Solved: Errors Were Detected While Saving Excel [2024]

Q: How do I correct the MS Excel error "errors were detected while saving" filename?

"I have some of excel files and I got an error while saving that says "Errors were detected while saving file name. Microsoft Excel may be able to save the file by removing or repairing some features. To make the repairs in a new file, click Continue. To cancel saving the file, click Cancel". I have searched for the problem and I found some solutions that say I have to reinstall office. Do you think this is the right solution?"

Microsoft Excel can pop up errors at you at the most unexpected times. For example, when you're trying to save a file. The option of closing a document just because Excel is unable to save it yet you have worked on it for hours can be painful. Especially in the extreme case that it can result in loss of data. So how can you deal with the "errors were detected while saving" error in the Excel application? Let us find out.

In this article

01 Part 1: What Causes Excel Errors Were Detected While Saving

02 Part 2: How to Fix Excel Errors Were Detected While Saving

03 Part 3: 3 Clicks to Fix Excel Errors After All Above Solutions Fail (for Corrupt Excel)

Part 1. What Causes Excel Errors Were Detected While Saving

Different technical hitches could be the cause of errors in your Excel 2022. On a general note, they are mostly temporary annoyances rather than apocalyptic errors. They can range from Excel bugs, network issues to anti-virus problems. Here we provide you with some of the main causes experienced by most Excel users.

Once the reason for the error is clear, it is an opportune time to sort the issue from the root cause. Continue reading to get some of the simple solutions you could take on to fix the Excel error.

Part 2. How to Fix Excel Errors Were Detected While Saving

If the Excel files you are experiencing errors with are of importance, then your priority is saving your data. This means that reinstalling Office is an option you do not want to consider at the moment.

First and foremost, we must point out that you need to first ensure that your actions aren't the cause of the problem. This includes small things such as trying to save a read-only file, using an invalid character in a filename or trying to save to a path that doesn't exist.

Once you can rule yourself out of the equation, then you can move on to the following options we have provided for you. We always recommend that you first try to save any changes that you may have in any open Excel workbooks before you start troubleshooting. The following sections include workarounds to save your workbooks.

#1: Install Hotfix Package

One way to fix your "excel errors were detected while saving" problem is to install the hotfix package. The disclaimer to this method is that as much as it comes highly recommended, it can be quite risky and cause a serious problem if one does not get a part of the registry right.

Before getting to it, we recommend that you make a complete backup of the system to prevent any issues in the future.

Follow the instructions given below to perform the hotfix package installation:

Firstly, click Start > Run. Type Regedit in the Open box > click OK.

Now, locate and select the following registry:

HKEY-CURRENT-USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\14.0\Excel\Options

The solution is quite easy. However, should anything go wrong with the registry, it may cost you more than you are already trying to save. In any case, you can repair any registry issues using the automatic Registry Repair Tool.

#2: Discard Changes and Save Excel File

Depending on the cause of the problem, you may be unable to recover the current file as-is. In this case, you can also take up our second solution to fix errors that were detected while saving Excel 2013.

It includes saving your data in a new Excel document or try to discard the changes and make repairs to the original document

#3: Save Data in New Excel Document

When it comes to saving the changes to your document, copy the worksheets you change to a new Excel document, and then save it.

#4: Delete any Visual Basic for Applications

The "errors were detected while saving excel 2016" can also be fixed by deleting the Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) projects from your document. It includes simply deleting the VBA project of your document. Then try saving the Excel 2013 files.

Hopefully, the provided manual solution will be handy in helping fix the Errors Detected While Saving Excel 2016. If it does not, then it would be worth making use of the automatic repair tool.

#5: How to Repair a Corrupted Excel Workbook

If you have an infected workbook on its opening, Microsoft Excel immediately launches the File Recovery mode to attempt to perform the workbook repair. This method is feasible for manually repairing a corrupt excel file where the File Recovery mode fails.

It is simple as shown in the below steps;

1. Click File > Open, on the open box, select the corrupted Excel workbook;

2. Go to the open button with the arrow next and select "Open and Repair".

3. Choose the Repair option to recover the data from the corrupted excel file.

Where file repair fails through the Repair option, go for the Extract Data option for extracting information and data from the excel file. In the case that the manual and automatic methods for repairing the excel files both fail then you are left with the option of recovering your data using an excel repair tool.

NB: The following methods may not save all the latest changes, formatting, and feature sets of the workbook that are specific to the version of Excel that you are using. The following methods are intended to let you obtain a usable, saved version of the file. These methods require you to save the file to your local hard disk by using a unique file name.

Part 3. 3 Clicks to Fix Excel Errors After All Above Solutions Fail (for Corrupt Excel)

When you've tried everything else and failed at getting rid of Excel saving errors, it is not the right time to panic. Your Microsoft Excel application might be experiencing issues or the file in question might be corrupted. For this instance, it is best to use the services of a reliable Excel repair application.

We recommend using Wondershare Repairit for such dire cases when all else has failed. The software is equipped with technically advanced algorithms that repair Excel files, making it the best choice to fix XLSX files. Once you have performed the repair on a corrupted Excel file, the software will restore the file contents including tables, charts, chart-sheets, cell comments, images, formulas, sorts, and filters to a new blank working Excel file which you can save easily.

Solutions that set apart the Wondershare Repairit software include:

The following instructions provide a simple step-by-step guide on how you can repair your error detected while saving issues using the Wondershare Repairit software.

1. Add File: Before repairing the corrupted Excel files, you will need to add them to the software. You can do this by clicking the “Add” option located in the “File” menu.

2. Repair file: Files that are to be added will need to be repaired on the system. Click on the 'Repair' option and in the dialog box that appears.

3. Preview: After the corrupted files have been scanned and repaired, you can preview them to see if they are restored to their original condition.

4. All files that are repaired need to be saved in a designated location. Choose it by clicking the 'Save' option located in the 'File' menu.

You May Also Read:

1. Fixed: Excel Not Enough Memory
2. How to Repair Corrupt Excel XLS/XLSX Files
3. Fixed: Excel Cannot Open The File Because of File Format
4. How to Fix Excel cannot open File Error

It's a Wrap

Wondershare Repairit is the best solution to take up when it comes down to combat the toughest of MS Excel problems. It is best advised to keep this product handy to ensure a smooth working experience of the application.

Other solutions may include;

1. Changing the excel file extension

2. Opening the excel file in safe mode

3. Disable automatic calculation

4. Open the corrupted workbook in WordPad or word

common for errors caused by macro virus infection or rather conflicting software. In this case, you could do two things; you could

i.) Save your document to another file format

ii.) Open file in the WordPad

Conclusion

Generally, it hurts and is a complete waste of time when you keep double-clicking a file, and what pops up is "errors were detected while saving". Hopefully, after reading this article, you can result in a solution to the "errors were detected while saving excel, no matter what version it is.

We performed our level best to provide you with fast and easy solutions to provide a backdrop to the errors and various solutions you can adapt to fix each. In case you have any additional methods that have worked for you or any questions about the ones we have presented; we would appreciate your feedback on the comment section.