How to restore overwritten excel file​？

Restoring an overwritten Excel file can be a challenging process, especially when it happens without a backup. The good news is that, depending on the specific circumstances, there are several methods available to help you retrieve a previous version of the file or recover your data.

Excel files are crucial for many individuals and businesses due to their extensive use in data organization, analysis, and presentation. Whether you’re managing financial data, working on a large project, or simply tracking personal information, the loss or corruption of an Excel file can be a major setback. More frustrating, however, is when you accidentally overwrite the file you were working on.

An overwritten Excel file refers to a situation where you save a new version of the file with the same name in the same location, effectively replacing the original file. In some cases, this happens when you forget to click “Save As” or make changes and hit “Save” without realizing that you were not saving the intended file.

If you find yourself in this situation, don’t panic. There are several methods to try, each suited to different types of issues and environments. While some solutions rely on built-in Excel features, others depend on file recovery software, backup systems, or cloud-based storage. Let’s break down the steps and tools you can use to restore an overwritten Excel file.

Method 1: Check Excel’s AutoSave and AutoRecover Features

Microsoft Excel comes with built-in features like AutoSave and AutoRecover, which are designed to help recover unsaved or overwritten files. These features automatically save copies of your work at regular intervals, so you may be able to recover a version of your file before it was overwritten.

1.1: AutoSave Feature in Office 365

If you’re using Office 365 or Microsoft 365. the AutoSave feature may be enabled by default. AutoSave saves your work continuously to OneDrive or SharePoint, meaning that each change is saved as soon as it’s made. If you are working in a shared file, this feature can be especially helpful, as it allows you to restore a previous version of the file easily.

To check if AutoSave is enabled and restore a previous version:

Open the Excel file that you want to recover.

Go to the File menu and select Info.

Look for the “Version History” button in the middle of the screen.

Click Version History, and a list of previous versions will appear.

Choose the version you wish to restore. You can view and compare the content before deciding to restore it.

If AutoSave is not enabled, or if your Excel file was not being stored on OneDrive or SharePoint, this method may not be applicable. However, Excel’s AutoRecover feature is worth checking.

1.2: AutoRecover Feature in Excel

Excel’s AutoRecover feature works by saving backup copies of your file at regular intervals (usually every 10 minutes). If Excel crashes or if you forget to save your file, it can often recover a recent version. The AutoRecover feature doesn’t always recover overwritten files, but it can help in situations where the file was inadvertently closed or the computer crashed.

To check if AutoRecover is enabled and find AutoRecover files:

Open Excel and go to the File menu.

Click Options and then choose Save from the menu on the left.

In the Save Workbooks section, ensure that the AutoRecover information every checkbox is selected and set to an appropriate time interval (e.g., 10 minutes).

To find AutoRecovered files, go to File > Info > Manage Workbook > Recover Unsaved Workbooks.

Check for any available AutoRecovered versions of your file and open them to see if they contain the data you’re looking for.

If you find the desired file, you can save it as a new document, ensuring that it’s no longer overwritten.

Method 2: Use Previous Versions in Windows

Windows has a feature called File History, which allows you to restore previous versions of files, including Excel spreadsheets. This method only works if you have File History enabled or have created system restore points.

2.1: Restore from Previous Versions in Windows 10/11

If File History or Windows Backup has been enabled on your computer, it’s possible to restore a previous version of an Excel file by following these steps:

Right-click on the folder that contains the overwritten Excel file.

Select Restore previous versions from the context menu.

A list of available previous versions will appear. Select the version of the file you want to restore based on the date and time.

Click Restore to recover the previous version of the Excel file to its original location.

If the file is still missing or doesn’t appear in the list of previous versions, it may be helpful to check any cloud backup services you’re using (such as OneDrive, Dropbox, etc.).

Method 3: Use File Recovery Software

Panda Assistant uses advanced scanning algorithms to locate lost files, even in challenging scenarios such as damaged or formatted storage. The software provides a deep scan option that goes beyond basic recovery to find files that may be deeply hidden within the storage device. Additionally, it supports various file formats, including documents, images, videos, audio files, and more, ensuring that a wide range of data can be restored.

Another useful feature is its preview function, which allows users to view files before they are fully recovered. This ensures that only the desired files are restored, saving both time and storage space. The software also offers a safe recovery process, ensuring that the recovered files don’t overwrite or damage other data during the process.

Method 4: Check Cloud Backup Services

If you use cloud storage services like OneDrive, Google Drive, or Dropbox, there may be a backup or version history that allows you to recover a previous version of your Excel file. These services often have version control, which allows you to restore older versions of files that have been overwritten or lost.

4.1: Restore from OneDrive Version History

If your Excel file is stored in OneDrive, you can use the built-in version history to recover an older version of the file.

Log into your OneDrive account and navigate to the folder containing the Excel file.

Right-click on the file and select Version History.

A list of previous versions will appear, showing the date and time each version was saved.

Select the version you want to restore and click Restore.

This method can also apply to other cloud storage services like Google Drive and Dropbox, which have similar versioning features.

Method 5: Consult Professional Data Recovery Services

If you’ve exhausted all the above options and still can’t restore the overwritten Excel file, your last resort is to consult a professional data recovery service. These companies specialize in recovering lost or overwritten data from hard drives, SSDs, and other storage devices. While this option can be costly, it may be the only solution if the file is critical and all other recovery methods have failed.