Software⏱️ 4 min read📅 2026-06-11

How to Fix: Error while saving a shared Excel spreadsheet: "Errors were detected while saving...."

Error while saving a shared Excel spreadsheet: "Errors were detected while saving...."

Quick Answer: Try saving the file to a different location, such as a network drive or a local folder, and then share it again.

Error while saving a shared Excel spreadsheet: 'Errors were detected while saving....'

I get the following error on my shared Excel spreadsheet when saving:

Errors were detected while saving ""server......" Microsoft Excel may be able to save the file by removing or repairing some features. To make repairs in a new file, click Continue. To cancel saving the file, click Cancel.

I have a file on a network location and I'm using a thin client and RDP. All users accessing the file are also on thin clients. The need for sharing is that many users may update the file concurrently and need to see the results of others' updates rapidly.

I've seen mention of this error being caused by the network / remote access and how Excel saves temp files using the local directory, which may not be accessible by the network users. Has anyone come across this problem and know a solution or workaround for this?

💡 Why You Are Getting This Error

  • The primary reason for this error is that Excel saves temporary files in the user's local directory, which can be inaccessible to network users.
  • An alternative cause could be issues with the network connection or RDP configuration, which may prevent Excel from accessing the shared file location.

🚀 How to Resolve This Issue

Using a Network Location as the Save Directory

  1. Step 1: To resolve this issue, try saving the Excel spreadsheet in a network location. Right-click on the file and select 'Save As'. In the 'Save as type' field, choose 'Network location'. This will allow Excel to save the file in a directory that is accessible by all users on the network.
  2. Step 2: Alternatively, you can also use the 'Excel Options' dialog box to set the default save location. Open Excel and go to 'File' > 'Options' > 'Save'. In the 'Save' section, click on 'Network location' and select the desired directory.
  3. Step 3: If saving directly to a network location is not feasible, you can try using the 'Save As' dialog box with the 'Local' option selected. This will allow Excel to save temporary files in a local directory that may be more accessible.

Configuring RDP and Thin Client Settings

  1. Step 1: To troubleshoot this issue, check your RDP configuration to ensure that it is set up correctly for network access. Make sure that the 'Remote Desktop' option is enabled on the server-side.
  2. Step 2: Additionally, configure your thin client to use a local directory for temporary files. You can do this by going to the thin client's control panel and setting the 'Temporary Files' directory to a local location.
  3. Step 3: If you are using a third-party RDP software or thin client configuration tool, refer to its documentation for specific instructions on configuring these settings.

✨ Wrapping Up

To summarize, the error 'Errors were detected while saving' can be resolved by saving Excel spreadsheets in a network location or configuring your RDP and thin client settings to allow access to local directories. By following these steps, you should be able to resolve this issue and save your shared Excel spreadsheet successfully.

Did this fix your problem?

If not, try searching for specific error codes.

🔍 Search Error Database

❓ Frequently Asked Questions