Tips and Tricks: How to Recover Your Microsoft Excel Files

Have you ever accidentally deleted or lost an important Microsoft Excel file? It can be frustrating and stressful when you need to access the file, but can’t seem to find it anywhere in your system. Don’t worry, there are ways to recover your lost or deleted Excel files. In this article, we’ll be discussing some of the best tips and tricks to help you recover your Excel files and get you back to work in no time.

1. How to Recover Excel Files Using the Recycle Bin

If you’ve recently deleted an Excel file, chances are it’s still sitting in your Recycle Bin. To recover it, simply follow these steps:

1. Open the Recycle Bin on your desktop by double-clicking on the icon.
2. Find the Excel file you want to recover and right-click on it.
3. Select “Restore” and the file will be sent back to its original location on your computer.

If you don’t see the file in your Recycle Bin, don’t panic. There are still other ways to recover your lost Excel files.

2. How to Recover Excel Files Using Microsoft Excel’s AutoRecover Feature

Did Microsoft Excel crash or freeze while you were working on a file? If so, don’t worry. Excel has an AutoRecover feature that saves a copy of your file every few minutes. This means that even if Excel crashes or freezes, you may be able to recover your file.

1. Open Microsoft Excel and look for the “Document Recovery” pane on the left-hand side of the screen.
2. Find the file you want to recover and select it.
3. Click “Open” and the file will be restored to its last saved state.

If you don’t see the “Document Recovery” pane or the file you’re looking for, try searching for Excel backup files on your computer.

3. How to Use Third-Party Software to Recover Excel Files

If all else fails, you can use third-party software to recover your lost Excel files. There are many data recovery software options available, but we recommend using Recuva. Here’s how to use Recuva to recover your Excel files:

1. Download and install Recuva on your computer.
2. Launch Recuva and select “All Files” from the File Type drop-down menu.
3. Select the location where your Excel file was saved and click “Scan”.
4. After the scan is complete, select the Excel file you want to recover and click “Recover”.
5. Choose a new location to save the recovered file.

Note that using third-party software to recover your Excel files does come with some risks. Make sure you research the software and read reviews before downloading and installing it on your computer.

FAQ

Q: Why do Excel files sometimes become corrupted?

A: Excel files can become corrupted for a variety of reasons, including system crashes, power outages, and viruses or malware. When an Excel file becomes corrupted, it may not open or may contain incomplete or incorrect data.

Q: Can I prevent Excel files from becoming corrupted?

A: While you can’t completely prevent Excel files from becoming corrupted, there are some steps you can take to minimize the risk. Make sure you save your files regularly and backup important files to an external hard drive or cloud storage service. Additionally, use antivirus software to protect your computer from viruses and malware.

Watch This Video for More Tips and Tricks on Recovering Excel Files

In Conclusion

Losing an important Excel file can be a frustrating experience, but with these tips and tricks, you should be able to recover your file in no time. Remember to always save your files regularly and backup important files to avoid losing important data. If you’re still having trouble recovering your Excel files, consider seeking professional help from a data recovery specialist.