Have you ever encountered a situation where you lost an important Excel or Word file, or the file suddenly became corrupt and cannot be opened? It can be frustrating, especially if you have spent hours or even days working on the file. However, fear not, as there are ways to recover and repair the file.
How to Find a Saved File in Microsoft Excel
It can happen to anyone – you thought you have saved the file, but it turned out you have not or forgotten where the file was saved. The good news is that Excel keeps track of recently opened files, so you may still be able to find it.
To find a saved file in Microsoft Excel:
- Click on the File tab on the top-left corner of the screen.
- Click on Open, or press Ctrl + O on your keyboard.
- Look for the Recent Documents section on the left side of the screen. The recently opened files will be listed there. You can also click on the “Open Other Workbooks” option to browse for the file.
- If the file you are looking for is not listed, click on the “More options” button at the bottom of the list to search for the file using keywords or browse for it.
- If you still cannot find the file, check your recycle bin or restore the previous versions of the folder it was saved in.
How to Repair Corrupt Excel Files
A corrupt file can happen due to various reasons, such as power loss, unexpected shutdown, or a virus. If you encounter a corrupt Excel file, do not panic, as there are methods to repair it.
Here are some ways to repair corrupt Excel files:
- Use the built-in Excel Repair option: In some cases, Excel will prompt you to open the file in a repaired version. You can try this option and see if it works.
- Change the file extension: Sometimes, changing the file extension from .xlsx to .zip can help retrieve the data from the file. You can then try opening the .zip file and look for the Excel file inside it.
- Use a third-party recovery tool: There are various third-party recovery tools available online that can help repair the corrupt Excel file. One of the popular options is Stellar Excel Repair.
- Copy and paste the data to a new file: If all else fails, you can try copying and pasting the data from the corrupt file to a new Excel file.
How to Recover Deleted Excel Files
Accidentally deleting an important Excel file can be devastating. However, just because you have deleted the file does not mean it is gone forever. There are ways to recover deleted Excel files.
To recover deleted Excel files:
- Check the Recycle Bin: The first place to check for the deleted Excel file is the Recycle Bin. If the file is still in the Recycle Bin, you can right-click on it and select “Restore” to recover it.
- Look for temporary Excel files: Excel creates temporary files as a backup when you are working on a file. You can try looking for these files in the Temp folder by typing “%temp%” in the File Explorer address bar.
- Use a file recovery tool: If all else fails, you can try using a file recovery tool such as Recuva to scan for the deleted Excel file.
FAQ
Q: Can I recover a corrupt Word file using the same methods as Excel?
A: Yes, some of the methods used to repair corrupt Excel files, such as changing the file extension or using a third-party recovery tool, can also be applied to Word files.
Q: Do I need to pay for a third-party recovery tool?
A: It depends on the tool and the level of corruption of the file. Some third-party recovery tools offer a free trial or a free version with limited features, while others require payment for full access.
Include a Video Tutorial: How to Recover Deleted Excel Files
In conclusion, losing or corrupting an Excel or Word file can be a stressful experience, but there are ways to recover and repair the file. Use the methods discussed in this article, and remember to back up your files regularly to avoid losing your hard work.
