Saving an AUP3 project and exporting a WAV or MP3 answer different questions. Keep the roles clear before sharing.
Which result do you need?
An Audacity project keeps editing work for reopening in Audacity. The manual identifies AUP3 as its project format and explains that another player cannot simply use that project as an audio file. Export Audio creates a listening copy such as WAV or MP3. Decide whether your recipient needs a finished recording or the ability to continue editing.
Name the two copies clearly
Our suggested routine uses a project name and a clearly identified delivery filename. Write down what the exported copy is for: review, publication or use in another application. Avoid overwriting your only previous delivery while trying a different export. A folder containing several almost identical names can make an otherwise successful export difficult to identify.
Move a closed project
Audacity’s manual warns against moving, renaming or copying an open project through the operating system. For a file-level copy, finish saving and close the project first. Its temporary files should not be moved or deleted while the project is open. The manual also documents Backup Project for a separate project copy during work.
Check editability and playback separately
Our suggested check is to reopen the project in Audacity, then open the exported recording in the player you intend to use. Listen to the start, ending and an edited transition. These are two different checks; passing one is not proof of the other. Keep important source material until your chosen recovery and delivery copies have been checked.
Go straight to the people who make it.
Audacity project, copying and export guidanceSource check: 2026-10-02. General guidance; follow your device’s current instructions.