iCloud
how to save files on iCloud without deleting them from laptop?
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Turn on iCloud Drive. See: Set up iCloud Drive - Apple Support
then save or move files you want synced to iCloud to the iCloud Drive folder in Finder. You can access that folder via the Finder "Go" menu. You can also add that folder to the Finder sidebar via Finder Preferences.
If you also want all of your Desktop and Documents folders to sync, turn that option on. See: Add your Desktop and Documents files to iCloud Drive - Apple Support
If you do not turn on the Optimize Storage option at Apple menu > System Preferences > Apple ID, there will always be a local copy on your Mac of everything that is synced to iCloud. There is more information on the Optimize Storage option in Add your Desktop and Documents files to iCloud Drive - Apple Support