Versatility of Microsoft Excel has made it one of the most sought-after tools for data analysis and tracking. But, as is common with any software, it is prone to errors and unwanted mishaps as well. Losing data is one such issue we often face with Excel. But don’t worry; there are several ways you can retrieve data saved in Excel. Here are some solutions to help you recover your lost Excel files.
How to Recover an Unsaved Excel File
If you forgot to save your Excel file or it was lost due to a crash, there are a few methods you can try to recover it. Let’s explore how to recover an unsaved Excel file.
Method 1: Recover Unsaved Excel File from Excel Settings
If you are using Microsoft 365 or Excel 2016, you can try recovering an unsaved file from Excel settings. Here’s how:
- Open Excel and click on ‘File’.
- Click on ‘Open’, and then click on ‘Recover Unsaved Workbooks’ at the bottom of the window.
- Select the unsaved Excel file you want to recover, and click ‘Open’.
- Click ‘Save As’ to store the recovered file to a location of your choice.
This method will recover the last unsaved version of your Excel file, even if it was accidentally closed or lost due to a system crash.
Method 2: Recover Saved Excel File from Backup
If you cannot find the unsaved Excel file or have overwritten it with another file, recovering it from a backup is the best option. Here’s how:
- Open the folder where you last saved your Excel file.
- Look for the backup file in the same folder. If you cannot find it, search for backup files in the previous backup location.
- Once you locate the backup file, rename it to match the original Excel file name.
- Open the renamed backup file in Excel and save it to a location of your choice.
This method will recover an earlier version of your Excel file from the backup files.
How to Recover a Deleted Excel File
If you deleted a file and emptied the recycle bin or trash, don’t panic; there might be a way to recover it. Here are a few methods you can try to recover a deleted Excel file.
Method 1: Recover Deleted Excel File from Recycle Bin/Trash
If you deleted an Excel file and didn’t empty the recycle bin/trash or emptied it recently, you can recover the file from there. Here’s how:
- Open the recycle bin/trash on your system.
- Look for the deleted Excel file, click on it, and select ‘Restore’.
- The deleted Excel file will be recovered to its original location.
This method will recover any recently deleted Excel files from the recycle bin/trash.
Method 2: Use Data Recovery Software
If you can’t find the deleted Excel file in the recycle bin/trash or have already emptied it, the best option to recover it is to use data recovery software. Here’s how:
- Download and install a reliable data recovery software like EaseUS, Recuva, or Disk Drill.
- Launch the software and select the location where the Excel file was saved before deletion.
- Scan the location for deleted files and select the Excel file you want to recover.
- Click ‘Recover’ and select a location to save the recovered Excel file.
Using data recovery software is the best option for recovering deleted Excel files, especially if you haven’t created any backups.
FAQs About Excel File Recovery
What Are Some Common Reasons for Losing Excel Files?
Excel files may be lost or deleted due to various reasons, such as:
- Accidental deletion of files.
- Overwriting of files due to naming errors, file format issues, or other reasons.
- System crashes or freezing of software while working on a file.
- Power failures or system shutdowns before saving the file.
- Corruption or damage to files due to viruses or malware attacks.
What Are Some Best Practices to Avoid Losing Excel Files?
Here are some best practices to avoid losing Excel files:
- Save your Excel files regularly to avoid losing data if a crash or system shutdown occurs.
- Maintain a backup of all important files.
- Use password protection for your important Excel files to prevent unauthorized access.
- Use a reliable antivirus program to prevent virus attacks.
- Make sure to shut down your system properly to avoid corruption of data files.
Watch this video for more information on how to recover lost Excel files:
