How to recover a Excel file that was not saved
Losing an unsaved Excel file can be a frustrating experience, especially when you have spent hours working on it. However, there are several methods you can use to recover your lost data. In this article, we will discuss some of the most effective ways to recover a Excel file that was not saved.
1. Use the “Recover Unsaved Workbooks” feature in Excel
One of the simplest ways to recover an unsaved Excel file is by using the “Recover Unsaved Workbooks” feature in Excel. Here’s how to do it:
1. Open Excel and go to the “File” menu.
2. Click on “Open” and then select “Recent Workbooks.”
3. Look for the “Recover Unsaved Workbooks” option on the right side of the window.
4. Click on it, and Excel will display a list of recently unsaved workbooks.
5. Select the file you want to recover and click “Open.”
2. Check the Recycle Bin or Trash
If you have deleted the unsaved Excel file, it might still be in the Recycle Bin (on Windows) or Trash (on Mac). Here’s how to recover it:
1. On Windows, open the Recycle Bin and search for the Excel file. If you find it, right-click on the file and select “Restore.”
2. On Mac, open the Trash and search for the Excel file. If you find it, drag the file out of the Trash and drop it onto your desktop or another folder.
3. Use a file recovery tool
If the above methods don’t work, you can try using a file recovery tool. These tools can scan your computer’s hard drive and recover deleted or unsaved files. Some popular file recovery tools include:
1. Recuva: A free file recovery tool that can recover deleted files from various storage devices.
2. EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard: A powerful file recovery tool that offers a free version with limited features.
3. Disk Drill: A user-friendly file recovery tool that can recover files from various storage devices, including SSDs and USB drives.
4. Check the autosave location
Excel automatically saves your work at regular intervals. If you have enabled the autosave feature, you might be able to recover your unsaved file from the autosave location. Here’s how to find the autosave location:
1. Open Excel and go to the “File” menu.
2. Click on “Options” and then select “Save.”
3. In the “Save workbooks” section, you will find the “Autosave file location.” Click on “Change” to open the location.
5. Use the “Previous Versions” feature in Windows
If you are using Windows 10 or later, you can use the “Previous Versions” feature to restore a previous version of your Excel file. Here’s how to do it:
1. Right-click on the folder where your Excel file was saved and select “Properties.”
2. Go to the “Previous Versions” tab.
3. Look for the date and time when your file was last saved, and click on “Restore.”
By following these methods, you should be able to recover your unsaved Excel file and get back to your work without any hassle.
