How to recover deleted files in excel

Microsoft Excel is one of the most widely used spreadsheet applications across industries and personal use cases. It helps in data analysis, financial modeling, project management, record-keeping, and countless other tasks. Given the importance of the data handled within Excel, accidentally deleting a file can be a stressful situation. But don’t panic there are several ways to recover deleted Excel files, and this guide explores all viable options to help you retrieve your lost data.

1. Recover from the Recycle Bin

If you’ve simply deleted the Excel file using Delete or dragging it to the Recycle Bin, your file may still be there.

Steps to recover:

Open the Recycle Bin from the desktop.

Use the search bar if needed—type the file name or “.xlsx”.

Locate the deleted Excel file.

Right-click on the file and choose Restore.

This will send the file back to its original location.

2. Restore from Excel AutoRecover

Excel has a built-in AutoRecover feature that saves versions of files you’re working on periodically. If Excel or your PC crashes before you save, this feature can help.

Steps to recover using AutoRecover:

Reopen Excel.

Look at the left pane for the Document Recovery panel.

Click the available autosaved file.

Save it immediately to avoid another loss.

Where to find AutoRecover files manually:

You can also find AutoRecovered files in these directories (default paths may vary):

For Excel 365 or 2019:

mathematica

C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Excel\

Use Excel to locate the folder:

File → Options → Save → look at the path for AutoRecover file location.

3. Check for Temporary Files

Excel often creates temporary backup files. These might not show up in standard search results but can be manually located.

Steps:

Open File Explorer.

Navigate to:

mathematica

C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Office\UnsavedFiles

Look for .asd or .tmp files that match your lost file’s timestamp.

Copy and rename the file extension to .xlsx, then open in Excel.

4. Use File History (Windows Backup)

If you’ve enabled File History or another backup system on your Windows PC, you may be able to restore an older version of the file.

Steps:

Navigate to the folder where the file was originally saved.

Right-click on the folder.

Choose Restore previous versions.

Browse through available backups.

Select the appropriate version and click Restore.

5. Retrieve from OneDrive/SharePoint

If your Excel files are stored in the cloud (OneDrive, OneDrive for Business, or SharePoint), there’s a good chance they can be recovered from online Recycle Bins or version histories.

Steps for OneDrive:

Log in to OneDrive.

Go to the Recycle Bin on the left.

Find the deleted Excel file.

Select it and click Restore.

To recover previous versions:

Navigate to the file location in OneDrive.

Right-click on the file → Version history.

Choose a previous version and Restore it.

6. Restore from Recent Versions (File History in Excel)

Even if you didn’t save changes, Excel may have retained previous versions while you worked on the file.

Steps:

Open the Excel file you’ve overwritten or suspect has lost data.

Go to File → Info.

Look for a section labeled Manage Workbook or Version History.

Click a version to preview.

Restore if it contains the missing data.

7. Use Data Recovery Software

If none of the above methods work—especially if the file was permanently deleted—you might need third-party software.

Top Excel File Recovery Tools:

Panda Data Recovery

Recuva

Disk Drill

EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard

Stellar Data Recovery

These tools scan your hard drive for lost files, including those emptied from the Recycle Bin.

General recovery steps:

Install your chosen tool on a different partition (to avoid overwriting).

Launch the tool and select the drive where the file was stored.

Scan for lost files.

Use filters like .xlsx or file name if needed.

Preview and restore the file to a new safe location.

8. Check Email Attachments or Collaborators

If you shared the Excel file with someone or sent it over email, you might recover it from those sources.

Suggestions:

Search email inboxes for attachments.

Ask colleagues for a copy.

Check collaborative platforms (e.g., Microsoft Teams or Slack uploads).

9. Restore Using Windows Command Prompt (Advanced)

For tech-savvy users, the Command Prompt offers a method to look for hidden or system-protected files.

Steps:

Open Command Prompt as administrator.

Run the following command:

bash

chkdsk X: /f

(Replace X: with your drive letter.)

Then run:

markdown

ATTRIB -H -R -S /S /D X:\*.*

This command attempts to make hidden and system files visible again. It’s more effective on USB or external drives.

10. Explore Microsoft 365 Cloud Backups

If you’re using Excel with Microsoft 365. there may be more frequent cloud saves depending on your organization’s settings.

Steps:

Open Excel from Office.com.

Click OneDrive or Recent from the left panel.

Browse cloud-saved files.

Use Version History to roll back.

11. Recovering Overwritten Files

Overwriting a file is different from deletion. But you might still get it back via backups or versioning.

Options:

Restore previous versions (as in section 4).

Use third-party versioning tools like ShadowExplorer.

Enable and use File History regularly.

12. Preventing Future File Loss

Now that you’ve recovered (or tried to recover) your Excel file, it’s crucial to set up protections going forward.

Tips:

Turn on AutoSave in Microsoft 365.

Use OneDrive or Dropbox for cloud backups.

Schedule Windows Backup/File History.

Save files often (Ctrl + S).

Install recovery software proactively.

Name versions sequentially (report_v1. report_v2. etc.).

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What if my Excel file is corrupt, not deleted?

Use Open and Repair:

Open Excel → File → Open → Browse → Select file → Click arrow next to “Open” → Choose “Open and Repair”.

Q: Can I recover files deleted weeks ago?

Possibly—if they haven’t been overwritten. Try data recovery software for deep scans.

Q: What if the Excel file was on a USB drive?

Use recovery software targeting that specific drive. Avoid writing new data to the USB stick before recovery.