How to Recover Unsaved Excel File: Step-by-Step Guide

It can be frustrating to lose work hours because you forgot to save your file. But don't worry. You're not alone.

This article will provide a step-by-step guide on recovering unsaved Excel files. You'll learn different methods to retrieve your unsaved files and never lose your work again.

At the end of this article, you'll better understand how to recover unsaved Excel files and feel confident that you can retrieve your lost data.

So, let's dive in and explore the different ways to recover your unsaved Excel files.

How to Recover Unsaved Excel Files

You can restore an earlier version if you’ve saved the file before. Here's how you can do it:

1. Open the program and the file you were working on.
2. Go to File > Info.
3. Look for the file labeled “(Recover Unsaved Workbook)” under the Manage Workbook option.
4. Select Restore to overwrite any previously saved versions of the file.

If you haven’t saved the file before, here’s what you can do:

1. Go to File > Info > Manage Document > Recover Unsaved Workbooks in Excel.
2. Select the file that you want to recover and then select Open.
3. In the bar at the top of the file, select Save As to save the file.

It's essential to save your work regularly to prevent data loss. You can also use the auto-save feature in Office 365 to avoid losing your work if you forget to save it manually.

Enabling AutoSave and AutoRecover in Excel

One way to ensure that you can recover your work is to enable the AutoSave and AutoRecover functionality in Excel. Here's how you can do it:

1. Click on the File tab and then Options.
2. In the Excel Options dialog box, click on Save (it’s in the left pane of the dialog box).
3. Make sure the following settings are enabled:
   1. Save AutoRecover information every X minutes: This option saves your files every 5 minutes (or whatever time value you specify).
   2. Keep the last AutoRecovered version if I close without saving: This option ensures that in case your Excel/system crashes or you close a file without saving, a version is saved that can be auto-recovered.
   3. AutoRecover file location: The default location is where auto-recovered files are saved. You can change this if you want.

Note that saving a large file every 5 minutes may cause the system to freeze. You can increase the time duration or change the calculation mode to manual to avoid this.

How to Automatically Create a Backup Copy of an Excel File

This means a copy will be automatically created whenever you save your file with the prefix "Backup of." This can be helpful if you need to undo some changes or your file gets corrupted.

To enable this feature, follow these steps:

1. Click on the File tab in Excel.
2. Click on Save As.
3. Click on Browse to choose where to save your file.
4. In the Save As dialog box, click on Tools.
5. Click on General Options.
6. Check the Always Create Backup option
7. Click OK.
8. Save the file in the desired location.

When you save your file, a backup copy will be created automatically.

Important Notes on Excel Auto-Backup Functionality

Auto-backup is a useful feature in Excel that automatically creates a backup copy of your file whenever you save it. Here are some important things to know about this feature:

• Auto-backup only works for the workbook you enable it for. If you want it to work for other workbooks, you'll have to enable it separately for each one.
• Auto-backup differs from Autosave and Autorecover, which are separate settings you can configure independently.
• The backup file has a .XLK extension and may prompt you to confirm that you want to open it.
• The backup file is always one version behind your main file, except for the first time you save it. This means that if you make changes and save your main file once, those changes won't be reflected in the backup file until you save it again.

Using auto-backup is a good practice that can help you recover your work in case your main file gets corrupted, or you need to undo changes you made. Remember to enable it separately for each workbook, and remember that it only creates a backup once you've saved your file for the first time.

How to Fix Corrupt Excel Files

Here are the steps to repair a corrupt Excel file:

1. Open the Excel application.
2. Click on File and then click on Open.
3. Click the Browse button and select the corrupt file.
4. Click on the small downward-pointing triangle in the Open button.
5. Excel will show you a prompt - click on Repair.

If you're lucky, Excel will repair the file, and you can recover your data. But if this doesn't work, try Extract Data instead of Repair. 

Excel will ask whether you want to Convert to values or Recover Formulas. Choose whichever option works best for you.

Excel will extract as much data as possible and create a new workbook with the extracted data.

If none of these options work, you may need to use third-party tools to recover your corrupt Excel file.

Remember, it's always a good idea to regularly save your work and make backup copies, just in case something goes wrong!

FAQs

Where are unsaved Excel files stored?

Unsaved Excel files are typically stored in a temporary folder on your computer. To locate these files, open Excel and click on File > Info > Manage Workbook > Recover Unsaved Workbooks.

What are 2 ways to recover unsaved Excel files?

There are two main ways to recover unsaved Excel files: through the AutoRecover feature or by checking the temporary files folder on your computer. You can also try searching for the file name in File Explorer.

How do I recover a previously saved Excel file?

To recover a previously saved Excel file, open the file in Excel by clicking File > Open and navigating to the file location. If the file is not visible, try searching for it in File Explorer or using the Recent Files list in Excel.

Does Excel have a history log?

Yes, Excel has a history log feature called Track Changes. This feature allows you to record changes made to a workbook and who made them.

How do I recover an unsaved Excel file in Windows 10?

To recover an unsaved Excel file in Windows 10, open Excel and click on File > Info > Manage Workbook > Recover Unsaved Workbooks. If this does not work, you can check the temporary files folder on your computer or search for the file name in File Explorer.

Final Thoughts

Losing an unsaved Excel file can be frustrating and can result in significant data loss. However, various ways to recover unsaved Excel files include using the AutoRecover feature, checking temporary files, and using third-party software.

To avoid losing important data, enabling AutoSave and AutoRecover options and frequently saving your work is crucial. You can also customize these options in Excel to ensure you never lose your work again.

If you cannot recover the unsaved Excel file using built-in options, try using a third-party recovery tool. These tools are designed to recover lost or damaged Excel files and can save you time and frustration.

One more thing

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