# Saving and exporting projects

## :cloud: Saving projects to cloud

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Cloud projects have backups and versioning, ensuring you'll never lose your work, even if your computer was to fail. Additionally, you can easily share them with collaborators.
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To save a project to the cloud, first go to **File -> Save to Cloud**. In the dialog that follows, click **Link Account**.

<figure><img src="https://github.com/audacity/audacity-support/blob/au4/.gitbook/assets/audiocom%20link%20account.png" alt=""><figcaption><p>Save to audio.com</p></figcaption></figure>

You will be guided through the [audio.com](https://audio.com) signup process, and finally given an option to link your [audio.com](https://audio.com) account to Audacity.

Once you have linked your audio.com account to Audacity, simply **enter the project name** and hit **Save**. The project will now be uploaded in the background.

For the first time you save, you'll be asked how often you want to generate a mixdown. The mixdown is used to preview the file on [audio.com](https://audio.com). If you don't intend on collaborating with others, it may not be necessary to generate mixdowns. You can change your preference at any time in **Edit -> Preferences -> Cloud**.

## Saving projects to the computer (.aup3)

You can save projects using the **File -> Save Project -> Save Project** menu.

A saved project has the most information about your project available. If you save a project, you can change [realtime effects](https://support.audacityteam.org/au4/audio-editing/using-realtime-effects) later on, or untrim clips.

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**Warning:** Avoid saving active projects on external drives, USB sticks, or network storage. Audacity requires fast, uninterrupted access to your storage when recording and editing.
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## Exporting audio (.mp3, .wav, .ogg, ...)

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**Note:** You may need to [install FFMPEG](https://support.audacityteam.org/au4/basics/installing-ffmpeg) to access some of these options.
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You can export your project into an audio file using the **File -> Export Audio...** menu item. Exported audio files can be opened with a wide variety of programs.

<figure><img src="https://github.com/audacity/audacity-support/blob/au4/.gitbook/assets/export-mp3.png" alt=""><figcaption><p>The Export Audio Window</p></figcaption></figure>

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**Tips & Tricks**

* Use mono if you don't need directionality (eg. if you're just recording your voice).
* As an alternative to MP3, the Opus and M4A (AAC) options deliver higher quality at the same file size compared to MP3.
* As an alternative to WAV, the FLAC and Wavpack options offer lossless compression, reducing file sizes by up to half while not losing any information.
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