This probably relates to ALL office documents, but ...

I'm using Office 2016 for Mac. When I "Save" a document, the save location is where I last saved a document, which may have nothing to do with what I'm working on. I find that annoying. I'd really like to just specify ONE default save location (like Desktop) such that, unless I specify otherwise, THAT is where it goes. Is that possible?

In Word click on 'File' tab then 'Options' at bottom left. Select the 'Save' option on left-hand side and look for 'Default local file location' on right. Click on the 'Browse' button next to it and then go to the place that you want files saved to by default. Click 'OK' and you're done.

Good answer, however, this setting will not override a recent save location in the same Word session. It will be active until you save something somewhere else.

When you open an existing document and use SaveAs, it will default to the location of the original document.

I expect a macro could be written to do this but do not feel confident to attempt one because the Mac file system is different.

I'm sorry, but in Mac Office 2016, those instructions don't work. No "Options" when you pull down on "File". If you go to "Preferences/Save" there is no "Default local file location" on right.

I know this doesn't help you but this forum is for Microsoft Office not Mac Office. Have you looked for any Mac Office forum groups out there? They might be more equipped to help.

Sorry and good luck.

I HAVE Microsoft Office ... for the Mac. It's made by Microsoft, and it's called Office. Where do you get the idea that this isn't Microsoft Office???

Not helping.

I suspect that many of the regular contributors in this forum run Word for Windows rather than Word for Mac. Therefore, you may not always get suggestions that are on target for your version of Word.

You could try the Word for Mac category in the Microsoft Community at Microsoft 365 and Office - Microsoft Community. Be sure to indicate that you also asked the question here, in the MSOfficeForums.com forum.

__________________
Stefan Blom
Microsoft Word MVP

Microsoft 365 apps for business
Windows 11 Professional