How to recover a shared excel file​?

Recovering a shared Excel file can be crucial if you or your team have lost data due to various reasons like accidental deletion, file corruption, or issues with cloud storage. 

1. Check the Recycle Bin

If the Excel file was deleted accidentally:

Windows:

Open the Recycle Bin on your desktop.

Look for the Excel file.

Right-click on the file and select “Restore.”

Mac:

Open the Trash.

Locate the file.

Right-click and choose “Put Back.”

2. Recover from OneDrive or SharePoint

If the shared Excel file was stored in OneDrive or SharePoint, you can restore a previous version:

OneDrive:

Go to OneDrive and sign in.

Navigate to the folder where the file is located.

Right-click the file and select “Version History.”

Choose a version to restore.

SharePoint:

Open SharePoint and locate the file.

Click the ellipsis (…) next to the file.

Select “Version History.”

Restore the desired version.

3. Excel AutoRecover Feature

Excel has an AutoRecover feature that saves copies of files at intervals:

Open Excel.

Go to “File” > “Options.”

Click on “Save” and check the “AutoRecover file location” to find where your files are stored.

Navigate to that folder using File Explorer.

Look for files with the extension .xlsb or .asd and try to open them.

4. Check Temporary Files

Excel sometimes saves temporary versions of files:

Windows:

Open File Explorer and enter %temp% in the address bar.

Look for files that start with “” or “$” followed by the name of your Excel file.

Mac:

Open Finder and navigate to /private/var/folders.

Search for temporary files related to Excel.

5. Utilize Previous Versions (Windows)

If you have File History or System Restore enabled, you can recover older versions:

Right-click on the Excel file or the folder where it was located.

Select “Properties.”

Go to the “Previous Versions” tab.

Choose a version and click “Restore.”

6. Recover Unsaved Workbooks

If Excel crashed or the file was closed without saving:

Open Excel.

Go to “File” > “Open.”

Click on “Recent.”

Scroll down and click “Recover Unsaved Workbooks.”

Select the file you want to recover and save it.

7. Using Third-Party Recovery Tools

Panda Assistant Data Recovery is a robust software solution designed to help users retrieve lost or deleted files from various storage devices, including hard drives, USB flash drives, memory cards, and other storage media. Its user-friendly interface makes it accessible for both novice and experienced users.

Key features of Panda Assistant include deep scanning capabilities that thoroughly search for recoverable data, even after formatting or partition loss. The software supports a wide range of file types, including documents, images, videos, and audio files, ensuring that users can recover almost any type of data they may have lost.

One of the standout features is its preview function, allowing users to view recoverable files before completing the recovery process. This helps in selecting only the files that are truly needed, saving time and storage space. Additionally, Panda Assistant offers various recovery modes, enabling users to choose between quick and deep scans depending on their specific needs.

8. Contact IT Support

If you’re part of an organization, contacting your IT department may provide additional options for recovering lost files, especially if they manage cloud services or data backups.

9. Preventive Measures

To avoid losing shared Excel files in the future, consider the following:

Regular Backups: Ensure regular backups are performed on your files.

Version Control: Implement version control practices to track changes and recover older versions when needed.

Cloud Storage: Use reliable cloud storage solutions with automatic backup features.

Training: Educate team members about proper file handling and sharing protocols.

Conclusion

Recovering a shared Excel file involves various methods, depending on how the file was lost. By using tools like OneDrive, SharePoint, and Excel’s built-in features, you can often restore lost data. Additionally, taking preventive measures can significantly reduce the risk of future data loss. Always stay proactive about data management to protect your important files.