How to recover an excel file​?

Recovering an Excel file can be a crucial task, especially if the file contains important data. 

1. Recover from the Recycle Bin

If you have accidentally deleted the Excel file, the first place to look is the Recycle Bin. In Windows, the Recycle Bin is a storage area for deleted files and folders.

Open the Recycle Bin by double – clicking its icon on the desktop. Once opened, you can search for the Excel file you need. When you find it, right – click on the file and select “Restore”. The file will then be moved back to its original location.

2. Use the AutoRecover Feature in Excel

Excel has an AutoRecover feature that can save your work at regular intervals. This can be a lifesaver if Excel crashes or your computer shuts down unexpectedly.

To access AutoRecover files, open Excel. Then, go to the “File” tab and select “Open”. In the Open dialog box, look for the “Recover Unsaved Workbooks” option (the exact wording may vary depending on your Excel version). Click on this option, and Excel will display a list of available AutoRecover files. You can select the file you want to recover and click “Open”.

You can also adjust the AutoRecover settings. To do this, go to the “File” tab, select “Options”, and then click on the “Save” category. Here, you can set the AutoRecover save interval (the default is usually 10 minutes) and the location where AutoRecover files are saved.

3. Restore from a Backup

If you have a backup system in place, you can restore the Excel file from the backup. Backups can be created using various methods, such as using Windows Backup and Restore, third – party backup software, or cloud – based backup services.

For example, if you are using Windows Backup and Restore, you can follow these steps:

Open the “Control Panel” and navigate to “Backup and Restore” (the exact location may vary depending on your Windows version).

In the Backup and Restore window, look for the option to “Restore my files” or a similar option.

Follow the on – screen instructions to select the backup set that contains the Excel file and the location where you want to restore it.

If you are using a cloud – based backup service like Dropbox or Google Drive, you can log in to your account, locate the backup version of the Excel file, and download it to your computer.

4. Use File Recovery Software

There are many file recovery software programs available that can help you recover deleted or lost Excel files. Some popular options include Recuva, EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard, and Disk Drill.

Here’s a general process for using file recovery software:

Download and install the file recovery software on your computer. Make sure to choose a reliable and reputable program.

Launch the software and select the drive or partition where the Excel file was originally located. The software will then scan the drive for recoverable files.

The scanning process may take some time, depending on the size of the drive and the number of files. Once the scan is complete, the software will display a list of recoverable files. Look for your Excel file in the list.

Select the Excel file you want to recover and click the “Recover” button. The software will then attempt to recover the file and save it to a location you specify.

5. Contact Microsoft Support

If none of the above methods work, you can contact Microsoft Support for further assistance. They may be able to provide additional solutions or help you recover the file through other means.

When contacting Microsoft Support, make sure to provide as much information as possible about the problem, such as the Excel version you are using, how the file was lost or deleted, and any error messages you received.

6. Preventing Data Loss in the Future

To avoid the need to recover Excel files in the future, it’s important to take preventive measures. Here are some tips:

Save your work frequently. Use the “Save” or “Save As” command regularly to ensure that your changes are saved to the file.

Use the AutoRecover feature and set it to a reasonable interval. This way, even if something goes wrong, you have a recent backup of your work.

Create regular backups of your important files. You can use external hard drives, cloud – based storage, or other backup methods to ensure that your data is safe.

Be careful when deleting files. Make sure you really want to delete a file before doing so, and double – check the file name and location.

In conclusion, recovering an Excel file is possible through several methods, including checking the Recycle Bin, using AutoRecover, restoring from a backup, using file recovery software, and contacting Microsoft Support. By taking preventive measures, you can also reduce the risk of losing your Excel files in the future.