How to recover deleted files in Excel
Dealing with deleted files in Excel can be a stressful situation, especially when the files contain important data. Whether you’ve accidentally deleted a sheet, a range of cells, or an entire workbook, there are several methods you can use to recover your lost data. In this article, we’ll discuss the most effective ways to recover deleted files in Excel, ensuring that your valuable information is not lost forever.
1. Use the “Undo” feature
The first and simplest method to recover deleted files in Excel is to use the “Undo” feature. This feature allows you to revert back to the previous state of your workbook. To use the “Undo” feature, follow these steps:
- Press “Ctrl + Z” on your keyboard to undo the last action.
- Keep pressing “Ctrl + Z” until the deleted file is recovered.
2. Check the “Recycle Bin” or “Trash” folder
When you delete a file in Excel, it is often moved to the “Recycle Bin” (on Windows) or “Trash” folder (on Mac). To recover your deleted file, follow these steps:
- Open the “Recycle Bin” or “Trash” folder on your computer.
- Locate the deleted Excel file.
- Right-click on the file and select “Restore” (on Windows) or drag the file back to its original location (on Mac).
3. Use the “Previous Versions” feature
Windows users can also take advantage of the “Previous Versions” feature to recover deleted files in Excel. This feature allows you to restore a file to a previous state from a system restore point. To use “Previous Versions,” follow these steps:
- Right-click on the Excel file and select “Properties” from the context menu.
- Go to the “Previous Versions” tab.
- Select a previous version of the file and click “Restore” to recover the deleted data.
4. Utilize the “Autosave” feature
Excel automatically saves your work at regular intervals, which means you might have an autosaved version of the deleted file. To recover the file using the autosave feature, follow these steps:
- Open Excel and go to the “File” menu.
- Select “Open” and then “Recent” from the dropdown menu.
- Look for the autosaved version of your file in the list of recent files and open it.
5. Use a third-party data recovery tool
If the above methods do not work, you can try using a third-party data recovery tool. These tools are designed to recover deleted files from various storage devices, including Excel files. Some popular data recovery tools include:
- Recuva
- EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard
- Stellar Data Recovery
When using a third-party data recovery tool, follow the instructions provided by the software to recover your deleted Excel files.
In conclusion, recovering deleted files in Excel can be achieved through various methods, including the “Undo” feature, checking the “Recycle Bin” or “Trash” folder, using the “Previous Versions” feature, utilizing the “Autosave” feature, and using a third-party data recovery tool. By following these steps, you can ensure that your lost data is not permanently deleted and can be recovered with minimal effort.
