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When a Word document I haven't saved in over an hour stops responding. (imgur.com)

submitted ago by gamerwithnoname

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[–]tremens 137 points138 points ago

1 - Click the File tab.

2 - Click Options.

3 - Click Save.

4 - Make sure the Save AutoRecover information every x minutes check box is selected.

5 - In Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, make sure the Keep the last autosaved version if I close without saving check box is selected.

[–]jakemyers7 25 points26 points ago

what is this magic you speak of

[–]CoolOppo 46 points47 points ago

It's on automatically...Have you really never used autorecover? It's almost like you never wrote a paper.

[–]krizutch 22 points23 points ago

Google Drive (docs) and be done with it.

[–]3alrus3 10 points11 points ago

Praise Google!

[–]fick_Dich 6 points7 points ago

Shhh. They're listening

[–]3alrus3 5 points6 points ago

I cannot be silenced!

[–]CoolOppo 0 points1 point ago

The problem with that is that they are lacking in quite a few areas. Their spell check for example is nothing compared to the contextual spelling, grammar, and style checking built right into Word.

[–]BelmontMild 3 points4 points ago

Since it seems that you have a solid grasp on how MS Word works, I am having trouble with my Word and am wondering if you could help me out.

Whenever I have a bullet list or numbered list going for taking notes, and I press tab to change the tier of the bullets, it nolonger does it, and literally just gives me a space (the amount of a normal tab length in a non-bullet line).

I've resorted to using google docs to take notes but this is unreliable as I don't always have internet during lecture.

Edit: Thank you you magnificent bastards!!!!!!!!! I have no idea how I turned off that checkbox in the first place and I've tried to google it but I must suck at googling

[–]glowdirt 6 points7 points ago

Dude, I've got this. It's buried deep.

  1. Click File tab
  2. Click Options
  3. Click Proofing
  4. Click the "AutoCorrect Options" buttons
  5. Click the "AutoFormat As You Type" tab
  6. Make sure the "Set left- and first-indent with tabs and backspaces" option is checked
  7. Press OK
  8. Press OK

I don't know why they make this so hard. I was so pissed when they changed it.

[–]Viscerae 5 points6 points ago

Yahoo Answers to the rescue!

shocker, I know

[–]Antrikshy 1 point2 points ago

Y! Answers is like reddit. Parts of it are shit and parts of it are really good. They have categories, like our subreddits.

[–]zants 1 point2 points ago

Wow, I had mine set all the way to 10 minutes apparently, that was ballsy. I've set it to 2 minutes now.

For people interested in doing it themselves, for Office 2007: Office Button (top left corner) > On the menu that opens, 'Word Options' button (bottom-right) > On the window the opens, 'Save' tab.

Also you can change the color of the window and stuff, sweet.

Unrelated:

I'm trying to figure out what's been up with my Word lately as well. A few weeks ago I tried opening a document, then last-second realized I didn't need to see it so I forced it to close before it could open the document. Now Word will sometimes randomly not open if I've had my computer on for too long (e.g. if I haven't shut down/restarted in the past day, it can't open), I'm not sure how those two events are related but apparently they somehow are. I mean, I assume I understand what's happening (Word thought that it had crashed when I forced it to close and it's trying to open the last-saved copy of the document, which never existed and the document itself doesn't exist as I deleted it), so a lot of problems there, but it's weird how leaving my computer on for too long would play a part in this....

[–]sharkattax 0 points1 point ago

Mine saves every 2 minutes. Likely overkill but it soothes my anxiety.

[–]JDMcWombat 52 points53 points ago

If it was only a page, you could take a screen shot and retype it with ease.

[–]Asks_Politely 36 points37 points ago

Oh fuck, I never thought of that. That's brilliant.

[–][deleted] ago

[deleted]

[–]Asks_Politely 14 points15 points ago

I'm reporting you since you didn't type in blue.

[–]SOPA_NO 3 points4 points ago

Are we gonna have to call a doctor to get that stick removed?

EDIT: OOOOOOOHHHHH, the username.

[–]Dvdrummer360 3 points4 points ago

http://i.imgur.com/aQZHy.gif

[–]justaredherring 3 points4 points ago

Because re-writing from memory is faster? O_o

[–]Johnno74 1 point2 points ago

Of, open microsoft office document imaging (If you have it installed - its not installed with office by default), paste or open your screenshot and select "Recognise text using OCR"

Then you can copy and paste the text back into word. Proofread tho, its not 100% perfect...

[–]HashtagKony2013 30 points31 points ago

Serious question, why does this affect people so much? I've had power outages/crashes at very inconvenient times myself, but that automatic document recovery thing Word has has worked every time so far.

[–]Darklyte 10 points11 points ago

default autosave time is 10 minutes which can still mean a lot of data lost especially if you were in the zone.

[–]Nesilwoof 4 points5 points ago

Auto zone!

[–]Jonny_Stranger 1 point2 points ago

I resent nothing more than an ad that sticks in my head. It's like, fuck off bitch. A bunch of suits in a board room shouldn't be able to reprogram my brain like this. It sucks to see they got you too.

[–]smurftheburn 1 point2 points ago

I lose work fairly regularly, Autorecover will get it back about 1/3 times.

[–]brianbrianbrian 0 points1 point ago

You should probably defragment, repair/reinstall, and save more often.

[–]clonekiller 0 points1 point ago

100% of the time for me! :D

[–]CoolOppo 4 points5 points ago

Yep, especially when you set it to save every minute if you're paranoid like me!

[–][deleted] ago

[deleted]

[–]JIMMY_RUSTLES_PHD 4 points5 points ago

MS Word has a shit load of advanced features that Google Drive doesn't.

[–]Vithar 0 points1 point ago

I like google drive, and I use it as often as I can justify, but sadly for work that just is not very often. It simple does not do enough, for word documents its like comparing word pad to MS word. and spread sheets are just sad. Seriously, no iterative formulas, fuck you Google.

[–]IPretendToPlayGuitar 13 points14 points ago

Not saving for over an hour? Nigga, you went full retard.

[–]ras344 1 point2 points ago

Seriously, I press ctrl+s after like every sentence I type.

[–]kingoflurk 5 points6 points ago

Prt-scr that bitch!!

[–]Scarfall 22 points23 points ago

Google Docs + Drive interaction works too damn well for me to go back to Office.

[–]MegaZambam 3 points4 points ago

I have no need of Google Docs on my computer, but my dad recently got a Chromebook and it's pretty great on there. I just wish there was a way to import download files in the older Office file types like .doc

[–]Scarfall 6 points7 points ago

I believe you can do that.

[–]MegaZambam 2 points3 points ago

Not anymore. I just checked to make sure.

Maybe it was because I used the wrong phrasing. Rather than "import" I meant "download"

[–]WardenOfTheGrey 2 points3 points ago

Nope, you still can (I just checked). Go to file then download as then .doc. It's still there.

[–]MegaZambam 2 points3 points ago

I just checked too. I'm not seeing it

[–]AdamLynch 4 points5 points ago

.doc = .docx

It's just a matter of doc is 2007, and docx is 2010.

[–]con247 5 points6 points ago

.docx is 2007 and later, not 2010 and later.

[–]AdamLynch 2 points3 points ago

My bad. I haven't used 2007 in years, forgot what it was capable of saving.

[–]MegaZambam 4 points5 points ago

But they aren't the same thing. .docx is a newer file extension. I was specifically saying I wanted the older one which is .doc. My mom's work computer can't open .docx so I was trying to find a way to download the file in .doc.

[–]YummyMeatballs 5 points6 points ago

Just FYI older versions of Office can get conversion software that automatically turns docx in to regular old doc. FileFormatConverters is what you're looking for. Should be hosted on Microsoft's site somewhere.

[–]Antrikshy 0 points1 point ago

Not really the same, but in this case, pretty similar. I think .docx can have some advanced formatting such as newer equations, SmartArt etc. that the old one can't.

[–]WardenOfTheGrey 0 points1 point ago

No idea why, here's a screenshot of what I see.

[–]MegaZambam 2 points3 points ago

That's really weird. Doesn't make much sense to only make it available for some people.

[–]WardenOfTheGrey 0 points1 point ago

It's been a couple months since they changed the name from docs to drive so I don't completely remember, but was there an option not to switch to Drive? If there was and you stuck with Docs then you might want to try using Google Drive instead because that's what I use.

[–]Boston_Jason 0 points1 point ago

.doc master race checking in.

[–]Viscerae 0 points1 point ago

Oh god, not using MSE?

shudders

[–]lolipopfailure 1 point2 points ago

I did this just two days ago. I had .doc and .docx both available. Someone is getting cheeky. edit just checked. Here's the screenshot I just took [http://imgur.com/USadt]

[–]VoteJewbama 11 points12 points ago

Know someone who lost sixty-some pages of their dissertation because they didn't save. Now I save every other sentence.

[–]ronintetsuro 41 points42 points ago

With all due respect to your 'someone', not saving in sixty pages is not a very smart thing to do.

[–]PaullyDee19 36 points37 points ago

How the fuck could you even manage to put together 60 pages in one shot. Did they just never close their word program in like a month?

[–]KingKidd 4 points5 points ago

12 pages/minute if it auto-saves every 5....that's some impressive WPM.

[–]VoteJewbama 5 points6 points ago

Fully agreed.

[–]theidlecapitalist 16 points17 points ago

For me every click in After Effects results in a save. Click Ctrl+S Click Ctrl+S Click Ctrl+S Click Ctrl+S

[–]jonathanrdt 16 points17 points ago

I have a ctrl+s reflex in all apps.

Every change, ctrl+s.

No excuse for lost work.

[–]Mephistophanes 6 points7 points ago

I can think of a way.

While trying to save a document in MathCad it crashed and i lost my document.

[–]sentimentalpirate 0 points1 point ago

Same. And as a gamer, my elft hand tends to rest touching control (or command) and 's' at any given time anyway.

[–]ILikeLeptons 0 points1 point ago

it's bad if you get this working in emacs, GOD DAMN IT I DIDN'T WANT TO CUT THAT OUT AND THEN SAVE FUCKING WORD

[–]Kancer86 1 point2 points ago

Wow! Someone went that long without saving? That seems almost impossible not to at that point. That is horrifying though, be glad you learned through someone else's mistake

[–]Antrikshy 1 point2 points ago

Sixty pages? Hmm. AutoRecover saves every ten minutes.

[–]honmamichin 3 points4 points ago

As a professional writer; how do you not automatically ctrl+s whenever you pause to think of what to write next? And have everything in Dropbox? Synching constantly? Seriously, there is just no excuse for losing more than a couple of sentences in a crash.

[–]netgod2002 0 points1 point ago

How does one sync to a drop box?

[–]bobber205 2 points3 points ago

Who the fuck doesn't save every few sentences? A quick Ctrl-S. I bet this situation only happens to people who refuse/more often don't know the keyboard shortcuts.

[–]PR05ECC0 17 points18 points ago

Google docs has saved my A$$ many times. I never use anything else now.

[–]OneHandedDateRapist 44 points45 points ago

You can say ass on the internet, you know...

[–]HashtagKony2013 15 points16 points ago

You can say ass in most places, really

[–]Talrynf 9 points10 points ago

ass

[–]FRiskManager15 7 points8 points ago

ass

[–]curt_schilli 10 points11 points ago

Stop. Now make that mother fucker hammer time.

[–]FRiskManager15 3 points4 points ago

ass

[–]Antrikshy 0 points1 point ago

Penis.

[–]PaullyDee19 6 points7 points ago

Maybe he meant it also saved him money? Freelance writer?

[–]nstarz 5 points6 points ago

I use Google Docs for the autosave and also so that I don't have to "Send to USB, unplug, go to next computer, open My Computer, etc etc" to open it on to another computer.

[–]PR05ECC0 1 point2 points ago

I started using it 2 years ago and never looked back. I write all my papers and take notes on there. It's also much easier to collaborate on docs. I especially like how everyone can work on a doc at the same time while chatting in the same window.

[–]--jim-- 1 point2 points ago

I just toss everything in my SkyDrive. Web based MS Office > Google Docs.

[–]nstarz 0 points1 point ago

Cool. I'll try them out.

[–]formatlostmypw 0 points1 point ago

whaaa?

[–]Khiraji 0 points1 point ago

It's okay, you can say ASS here.

[–]PR05ECC0 1 point2 points ago

Sorry :/ I guess I'm preconditioned to use $$ from years on other forums

[–]Daniellynet 0 points1 point ago

I save all my documents in Dropbox.

[–]Miuw202 2 points3 points ago

SESO, save early save often. I have lost so much work because of SolidWorks just shitting itself constantly

[–]Teamben 0 points1 point ago

I'll be putting in a complex surface into my Pro/e model and it'll handle it like a champ. But as soon as I try to put a round on a simple corner, Pro/e says fffffffuuuuuuuuuuuu and closes instantly.

[–][deleted] ago

[deleted]

[–]kittypuppet 2 points3 points ago

Accidental double post, might want to take care of that. (Don't worry, that problem's been around for a while too)

[–]irrationalexhuberous 2 points3 points ago

I think it's mind boggling for a text editor to have stability issues.

[–]MisterDonkey 2 points3 points ago

Automatic recovery...

Reopening word and seeing that sidebar is like having your boss sternly call you into their office and give you a raise.

[–]gummybearsnscotch 2 points3 points ago

I would recommend upgrading to Microsoft Word 98 or later

[–]SlackerSC 2 points3 points ago

Whenever this comes up I always have to mention Latex. If you do any sort of serious technical writing it's really a great option. Uses plaintext markup files to create professional quality PDF documents.

Use a text editor that autosaves. Use a VSC or remote backup of your projects. Enjoy never losing any work ever again.

[–]artoonie 2 points3 points ago

VIM PLUS LATEX YEAAAHH BOIIII #brogrammers

[–]hornsofdestruction 1 point2 points ago

I had some feels for you on that one. I have almost hurled my laptop through a window a few times because of this.

[–]mongzords -1 points0 points ago

This is why I do all my word processing on google drive.

[–]Khiraji 0 points1 point ago

Set your auto-save frequency to 1 minute and forget about it. Even when I don't Save As, Word keeps a copy of the document for a little while in the event that I make a huge mistake.

[–]love-from-london 1 point2 points ago

I've been burned before, so in every program I use I hit save compulsively every couple of minutes. "Oh, I haven't saved in a whole two minutes!" -cmd+s-

[–]Stregano 0 points1 point ago

What is worse is when I am compiling something big at work, and then the ide freezes and then I have no idea what broke, which really fucking sucks (it has only happened once, but it took me about 3 days to track down the issue)

[–]Justice502 1 point2 points ago

This is one of the best gifs ever.

[–]phaily 0 points1 point ago

I thought it said World War I. Took me a while.

[–]abasss 0 points1 point ago

I read it in his voice. Robert Downey JR. playing Kirk Lazarus playing a black guy's voice I mean.

[–]kittypuppet 0 points1 point ago

Ctrl+S

[–]goldenrod 0 points1 point ago

Its like that with photoshop.

[–]skzerk 0 points1 point ago

I start yelling NO NO NO NO NO!

[–]NoctGent 0 points1 point ago

Friend of mine got on the cast of survivor. This is the first thing I posted to her facebook wall.

[–]ncktwt 0 points1 point ago

tell 'em mckusky, tell 'em what time it is!

[–]Bingoradar 0 points1 point ago

lol repost

[–]anoxy 0 points1 point ago

Ah, the beauty of the cloud. I use pages and iCloud. Never lose a thing.

[–]BitchinTechnology 1 point2 points ago

You are a filthy lying whore. If you save once autosave kicks in. Quit lying for karma

[–]MrMono1 1 point2 points ago

Dude, ctrl+s.

[–]mariam67 0 points1 point ago

I do that when the Sims 3 freezes up and I realize I haven't saved in a while and since then my sims have had a baby and two promotions.

[–]pjk246 0 points1 point ago

I'm literally working on a 20 page report right now that I probably haven't saved in like 2-3 hours........ thanks for the reminder!

[–]Tsunami3000 0 points1 point ago

Imagine you are writing your album in guitar pro 6, and everything crashes in the middle of a giant gap after changing little things where it was finally perfection.

Probably wouldnt happen if i owned guitar pro 6........

[–]Byronnnnn 0 points1 point ago

This movie is magical

[–]bracketdash 0 points1 point ago

Who uses Word anymore?

[–]ErickGuif50 0 points1 point ago

I just noticed how this guy is Robert Downey Jr.

Literally after lots of times looking at this guy, I discover that he is RDJ.

[–]Electroverted 1 point2 points ago

If only Word had some sort of recovery feature

[–]Blink182ismeh 0 points1 point ago

When I'm driving home and my phone battery is at 1%

[–]walking_luggage 0 points1 point ago

As a programmer, I noticed that most of my time is spent saving documents. I can see it on the keyboard too, save shortcut keys being the first to go.

[–]underwatr_cheestrain 0 points1 point ago

I've said it before and I'll say it again. The fact that Robert Downey jr didn't win an Oscar for this film is a travesty!

[–]lotusislandx 0 points1 point ago

You mean to tell me AutoRecover has been a thing for 6 years, and you've been needlessly losing documents this whole time... oh man. all the feels. someone give this man one of their three installs of word 2007.

[–]ragnaroketh 1 point2 points ago

The way I normally write something:

tapity-tap blah blah blah. Oh look, I've reached the end of a sentence.

CRTL-S!

tapity-tap, etc.

[–]colliemayne -1 points0 points ago

Or use google docs and it'll save for you.

source: i work for google

nah not really

[–]Kratzyyy -1 points0 points ago

I'm sick of these posts.

Ctrl+S exists for a reason, there's no excuse.

[–]RarRarBinks -2 points-1 points ago

MFW my parents' Windows 2000 stops responding.

[–]prettyqweet -2 points-1 points ago

I really laughed out loud on that one.

[–]_sevennine_ 0 points1 point ago

Why would you work on a document for over an hour without saving? You deserve what you get for taking that risk.

[–]BCP6J9YqYF6xDbB3 1 point2 points ago

Hell, I don't even hit 'save' on Reddit without doing a Ctrl-A Ctrl-C first, just in case there's a problem submitting the comment.

[–]_sevennine_ 0 points1 point ago

No kidding, I've gotten to the point that whenever I pause for a split second I do a quick CTRL+S. I'd rather over save than lose work.

[–]throwaway_for_keeps 0 points1 point ago

No sympathy. It's called "save" and not "archive for posterity" for a reason.