.
• You are preparing a workbook for archiving.
• You only need a second copy occasionally.
• You do not want to install an add-in or maintain a macro.

For important files, avoid treating two folders on the same physical drive as a complete backup. If that drive fails, both copies may become unavailable.

Method 2: Use a save-to-two-locations add-in

If you frequently need to save an Excel workbook to a primary folder and one additional local folder, an add-in can reduce repetitive manual work.

One example is the SaveInTwoPlaces add-in by Graham Mayor. The add-in is designed to create an additional local copy when you save a Word or Excel file.

You can find the developer’s information here:

SaveInTwoPlaces add-in

How this type of add-in works

The general workflow is:

1. Install the add-in according to the developer’s instructions.
2. Open Excel and configure the additional destination.
3. Save the workbook using the add-in’s save command.
4. Excel saves the main workbook and creates an additional copy.

The exact installation and configuration steps can change, so follow the current instructions provided by the developer.

Advantages

• Easier than writing VBA.
• Useful for a primary file and one extra local copy.
• Suitable for users who do not need several destinations.
• Avoids maintaining custom code.

Limitations

Before using any add-in for important workbooks, confirm:

• Whether it supports your version of Excel.
• Whether it works with .xlsx, .xlsm, and other file formats.
• Whether the second copy is overwritten or versioned.
• Whether it supports network paths or NAS locations.
• What happens if the second location is unavailable.
• Whether it works when several users edit the same workbook.
• Whether your organization allows Office add-ins or macros.

A second copy is helpful, but it is not necessarily the same as a complete backup system. It may not protect against accidental overwriting, ransomware, synchronization conflicts, or failure of the device containing both copies.

Method 3: Use VBA to create an automatic backup copy

A VBA macro can create a copy of the active workbook in a second location. This can be useful for users who need a custom workflow and understand how to test and maintain macros.

However, VBA is more technical than the first two methods. A poorly configured macro can overwrite files, create conflicts, fail silently, or schedule repeated tasks unnecessarily.

Before using VBA

Make sure that:

• The workbook is saved in a macro-enabled format such as .xlsm.
• Macros are permitted by your organization.
• The backup folder already exists.
• The backup destination is trusted.
• You test the macro with a non-critical workbook.
• The backup file has a different path from the original.
• You understand how to stop scheduled tasks if the macro uses timed events.

Do not place passwords, SMTP credentials, API keys, or other sensitive information directly in a macro.

Basic manual backup macro

The following example creates a copy of the active workbook in a predefined backup folder when you run the macro.

1. Sub SaveBackupCopy()
2. Dim BackupFolder As String
   Dim BackupFile As String
3. BackupFolder = “C:\ExcelBackups\”
4. If ThisWorkbook.Path = “” Then
   MsgBox “Save the workbook before creating a backup copy.”, vbExclamation
   Exit Sub
   End If
5. If Dir(BackupFolder, vbDirectory) = “” Then
   MsgBox “The backup folder does not exist: ” & BackupFolder, vbExclamation
   Exit Sub
   End If
6. ThisWorkbook.Save
7. BackupFile = BackupFolder & ThisWorkbook.Name
   ThisWorkbook.SaveCopyAs BackupFile
8. MsgBox “Backup copy created:” & vbCrLf & BackupFile, vbInformation
9. End Sub

How to add the macro

1. Open the workbook in Excel.
2. Press Alt + F11.
3. Select Insert > Module.
4. Paste the code into the module.
5. Change the BackupFolder value to a folder that exists.
6. Save the workbook as an .xlsm file.
7. Return to Excel.
8. Run SaveBackupCopy from the Macro dialog.

This macro creates a backup copy when you run it. It does not automatically run after every save.

Why timed VBA backups need caution

A timed macro can use Application.OnTime to run again after a specified interval. However, a repeating schedule requires additional code to:

• Start the schedule.
• Store the next scheduled time.
• Prevent duplicate schedules.
• Cancel the schedule when the workbook closes.
• Handle errors.
• Check whether the workbook is already being saved.
• Avoid overwriting a backup that is open elsewhere.

For that reason, a timed macro should be tested carefully before being used with business-critical files.

VBA limitations

VBA may not be suitable when:

• Macros are blocked by your organization.
• The workbook is shared with users who do not enable macros.
• The backup location is sometimes offline.
• You need several destinations.
• You require versioned backups.
• You need reliable background operation.
• You want support without maintaining code.

VBA is flexible, but flexibility also means that you are responsible for maintenance, testing, and recovery when something goes wrong.

Automatic backups to multiple locations

If your requirement is to save an Excel workbook automatically to a local folder, NAS, external drive, and cloud destination, consider using a dedicated backup or automatic-save solution.

This is different from Excel’s built-in Save As feature. The software may monitor your Office files or integrate with the Office workflow and create additional copies according to its configuration.

What to check before choosing a solution

Look for clear answers to these questions:

• Does it support Excel and your Office version?
• Can it save to local folders?
• Can it save to NAS or network paths?
• Can it use external drives?
• Can it work with approved cloud folders?
• Can it create more than one backup copy?
• Does it preserve previous versions?
• Can you choose the save interval?
• What happens when a destination is offline?
• Does it show an error if a backup fails?
• How are duplicate filenames handled?
• Is the data encrypted during transfer?
• Where are configuration and log files stored?
• Can you restore a previous copy easily?

Do not assume that “automatic saving” means “complete backup.” A useful backup system should make it clear whether it creates versions, overwrites files, reports failures, and protects against destination problems.

Is SOS Click suitable for this workflow?

SOS Click is one possible option for users who want to protect Office files while keeping copies in more than one location.

It may be worth evaluating if you need:

• Local and network backup destinations.
• Multiple copies of an Office file.
• Automatic saving at a configured interval.
• A workflow that does not depend exclusively on OneDrive.
• Less manual work than a VBA solution.

The product details should be confirmed against the current release before publication or purchase. In particular, verify:

• Supported operating systems.
• Supported Excel and Office versions.
• Supported local, network, and cloud destinations.
• The actual number of destinations.
• Available save intervals.
• Whether backup copies are versioned.
• How failed or offline destinations are handled.
• Current trial and licensing terms.

SOS Click does not turn Excel’s native AutoSave switch into a multi-location mirror. It provides a separate workflow for creating additional automatic copies.

If your files must remain local or on a NAS and you want more automation than Excel’s built-in save and recovery features provide, review the compatibility details before deciding whether it fits your workflow.

Comparing the three approaches

A practical backup recommendation

For many Excel users, a sensible approach is:

1. Keep the working file in its normal primary location.
2. Create a second copy on a different physical device or approved network destination.
3. Use OneDrive or SharePoint when cloud collaboration and version history are appropriate.
4. Configure AutoRecover in Excel.
5. For critical workbooks, use a backup solution that retains previous versions.
6. Test restoring a copy before you need it.

Two copies are better than one, but two copies stored on the same physical drive may not protect you from drive failure.

Final answer

The simplest way to save an Excel file to two locations is to use File > Save a Copy or File > Save As. If you need repeated automatic copies, use an add-in, VBA, or dedicated backup software.

Choose the method based on your actual requirement:

• Occasional copy: Excel’s built-in save options.
• Simple local duplicate: A trusted add-in.
• Custom automation: VBA, if you can maintain it.
• Multiple destinations and less manual work: A dedicated backup or automatic-save application.