If you’ve ever accidentally closed an Excel file without saving or experienced a power outage before saving your work, you know the panic-inducing feeling of losing all your hard work. However, all hope is not lost. In this article, we’ll explore ways to recover unsaved or deleted Excel files.
Method 1: Check AutoRecover Settings
The first step in recovering unsaved Excel files is to check your AutoRecover settings. By default, AutoRecover is turned on in Excel, and it saves a backup copy of your workbook at regular intervals. This setting is designed to help recover your work in the event of a system crash or other unexpected issues.
To check your AutoRecover settings in Excel, follow these steps:
- Click on the File tab in Excel.
- Click on Options near the bottom of the left-hand menu.
- Click on the Save option in the left-hand menu.
- Check that the Save AutoRecover information every [X] minutes box is checked and note the file location. This is where your AutoRecover backup will be saved.
- Click OK to save your changes and exit the options menu.
If you have AutoRecover turned on and have been regularly saving your work, you should be able to find a backup copy of your workbook in the location noted in step 4. Look for a file with a name similar to “AutoRecover save of [filename]”.
Method 2: Recover Unsaved Files using Excel’s Inbuilt Tool
If you didn’t have AutoRecover turned on, don’t panic – Excel has another tool built into the software to help recover unsaved files.
To recover your unsaved Excel file using this tool, follow these steps:
- Click the File tab in Excel.
- Click on Info.
- Click on Manage Workbook.
- Select Recover Unsaved Workbooks from the dropdown menu.
- Select the file you want to recover and click Open.
- Save your recovered file as a new workbook to prevent overwriting any other files.
After these steps, you should be able to access and work on your recovered workbook.
Method 3: Recover Deleted Excel Files with EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard
In the event that your Excel file is deleted, you might think all hope is lost. But there are still options for recovering your data. EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard is one tool that can help you recover deleted Excel files.
To use EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard to recover your deleted Excel files, follow these steps:
- Download and install EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard.
- Select the location where your Excel file was deleted from and click Scan.
- The software will scan your selected location and list out all files that can be recovered.
- Select the deleted Excel file(s) you want to recover and click Recover.
- Save the recovered file(s) to a new location to prevent overwriting other files.
If you act quickly and use a professional data recovery tool like EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard, you have a good chance of recovering your lost Excel files.
FAQ
Q: Can I recover an unsaved Excel document after restarting my computer?
A: It’s possible to recover an unsaved Excel document after restarting your computer, but your chances of success are lower. If you have AutoRecover turned on, and your saved backup copy is stored in a location that was not affected by the restart, you may still be able to recover your file. Use Method 1 to find your AutoRecover backup. If you don’t have AutoRecover turned on, you can still try Method 2 to recover your unsaved file.
Q: Can I recover a deleted Excel file if it was not in the Recycle Bin?
A: Yes, it’s possible to recover a deleted Excel file even if it was not in the Recycle Bin. Professional data recovery software like EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard can scan your computer and find deleted files that may have been missed by the Recycle Bin. Use Method 3 to recover your deleted Excel file.
Video Tutorial: How to Recover Lost Excel Files
For a more visual guide to recovering lost Excel files, check out this video tutorial:
Conclusion
Accidents and computer crashes happen, but with the right tools and knowledge, you can recover your lost Excel files. Always make sure to check your AutoRecover settings in Excel, turn on the feature if it’s not already turned on, and save your work regularly to prevent data loss. If you do experience data loss, try using Excel’s built-in tools or professional data recovery software like EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard. With a little effort, you can retrieve your lost Excel files and avoid having to start from scratch.
