How can I recover a deleted Excel file?

I accidentally deleted an important Excel file and need to get it back. Any help on how to recover it would be much appreciated!

Recovering Your Deleted Excel File: The Ultimate Guide

Hey there! Losing an important Excel file can be super stressful. Luckily, there’s hope! Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you get your file back.

1. Check the Recycle Bin

First things first, did you check the Recycle Bin? Many of us forget to do this.

• Open the Recycle Bin from the desktop.
• Look for your deleted Excel file.
• If you find it, right-click on it and select “Restore”.

2. Use File History or Windows Backup

If you have File History or another backup solution configured, you’re in luck! Windows can help you restore older versions.

• Open the folder where your Excel file was originally saved.
• Right-click anywhere in the folder and select “Properties”.
• Navigate to the “Previous Versions” tab.
• Look for the version you want to recover and click “Restore”.

3. Restore from OneDrive

If you’ve been saving your files to OneDrive (which is always a good habit), recovering a deleted file is straightforward.

1. Log in to OneDrive.
2. Navigate to the “Recycle Bin” section on the left sidebar.
3. Find your Excel file and click on “Restore”.

4. Use Excel’s AutoRecover Feature

Did you know Excel has a built-in feature to help you recover unsaved files?

• Open Excel and go to “File” > “Info”.
• Select “Manage Workbook” > “Recover Unsaved Workbooks”.
• Browse through the list of unsaved files and recover the one you need.

5. Professional Data Recovery Tool: Disk Drill

For more complex recoveries, using specialized software can be a lifesaver. Enter Disk Drill Data Recovery Software.

Super user-friendly and powerful.

1. Download and install Disk Drill Data Recovery Software.
2. Launch the application and select the drive where your Excel file was located.
3. Click on “Search for lost data”.
4. Once the scan is complete, browse through the recoverable files, and select your Excel file.
5. Click on “Recover” to save it back to your computer.

6. Check Temporary Files

Excel often creates temporary files which might just save the day. These temporary files typically have a .TMP extension.

• Head to the folder: C:\Users\[Your_User_Name]\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Office\UnsavedFiles.
• Look for any file that matches the date and time of your lost Excel file.
• Rename the .TMP file to .XLSX and open it in Excel.

7. Use Command Prompt

If you’re tech-savvy, the Command Prompt can be unexpectedly effective.

1. Press Win + R, type cmd, and hit Enter.
2. Run the command: chkdsk X: /f (Replace X with your drive letter).
3. Next, type: ATTRIB -H -R -S /S /D X:\*.* (Replace X with your drive letter).

8. Seek Professional Help

If all else fails, there are professionals who specialize in data recovery.

• Research local data recovery services and choose one with good reviews.
• Explain your situation in detail when reaching out.

Some Pro-Tips:

• Always back up your files. Use external hard drives, cloud storage, or both.
• Enable AutoSave in Excel to prevent future data loss.
• Regularly check and clean up your Recycle Bin.

Hope this helps! Keep your fingers crossed, and with a bit of luck, you’ll have your file back in no time.

FAQ

How can I retrieve a deleted XLSX file from the Recycle Bin?

Access the Recycle Bin via your desktop or file explorer. Locate the deleted XLSX file, right-click on it, and select Restore. The file will be restored to its original location.

Is it possible to recover an XLSX file after emptying the Recycle Bin?

Yes, specialized recovery software such as Recuva or Disk Drill can help retrieve XLSX files even after the Recycle Bin has been emptied. These tools scan your drive for deleted files and attempt to restore them.

What steps should I follow to recover a deleted XLSX file using File History on Windows?

Navigate to the folder where the XLSX file was originally located. Right-click inside the folder, and select Restore previous versions. Choose the version of the folder from before the file was deleted and click Restore.

Can Microsoft Office’s AutoRecover feature help retrieve a deleted XLSX file?

While AutoRecover primarily helps save unsaved work during unexpected crashes, it can sometimes help recover recently lost content. Open Excel, go to File, then Open, and select Recover Unsaved Workbooks to see if your file is listed.

How do cloud storage services like OneDrive help recover deleted XLSX files?

If your XLSX file was stored in OneDrive, you can visit the OneDrive website. Go to the Recycle Bin, find the deleted file, and click Restore. This will recover the file to its original location in your OneDrive.

Are there any system restore points that can help recover deleted XLSX files?

Utilizing system restore points can potentially recover deleted Excel files. This method reverts your system to a previous state where the file existed. Access System Restore in your Control Panel under Recovery and choose a suitable restore point.

What role does built-in software like Windows Backup play in recovering deleted XLSX files?

If you have previously created backups using Windows Backup, you can restore the deleted XLSX file. Go to Control Panel, select Backup and Restore, and follow the prompts to restore files from a previous backup.

Can professional data recovery services help retrieve an important deleted XLSX file?

Yes, professional data recovery services possess advanced tools and expertise to recover critical XLSX files that are otherwise unrecoverable. For more information, you can visit Seagate or Stellar.

Is it possible to recover deleted XLSX files from a USB drive or external storage?

Yes, recovery software such as EaseUS Data Recovery can scan external storage devices for deleted XLSX files. Connect the external device to your computer, run the software, and follow the prompts to recover your file.

What proactive measures can be taken to avoid losing XLSX files in the future?

Regularly backing up your files using cloud services like Google Drive, setting up automatic save features, and creating regular system backups can help ensure that you have copies of your important XLSX files in case of accidental deletion.