How to Save a File With a Different Name

Saving a file with a different name enables you to keep your original file while creating an identical copy. You can modify the copy as you wish, but the original file remains intact so you can use it for other purposes. These instructions should work for most operating systems and applications.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Microsoft Windows

1. Open the original file, or create and save a new file.

2. Open the File menu and choose Save As.

3. In the box that appears, change the file name to something else. For example, if your original file is named "bird.doc" you might name the copy "bird2.doc."

4. Choose a location to save the file to.

5. Click the Save button. Your open file will now have the new name that you gave it. Your original file will exist with its original name wherever you originally saved it.

Tips & Warnings

• In addition to changing the file name, you can also save your file in various file formats. For example, you may want to save your file as plain ASCII text or as a different version of Word or WordPerfect than you are currently using so that other people can use the file in different programs. Click the Save As Type field to view the list of options available.

• Avoid changing the three-letter file extension that comes at the end of the file name on a PC. The three-letter extension should change only if you are changing the file format. For example, birds.doc should only be changed to birds.txt if you have converted the file to a text format. Mac users are not required to use file extensions.