How to recover replaced file in excel​?

I. Recovering a Replaced File in Excel

When a file in Excel is replaced, it means that the original version of the file has been overwritten with a new version. This can happen due to various reasons such as accidentally saving a different file with the same name, or intentionally replacing an old file thinking that the new content is more valuable.

II. Checking the Recycle Bin (Windows) or Trash (Mac)

Windows:

If the Excel file was replaced by a new file with the same name and you realized it shortly after, the first place to look is the Recycle Bin. When you delete a file to replace it (in some cases, the old version is sent to the Recycle Bin), you can simply open the Recycle Bin. It’s usually located on the desktop.

Once you open the Recycle Bin, you can search for the Excel file by its name. You can use the search bar in the Recycle Bin window to quickly locate the file. If you find it, right – click on the file and select “Restore”. The file will be restored to its original location, which is usually the folder where it was originally saved.

Mac:

On a Mac, the equivalent of the Recycle Bin is the Trash. If the Excel file was replaced and the old version was sent to the Trash, you can find it there. The Trash icon is usually located at the end of the Dock.

Open the Trash and look for the Excel file. You can also use the search function in the Trash to quickly find the file. Once you find it, you can drag it back to its original location or use the “Put Back” option to restore it to its original folder.

III. Using File Version History (if available)

Windows:

Some versions of Windows, especially those that are part of a corporate network or have Windows Backup and Restore features enabled, may have file version history. You can access this through the file’s properties.

Right – click on the Excel file (the new, replaced version) and select “Properties”. In the Properties window, go to the “Previous Versions” tab. Here, you may find older versions of the file that were saved before the replacement.

Select the version you want to restore and click on the “Restore” button. Note that this option may not be available for all files and depends on the system settings and backup configurations.

Mac:

Mac also has a similar feature called Time Machine. If you have Time Machine enabled and have been regularly backing up your files, you can use it to restore a previous version of the Excel file.

Open the folder where the Excel file is located and enter Time Machine. You can do this by clicking on the Time Machine icon in the menu bar and then selecting “Enter Time Machine”. The screen will change to show different versions of the folder and its contents over time.

Navigate through the different versions using the timeline on the side until you find the version of the Excel file you want to restore. Then, click on the “Restore” button to bring back that version of the file.

IV. Checking Cloud Storage and Backup Services

OneDrive (Microsoft):

If you have saved your Excel file to OneDrive, it may have version history. OneDrive keeps track of changes made to files over time.

Log in to your OneDrive account through a web browser. Navigate to the Excel file in question. Right – click on the file and select “Version history”. You will see a list of previous versions of the file.

Select the version you want to restore and click on the “Restore” button. The restored version will replace the current version of the file in your OneDrive folder.

Google Drive:

For files saved in Google Drive, it also has a version history feature. Open the Google Drive website and locate the Excel file.

Right – click on the file and select “Manage versions”. A list of previous versions will be displayed. You can preview these versions and select the one you want to restore. Click on the “Restore this version” button to replace the current file with the restored version.

Dropbox:

Dropbox also provides version history. Log in to your Dropbox account and find the Excel file.

Click on the file’s name to open its details page. There, you can find a “Versions” tab. Click on it to view the previous versions of the file. Select the version you want to restore and click on the “Restore” button.

V. Third – Party Data Recovery Software

Panda Assistant works by employing advanced scanning algorithms to scan hard drives, SSDs, USB drives, memory cards, and other storage devices. Users can choose between a Quick Scan mode for minor data loss issues or a Deep Scan mode for more severe cases where files are harder to recover. The software also features a preview function that allows you to view the recoverable files before restoring them, which helps in selecting only the necessary files for recovery.

One of Panda Assistant’s key strengths is its ease of use. Its user-friendly interface is designed to make the recovery process straightforward, even for individuals with little to no technical experience. The software is available in both free and premium versions, with the premium version unlocking additional features, including unlimited recovery, advanced scanning options, and access to dedicated customer support.

VI. Preventing File Replacement in the Future

Using Save As: Always use the “Save As” option when you want to create a new version of an Excel file. This way, you can give the new file a different name or save it in a different location, leaving the original file intact.

Backup Regularly: Set up a regular backup schedule for your important Excel files. You can use built – in backup tools in your operating system, cloud storage services, or third – party backup software.

Version Control: Consider using version control software like Git (although it’s more commonly used for code, it can also be adapted for other types of files). This allows you to keep track of different versions of your Excel files and easily revert to previous versions if needed.