How to Recover Unsaved Excel Files

Making edits or creating new excel files can be a tedious process that can take hours. Accidentally closing a file or a sudden system crash can result in the loss of all your hard work if it wasn’t saved. This can be frustrating, but there is a solution that can help you recover your unsaved excel files. In this blog post, we will provide you with various ways on how to recover unsaved excel files and avoid losing your valuable data.

Check the Recent Files List

The first step to recover an unsaved excel file is to check for it in the recent files list. This can be done by accessing the File tab and clicking on Recent. Here, you will find the list of all recently opened files. If you are lucky, your unsaved file could be present in this list. All you need to do is select it to recover it.

Use the Recover Unsaved Workbooks Option

If your unsaved excel file is not present in the recent files list, don’t worry. Microsoft Excel has a built-in feature that allows you to recover unsaved workbooks. To use this feature, open a new workbook and navigate to the File tab. Click on Open and then select the Recent Workbooks option. At the bottom of the list, you will find the “Recover Unsaved Workbooks” option. Select it to recover your unsaved file.

Retrieve Unsaved Files from Temp Folder

If the above methods fail, you can retrieve your unsaved excel files from the Temp folder. Start by opening a new workbook in excel. Next, navigate to the File tab and click on Open. Select the “Browse” option, and then browse to the following folder: C:\Users\your username\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Office\UnsavedFiles

Check Your OneDrive Backup

Another way to retrieve unsaved excel files is by checking your OneDrive backup folder. If you have enabled this feature, excel automatically saves a copy of your unsaved file in the OneDrive backup folder. To access this folder, log in to your OneDrive account and navigate to the backup folder. Here, you will find all files that excel has backed up, including your unsaved excel file.

Set AutoSave Feature

To avoid losing your unsaved excel files in the future, make sure to enable the AutoSave feature. This feature automatically saves a copy of your file every few minutes. To enable the AutoSave feature, open a new excel file, navigate to the File tab, and click on Options. In the “Save” category, you will find the AutoRecover options. Check the “Save AutoRecover information every” box and set the time interval as per your preference.

Use Third-Party Recovery Software

If all the above methods fail, consider using third-party recovery software like EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard or Disk Drill to recover your unsaved excel files. These tools are designed to recover files that have been lost due to system crashes, power cuts, or accidental deletion. They work by scanning your computer’s hard drive for any recoverable files and then restoring them.

Save Your Excel File in the Cloud

Another way to ensure that your excel files are never lost again is by saving them in the cloud. You can use cloud-based services like OneDrive, Dropbox or Google Drive to store your files. These services automatically save all your changes to the file in real-time and keep multiple versions of the file. Even if your computer crashes or your file is accidentally deleted, you can always access the latest version of your file from the cloud-based service.

Always Save Your Work Frequently

One of the best ways to avoid losing your excel files is by saving your work regularly. Make it a habit to save your excel file every 10-15 minutes. This way, if your computer crashes or your file is accidentally closed, you won’t lose a lot of your work. It’s a simple but effective tip that can save you a lot of time and frustration.

In Conclusion

Recovering unsaved excel files can be stressful, but with the methods listed above, you can easily retrieve them. Always remember to save your work regularly, use cloud-based storage services and enable the AutoSave feature to avoid losing your valuable data again.

FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions about recovering unsaved excel files:

Can I recover an unsaved excel file on a Mac?

Yes, you can recover an unsaved excel file on a Mac using the same methods described in this blog post. However, the location of the files may differ slightly. For example, instead of the Temp folder mentioned above, you should look in the Autosave Information folder on your Mac.

What is the Autosave feature in Excel?

The Autosave feature in Excel automatically saves your work every few minutes. This feature is especially useful if you are prone to accidentally closing files or if your system crashes frequently. To enable the Autosave feature, go to the “Save” category in the Options menu and set the time interval as per your preference.

What should I do if I accidentally deleted an excel file?

If you accidentally deleted an excel file, you can still recover it using third-party recovery software like EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard or Disk Drill. These tools are designed to recover files that have been permanently deleted from your computer.

Why do I need to save my excel file in the cloud?

Saving your excel file in the cloud provides an added layer of protection against data loss. Cloud-based services automatically save your work in real-time and keep multiple versions of the file. Even if your computer crashes or your file is accidentally deleted, you can always access the latest version of your file from the cloud-based service.

What should I do if none of the above methods work?

If none of the above methods work, it’s time to seek professional help. Contact a data recovery specialist who can help you retrieve your unsaved file or lost data.