How to find lost excel file​？

​Losing an Excel file can be frustrating, especially when it contains critical data. Whether the file was accidentally deleted, unsaved, misplaced, or lost due to a system crash, there are multiple ways to recover it.

1. Check the Recycle Bin

One of the first places to check is the Recycle Bin. If you have accidentally deleted your Excel file, it might still be there.

Steps:

Open the Recycle Bin on your desktop.

Use the search bar and type the name of the file (if you remember it).

If you find the file, right-click on it and select Restore.

The file will be returned to its original location.

2. Use Windows Search

If the file is not in the Recycle Bin, try searching for it using Windows search.

Steps:

Click on the Windows Start Menu.

Type the file name in the search bar.

If you are unsure of the exact name, search for *.xlsx to display all Excel files on your computer.

If found, right-click on the file and choose Open file location to access it.

3. Check Recent Files in Excel

Excel keeps track of recent files, so if you accidentally closed a file without saving, you may be able to find it in the Recent Files list.

Steps:

Open Microsoft Excel.

Click on File > Open > Recent.

Look for the missing file and open it.

If found, save it to a secure location.

4. Recover Unsaved Workbooks

If Excel crashed before you could save the file, you might be able to recover an unsaved version.

Steps:

Open Microsoft Excel.

Click on File > Info > Manage Workbook.

Select Recover Unsaved Workbooks.

Look for the missing file and open it.

Save it immediately.

5. Search Temporary Files

Excel automatically creates temporary backup files that can sometimes help recover lost work.

Steps:

Open File Explorer.

Navigate to: C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Office\UnsavedFiles

Look for files with the .tmp or .xlsb extension.

If found, open and save them.

6. Check OneDrive or Cloud Backup

If you save your files to OneDrive, Google Drive, or Dropbox, you may find a backup there.

Steps:

Log in to your cloud storage account.

Search for the file in the search bar.

If found, download it to your local drive.

7. Use File History or Previous Versions

Windows File History or Previous Versions may have a backup of your lost file.

Steps:

Right-click on the folder where your file was saved.

Click Restore previous versions.

Select the version you want to recover and click Restore.

8. Use Data Recovery Software

Losing an important Excel file can be frustrating, whether due to accidental deletion, software crashes, or unexpected shutdowns. Fortunately, Panda Assistant, a powerful data recovery tool, can help you locate and restore lost Excel files quickly.

Step 1: Check AutoRecover and Temporary Files

Before using Panda Assistant, check if Excel’s built-in AutoRecover feature has saved your file:

Open Excel and go to File > Info > Manage Workbook to check for unsaved files.

Navigate to C:\Users[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Office\UnsavedFiles to locate temporary files.

Step 2: Use Panda Assistant for Recovery

If the file isn’t there, Panda Assistant can scan your system for deleted or lost files.

Download and Install Panda Assistant – Install the software on your PC.

Select the Scan Location – Choose the folder or drive where the file was last saved.

Run a Quick or Deep Scan – Quick Scan finds recently deleted files, while Deep Scan recovers older lost data.

Preview and Restore – Once scanning is complete, filter results by file type (.xlsx) and restore your lost Excel file.

Step 3: Save and Back Up Your File

After recovery, save your Excel file in a secure location and enable OneDrive or external backups to prevent future data loss.

Panda Assistant simplifies Excel file recovery, making it an essential tool for safeguarding your important documents.