OS X Mavericks: Create and save documents

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Create and save documents

Create a new document or save a document at any time. Many apps save your documents automatically as you work. If your app doesn’t autosave, it’s a good idea to save documents frequently.

Create a document

In the app, choose File > New.

The menu command may include the item you’re creating, such as New Database or New Spreadsheet.

Save a document

In apps that autosave documents, documents are saved automatically as you make changes. However, you can choose File > Save at any time to save a specific version or to name the document.

In some apps, such as TextEdit and Preview, you can save documents directly to iCloud so they’re available on all your devices set up with iCloud. To save documents to iCloud, the iCloud Documents & Data feature must be turned on.

Set up iCloud Documents & Data

  1. Choose File > Save, then name the document.
  2. Add any tags.

    Tag files and folders with colors and labels

  3. Choose where to save the document from the Where menu.

    You can choose iCloud or a folder on your Mac. If you don’t see the folder you want, click the downward-pointing triangle.

  4. Set any other options, then click Save.

If you save your document to iCloud, you can still edit it even when you’re not connected to the Internet.

Save a copy of a document

In most apps, the File menu has either a Duplicate or Save As command. Do one of the following:

  • Choose File > Duplicate to copy the document, then choose File > Save to name the copy.
  • Choose File > Save As, then name the new document.

Move a saved document to iCloud

In some apps, such as TextEdit and Preview, you can save documents directly to iCloud or move saved documents from your Mac to iCloud. To move documents to iCloud, the iCloud Documents & Data feature must be turned on.

Set up iCloud Documents & Data

  1. Choose File > Move To.
  2. Choose iCloud from the pop- up menu, then click Move.

iCloud documents are available on all your devices set up with iCloud, and you can still edit them when you’re not connected to the Internet.

If you can’t save a document to iCloud

If you can’t save a new or edited document to iCloud, your iCloud storage space may be full. The saved document stays on your Mac, and is uploaded to iCloud when space is available.

To free up space, remove items you don’t need to store in iCloud. You can also upgrade your storage.

Manage iCloud storage

Remove a document from iCloud

Move a document from iCloud to a folder on your Mac. Removing a document from iCloud deletes it from iCloud and from your other devices set up with iCloud.

  1. Choose File > Move To.
  2. Choose a folder on your Mac, then click Move.
Last Modified: Oct 20, 2015
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