How to recover deleted excel file​?

Losing an important Excel file can be a frustrating and stressful experience, especially if it contains critical data. Fortunately, there are several methods you can use to recover a deleted Excel file. 

1. Excel file

Microsoft Excel is one of the most widely used applications for data management, analysis, and reporting. Given its importance, losing an Excel file can have significant consequences, especially if it contains sensitive or irreplaceable information. Whether the file was accidentally deleted, lost due to a system crash, or corrupted, there are several ways to recover it.

This guide will provide you with a detailed overview of the various methods you can use to recover a deleted Excel file. We’ll cover both simple solutions, like checking the Recycle Bin, and more advanced techniques, such as using data recovery software. By the end of this guide, you should have a clear understanding of how to recover your lost Excel file and how to prevent similar incidents in the future.

2. Understanding How Files Get Deleted

Before diving into the recovery methods, it’s important to understand how files get deleted and what happens to them after deletion. When you delete a file, it isn’t immediately removed from your storage device. Instead, the space it occupies is marked as available for new data. Until that space is overwritten, the file can potentially be recovered.

There are several scenarios in which an Excel file might be deleted:

Accidental Deletion: You might have accidentally deleted the file by pressing the “Delete” key or using the “Cut” command.

System Crash: A sudden system crash or power outage can cause files to be lost or corrupted.

Virus or Malware: Malicious software can delete or corrupt files on your computer.

Formatting: Formatting a drive or partition will erase all data on it, including Excel files.

Software Issues: Sometimes, software bugs or glitches can cause files to be lost or become inaccessible.

Understanding the cause of the deletion can help you choose the most appropriate recovery method.

3. Immediate Actions to Take After Deletion

When you realize that an Excel file has been deleted, it’s important to act quickly to maximize the chances of recovery. Here are some immediate steps you should take:

Stop Using the Device: If the file was stored on a hard drive, SSD, or USB drive, stop using the device immediately. Continued use can overwrite the deleted file, making it unrecoverable.

Check the Recycle Bin: The first place to look for a deleted file is the Recycle Bin (Windows) or Trash (Mac). If the file is there, you can easily restore it.

Avoid Saving New Data: Avoid saving new files or installing software on the device where the deleted file was stored. This reduces the risk of overwriting the deleted file.

Backup Your Data: If you haven’t already, consider backing up your data to prevent future data loss.

By taking these immediate actions, you can increase the likelihood of successfully recovering your deleted Excel file.

4. Method 1: Check the Recycle Bin

The Recycle Bin is the first place to look for a deleted Excel file. When you delete a file in Windows, it is typically moved to the Recycle Bin rather than being permanently erased. Here’s how to check the Recycle Bin for your deleted Excel file:

Open the Recycle Bin: Double-click on the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop to open it.

Search for the File: Use the search bar at the top-right corner of the Recycle Bin window to search for your Excel file by name.

Restore the File: If you find the file, right-click on it and select “Restore.” The file will be returned to its original location.

If the file is not in the Recycle Bin, it may have been permanently deleted or the Recycle Bin may have been emptied. In such cases, you’ll need to try other recovery methods.

5. Method 2: Use Excel’s AutoRecover Feature

Excel has a built-in AutoRecover feature that automatically saves a copy of your workbook at regular intervals. This feature can be a lifesaver if your Excel file was lost due to a crash or unexpected shutdown. Here’s how to use the AutoRecover feature to recover your deleted Excel file:

Open Excel: Launch Microsoft Excel on your computer.

Go to the “File” Tab: Click on the “File” tab in the top-left corner of the Excel window.

Select “Open”: In the left-hand menu, select “Open.”

Click on “Recover Unsaved Workbooks”: At the bottom of the “Open” window, you’ll see an option labeled “Recover Unsaved Workbooks.” Click on it.

Select the File: A list of unsaved workbooks will appear. Look for your deleted Excel file and select it.

Save the File: Once the file is open, save it immediately to prevent further data loss.

If you don’t see your file in the list of unsaved workbooks, it may not have been auto-saved. In that case, you’ll need to try another recovery method.

6. Method 3: Restore from a Previous Version

Windows has a feature called “Previous Versions” that allows you to restore earlier versions of files and folders. This feature can be useful if you’ve made changes to an Excel file and want to revert to a previous version. Here’s how to use the Previous Versions feature to recover a deleted Excel file:

Locate the Folder: Navigate to the folder where the deleted Excel file was stored.

Right-Click on the Folder: Right-click on the folder and select “Restore previous versions” from the context menu.

Select a Previous Version: A list of previous versions of the folder will appear. Select the version that contains the deleted Excel file.

Restore the File: Click on the “Restore” button to restore the folder to the selected version. Alternatively, you can open the folder and copy the deleted Excel file to another location.

If the Previous Versions feature is not available or doesn’t contain the deleted file, you’ll need to try another recovery method.

7. Method 4: Recover from a Backup

If you have a backup of your Excel file, recovering it is straightforward. Backups can be stored on external drives, cloud storage, or network locations. Here’s how to recover a deleted Excel file from a backup:

Locate the Backup: Identify where your backup is stored. This could be an external hard drive, a USB flash drive, or a cloud storage service like OneDrive or Google Drive.

Access the Backup: Connect the external drive or log in to your cloud storage account.

Search for the File: Navigate to the location where the backup is stored and search for the deleted Excel file.

Restore the File: Once you find the file, copy it to your computer or the original location where it was stored.

If you don’t have a backup of the deleted Excel file, you’ll need to explore other recovery methods.

8. Method 5: Use File History in Windows

File History is a backup feature in Windows that automatically saves copies of your files to an external drive or network location. If you have File History enabled, you can use it to recover a deleted Excel file. Here’s how:

Open File History: Go to the Control Panel and select “File History.”

Select “Restore Personal Files”: In the File History window, click on “Restore personal files.”

Navigate to the Folder: Use the navigation arrows to browse through the different versions of the folder where the deleted Excel file was stored.

Select the File: Once you find the deleted Excel file, select it.

Restore the File: Click on the “Restore” button to restore the file to its original location.

If File History is not enabled or doesn’t contain the deleted file, you’ll need to try another recovery method.