How to Fix Errors Detected While Saving in MS Excel

Step 1: Tweak the Registry Settings

Modify your system registry to resolve the saving error by following these detailed steps:

Step 1A: Press the Start button and type “ registry “.

Step 1B: Click on “ Registry Editor ” from the search results.

Step 1C: Navigate to:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office.[Version]\Excel\Options

Note: “[Version]” will depend on your installed Office version.

Step 1D: Select the “ Options ” key.

Step 1E: Right-click in the right pane and select “ New> “, then choose “ DWORD (32-bit) Value “.

Step 1F: Name this new value “ FullLoadImagesOnFileLoad “.

Step 1G: Double-click the new value to edit it and set its value to “ 1 “.

Step 1H: Click “ OK ” to save your changes.

Pro Tip: Always back up your registry before making changes.

After applying this setting, restart your computer and then attempt to save your changes in Excel again.

Step 2: Transfer Content to a New Sheet

If the current Excel spreadsheet is problematic, you can transfer its contents to a fresh sheet as a potential fix.

Step 2A: With your document open, press Ctrl + A to select everything.

Step 2B: Follow it up by pressing Ctrl + C to copy the content.

Step 2C: Go to “ File ” in the top menu.

Step 2D: Click “ New “, then select “ Blank document “.

Step 2E: Paste the copied data into the new sheet by pressing Ctrl + V.

Step 2F: Finally, save the new document. Although this is a workaround, it can be invaluable when time is of the essence.

Step 3: Utilize the VBA Module

If errors persist in your Visual Basic module, follow these steps to troubleshoot:

Step 3A: Press Alt + F11 to open the Visual Basic for Applications editor.

Step 3B: Click the “+” icon to expand the Visual Basic Project.

Step 3C: Select “ Tools ” and access “ References “.

Step 3D: Correct any errors present in the VBA code.

Step 3E: Save your changes and return to the Excel file to check if you can save successfully.

Step 4: Save Without Modifications

Try saving the Excel document without the recent changes. If you encounter saving difficulties, opt to discard the changes as referenced in this case:

While collaborating on an Excel sheet, discrepancies between your changes and others may prevent saving. In such a case, consider clicking “ Discard changes ” to proceed.

Step 5: Eliminate Any Visual Basic Modules

To ensure smooth functionality, consider removing unnecessary Visual Basic modules:

Step 5A: Navigate to the “ Developer ” tab.

Step 5B: Click on “ Visual Basic ” to open the editor.

Step 5C: Remove any modules you deem unnecessary.

Finally, try saving the Excel file again to see if the issues persist.

Step 6: Repair the Excel File

If the file may be corrupt, follow these steps to repair it:

Step 6A: Launch MS Excel.

Step 6B: Navigate through: File > Open.

Step 6C: Click on “ Browse ” to select the file that needs repairing.

Step 6D: Select the file and open the dropdown menu to choose “ Open and repair “.

Excel will repair the file automatically. After that, try to save the document again.

Step 7: Modify the Office Application

In cases where the issue arises in a specific document:

Step 7A: Press the Windows + R keys to access the Run dialogue.

Step 7B: Enter appwiz.cpl to access the Programs & Features panel.

Step 7C: Locate the “ Microsoft Office ” application from the list.

Step 7D: Right-click the Office entry and choose “ Change “.

Step 7E: In the Office setup window, select “ Quick Repair “.

Step 7F: Proceed by clicking “ Repair “.

Wait for the repair process to complete, then verify if you can save changes made in Excel.

What does the error “Errors were detected while saving” mean?

Can I recover my unsaved Excel file?

How can I prevent this error from happening in the future?