Have you ever lost an important Excel file because you accidentally closed the document without saving it? Or perhaps you have saved a file, but it became corrupted or you accidentally deleted it? Don’t worry, there’s still hope! In this article, we will show you several methods of recovering Excel files that have been lost, corrupted or deleted.
Method 1: Recovering Unsaved Files
If you’ve accidentally closed an Excel file without saving it, all is not lost. Excel has an autosave feature that can save your document every few minutes, so there’s a good chance that your work is still recoverable.
Step 1: Check the Recent Document List
Open Excel and click on the “File” tab. Look for the “Recent” section on the left side of the screen. If the document you lost is listed there, click on it to open it. If it’s not there, proceed to the next step.
Step 2: Check the Unsaved Files Folder
If the document is not in the Recent list, click on “File” and then click “Info”. Look for “Versions” and click on “Manage Document”. A list of saved versions of your file should appear. Look for the version with the same name as your lost file and click “Restore”. If the file you lost is not in the list, click “Recover Unsaved Workbooks” at the bottom of the list. A new window will open, displaying any unsaved files that Excel has recovered. Select the one you want to recover and click “Open”.
Method 2: Recovering Saved Files
If you have saved your file but it has become corrupted or deleted, you can still recover it with the following methods.
Step 1: Check the Recycle Bin
If you have accidentally deleted your file, check the Recycle Bin first. Locate the file, right-click on it, and select “Restore”. The file will be returned to its original location.
Step 2: Check for Backups
If you regularly back up your files, there’s a good chance that the lost Excel file will be in one of your backups. Check your backup locations for the file.
Step 3: Use a Recovery Tool
If all else fails, you can use a recovery tool to scan your computer for deleted or corrupted files. Some popular recovery tools for Excel files include Recuva, EaseUS, and Disk Drill. These tools can scan your computer, locate any deleted or corrupted files, and attempt to recover them.
FAQ
Q: Can I recover an Excel file that I saved over?
A: Unfortunately, if you have saved over the original file, it may be impossible to recover it. However, if you have a backup of the file or an autosave version, you may still be able to recover some of your work.
Q: What can I do to prevent losing my Excel files in the future?
A: There are several steps you can take to prevent losing your Excel files:
- Save your work regularly to avoid losing progress if your computer crashes or the power goes out.
- Set up automatic backups to an external hard drive or cloud storage service.
- Use a file recovery tool to locate and recover deleted or corrupted files.
Conclusion
Losing an important Excel file can be frustrating, but it’s not the end of the world. With the methods we’ve outlined in this article, there’s a good chance that you’ll be able to recover your lost or corrupted files. Remember to save your work regularly and set up backups to prevent losing your files in the future.
