How to recover deleted files from excel？

​I. Excel

Excel is a widely used spreadsheet software that stores a vast amount of important data such as financial records, project plans, and statistical analyses. Losing an Excel file due to accidental deletion can be a significant setback. However, there are several methods to recover these deleted files, depending on the circumstances and the steps you’ve already taken.

II. Check the Recycle Bin

Windows: In a Windows operating system, when you delete a file, it usually goes to the Recycle Bin. You can easily access the Recycle Bin by double – clicking its icon on the desktop. Once you open the Recycle Bin, look for the deleted Excel file. The files are listed with their original names and deletion dates. If you find the Excel file you want to recover, right – click on it and select “Restore”. The file will then be moved back to its original location on your computer’s hard drive.

Mac: On a Mac, when you delete a file, it moves to the Trash. You can open the Trash by clicking on its icon in the Dock. Similar to Windows, locate the Excel file in the Trash, right – click (or use the Control – click) and select “Put Back”. This will return the file to its original folder.

III. Use File History (Windows) or Time Machine (Mac)

Windows – File History

File History is a backup feature in Windows that can be used to recover previous versions of files. To access File History, go to the “Control Panel” and then select “File History”. If File History is enabled and has been running, you can browse through the different versions of your Excel files. You can restore a specific version of the file that was saved before it was deleted.

In the File History window, use the left – and – right arrows to navigate through different backup times. When you find the version of the Excel file you want to restore, click the “Restore” button at the bottom of the window. The file will be restored to its original location.

Mac – Time Machine

Time Machine is a built – in backup utility in Mac. If you have been using Time Machine to back up your Mac, you can use it to recover deleted Excel files. Connect the external backup drive where your Time Machine backups are stored. Then, click on the Time Machine icon in the menu bar and select “Enter Time Machine”.

The Time Machine interface will open, showing you a timeline of your backups on the right side. Scroll through the timeline to find a point in time when the Excel file you want to recover was still present. Once you’ve located it, select the file and click the “Restore” button. The file will be restored to its original location.

IV. Check Cloud Storage and Backup Services

OneDrive (Microsoft): If your Excel file was saved to OneDrive, you may be able to recover it. Log in to your OneDrive account through a web browser or the OneDrive application. OneDrive keeps a version history of files. You can access the version history by right – clicking on the file (if it’s still visible in the OneDrive folder) or by going to the OneDrive online settings and looking for the “Version history” option. From the version history, you can restore an earlier version of the Excel file.

Google Drive: For files stored in Google Drive, similar to OneDrive, Google Drive has a version history feature. Open the Google Drive website and locate the file (if it’s still there). Right – click on the file and select “Manage versions”. You can then view and restore previous versions of the Excel file.

Dropbox: Dropbox also offers a version history option. Log in to your Dropbox account, find the file (if possible), and click on the “…” (more options) button next to the file. Then select “Version history”. From there, you can restore an earlier version of the Excel file that might have been deleted or modified.

Third – Party Backup Software: If you have used other backup software such as Acronis True Image, Norton Ghost, or CrashPlan, you can use their restore features to recover the deleted Excel file. These software programs usually have a user – friendly interface that allows you to search for and restore specific files from your backups.

V. Use Data Recovery Software

Panda Assistant is a powerful data recovery software designed to help users recover lost or deleted files from a variety of storage devices. Whether you’re dealing with accidental deletion, corrupted files, or system crashes, Panda Assistant offers a user-friendly interface to guide you through the recovery process. This tool supports a wide range of file types, including documents, photos, videos, and more, making it versatile for both personal and professional use.

One of the standout features of Panda Assistant is its ability to recover files from different storage media, such as hard drives, USB drives, SD cards, and even RAID arrays. It uses advanced scanning algorithms to identify and retrieve data that may seem beyond recovery, giving users the peace of mind that their important files can be restored even after serious data loss events.

VI. Excel’s AutoRecover Feature

How it Works: Excel has an AutoRecover feature that can save your work at regular intervals. If Excel crashes or your computer shuts down unexpectedly, AutoRecover can help you recover the most recent version of your file. By default, AutoRecover is enabled in Excel.

Recovering Files with AutoRecover: When you reopen Excel after an unexpected shutdown or crash, a Document Recovery pane may appear. This pane shows the list of files that Excel was able to recover using the AutoRecover feature. You can select the Excel file you want to recover and click “Open”. If the Document Recovery pane does not appear, you can go to the “File” tab, then select “Open” and look for the “Recover Unsaved Workbooks” option. From there, you can try to find and recover the Excel file.

VII. Precautions to Avoid File Loss in the Future

Regular Backups: The most important precaution is to have a regular backup strategy. You can use external hard drives, cloud storage services, or a combination of both to back up your Excel files. Set up a schedule for backups so that you always have a recent copy of your files.

Enable AutoSave and AutoRecover: In Excel, make sure that the AutoSave and AutoRecover features are enabled and configured properly. Adjust the AutoRecover interval to a frequency that suits your work habits. For example, if you work on important Excel files continuously, you may want to set a shorter AutoRecover interval to minimize data loss.

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