How to convince Microsoft Office apps to save files on your Mac

By default, Microsoft Office apps—Word, Excel, and PowerPoint—try to save files on Microsoft OneDrive as a way of promoting the company’s cloud storage. OneDrive is a great service for those who need it. It allows you to share documents and simultaneously edit them with collaborators. But if you don't need that service, you can easily keep your files locally on your Mac or in a different cloud storage location.

When you go to save a file, look at the Save dialog box. Here’s the key: click the On My Mac button to switch to a standard Save dialog showing all your other storage options. This allows you to save directly to your Mac’s drive, an external drive, or a different cloud service you’ve set up.

One limitation to keep in mind is that there’s no way to make On My Mac the default location. However, the good news is that Office apps usually remember the last place you saved a file. This means that, for most of us, you’ll only need to make this switch once in a while. That said, be aware that after some updates, Microsoft Office might reset the Save dialog back to OneDrive. If that happens, simply repeat the process to switch back.

But what if you've already saved many files to OneDrive and want to move them to your computer? The easiest solution may be to start using the OneDrive Mac app, which adds your OneDrive files to Finder. If you want to move them, you can easily drag and drop them in Finder. Remember that if the files are shared with others, they may lose access.

OneDrive is just one of several cloud storage services that are commonly used. Competitors include iCloud Drive, Google Drive, DropBox, and Box. They all operate similarly, but each has nuances and unique features. Generally, the best one to pick is the one that other people you collaborate with use.

By taking this small step, you can regain control of where your files are stored, keeping your workflow smooth and your documents in the location that works best for you.

(Featured image based on an original by iStock.com/pzAxe)