How to Retrieve and Restore an Older Version of an Excel File- A Step-by-Step Guide

How to recover an older version of an Excel file

Accidentally deleting or overwriting an important Excel file can be a nightmare, especially if it contains crucial data. But don’t worry; there are several methods you can use to recover an older version of an Excel file. In this article, we will discuss the most effective ways to restore your lost Excel files.

1. Use the “Previous Versions” feature in Windows

One of the simplest ways to recover an older version of an Excel file is by using the “Previous Versions” feature in Windows. This feature allows you to restore your files to a previous state before they were modified or deleted.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Right-click on the Excel file you want to recover and select “Properties” from the context menu.
2. Go to the “Previous Versions” tab.
3. Check the box next to the version of the file you want to restore.
4. Click “Restore” to recover the older version of the Excel file.

2. Use the “Undo” feature in Excel

Another quick way to recover an older version of an Excel file is by using the “Undo” feature. If you have made a few changes to the file and want to revert to a previous state, you can use this feature to undo your actions.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Open the Excel file.
2. Go to the “Home” tab.
3. Click on the “Undo” button or press “Ctrl + Z” to undo the last action.
4. Repeat the process to undo multiple actions and restore the file to a previous state.

3. Use the “AutoRecover” feature in Excel

Excel has an “AutoRecover” feature that automatically saves your files at regular intervals. If you have enabled this feature, you can recover an older version of your Excel file from the AutoRecover folder.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Open Excel and go to the “File” tab.
2. Select “Open” and then click on “Recent” on the left side.
3. Look for the “AutoRecover” section and click on the file you want to recover.
4. Click “Open” to restore the older version of the Excel file.

4. Use a third-party data recovery tool

If the above methods don’t work, you can try using a third-party data recovery tool to recover your lost Excel file. These tools are designed to scan your hard drive and recover deleted or lost files, including Excel files.

Here are some popular third-party data recovery tools:

• Recuva
• Stellar Data Recovery
• EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard

Remember to choose a reputable and reliable data recovery tool to ensure the safety of your data.

In conclusion, recovering an older version of an Excel file is not an impossible task. By using the methods outlined in this article, you can restore your lost Excel files and retrieve the crucial data you need.