How to Recover an Excel File? (Overwritten and Deleted Files)

This is an overview.

Recover Excel File — *Click the image for a detailed view*

Download Practice Workbook

Recover Files.xlsx

Method 1 – Recover Excel Files with the AutoRecover Option

Go to File > Options.
In Excel Options, click Save.
Set Save AutoRecover information every for specified minutes.
Click OK.

Enabling AutoRecover information every 1 minute

To recover the previously saved file, go to File > Info.
Select Manage Workbook > Recover Unsaved Workbooks.

Steps to Recover Unsaved Workbooks

The Excel file is named Recover Excel File. This name will be displayed in the window.
Select the file and click Open.

Steps to Recover unsaved workbook

There are files saved at different times.
Select the one you want to recover and click Open.
Choose a location and save it.

Selecting and recovering unsaved workbook

Method 2 – Recover Overwritten Excel Files using OneDrive

Go to the file location in OneDrive and right-click the file.
Click Version history.

Steps to recover Excel files from OneDrive with Version history

A new tab will open with both the Current Version and Older Versions.
Select an old file with a specific date.

Showing different Excel file versions

The file will be displayed.
Select Restore to recover the old version.
Download the old version.

Restoring specific Excel file version

Method 3 – Recover Deleted Excel Files from the OneDrive Bin

Go to the Recycle bin and find your file.

Steps to select files from OneDrive

Right-click the file and select Restore.

Restoring Excel file from OneDrive Recycle bin

Your file will be recovered in its original location.

Method 4 – Recover Overwritten Excel Files using the File History

Right-click the file and select Restore previous versions.

Steps to Restore previous versions

In the Previous Versions window, find the files of older versions.

Showing previous versions file location

Method 5 – Recover Deleted Files in the Recycle Bin

Open the Recycle Bin.
Right-click the file you want to recover.

Showing deleted Excel file in Recycle bin

Select Restore.

Restoring deleted file from Recycle bin

Your file will be restored to the original location.

How to Repair Corrupted Excel Files?

Open any Excel file.
Click the File tab and go to Open.
Click Browse to find the corrupted file.

Steps to open an Excel file

Select it and click the side arrow in Open.

Selecting and Opening an Excel file

Select Open and Repair.

selecting Open and Repair option

In the dialog box asking for your permission, click Convert to Values.

Converting Formulas to values

If your file is not recovered, select Extract Data instead of Repair.

How to Enable the Easy Recovery Option to Protect Data

Click the File tab and select Options.

Steps to open Options tab

In Excel Options, go to Save.
Set the time interval for auto-recovery.
Set the file location for the recovered file.

Setting AutoRecover time interval and file location — *Click the image for a detailed view*

Click AutoSave on the left side of your Excel file, to save your data automatically.

Showing how to turn on AutoSave mode

A new window will open asking for your permission to save the file in OneDrive.
Select your OneDrive account to complete the procedure.

Selecting OneDrive Personal as Autosave option

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How Can I Recover Unsaved Excel Files?

To find your unsaved Excel file, go to File > Info and select Recover Unsaved Workbooks. You have to activate the AutoRecover mode.

Recover Excel File: Knowledge Hub

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