How to Recover Excel Files Not Saved
Losing unsaved Excel files can be a frustrating experience, especially when you’ve spent hours working on them. Whether due to a sudden system crash, power outage, or an accidental closure of the program, recovering these files is crucial. In this article, we will discuss various methods to help you recover Excel files that have not been saved.
1. Use the “Recover Unsaved Workbooks” Feature
Microsoft Excel has a built-in feature that allows you to recover unsaved workbooks. To use this feature, follow these steps:
1. Open Microsoft Excel.
2. Click on the “File” tab.
3. Select “Open” from the menu.
4. In the “Open” dialog box, click on the “Recent” tab.
5. Look for the “Recover Unsaved Workbooks” section at the bottom of the window.
6. Double-click on the file you want to recover.
If the file is listed, it will be opened, and you can save it by clicking on the “Save As” button.
2. Check the Recycle Bin
If you have accidentally deleted the unsaved Excel file, it might still be in the Recycle Bin. To recover it:
1. Open the Recycle Bin on your computer.
2. Locate the deleted Excel file.
3. Right-click on the file and select “Restore.”
4. The file will be restored to its original location.
3. Use File History
If you have enabled File History on your Windows computer, you can recover previous versions of your Excel files. Here’s how:
1. Open the folder where your Excel file was located.
2. Right-click on the folder and select “Restore previous versions.”
3. A list of available versions will appear. Select the version you want to recover.
4. Click on “Restore” to save the file to its original location or a new location.
4. Use a File Recovery Tool
If the above methods don’t work, you can try using a file recovery tool. There are many free and paid options available online. Some popular file recovery tools for Excel files include:
– Recuva
– EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard
– Disk Drill
To use a file recovery tool:
1. Download and install the file recovery tool of your choice.
2. Run the tool and select the location where your Excel file was saved.
3. Start the scanning process.
4. Once the scan is complete, locate the unsaved Excel file and recover it.
5. Backup Regularly
To prevent future data loss, it’s essential to backup your Excel files regularly. You can use external hard drives, cloud storage services, or network-attached storage (NAS) devices to store your files. This way, even if you lose an unsaved file, you can always recover it from the backup.
In conclusion, there are several methods to recover unsaved Excel files. By using the “Recover Unsaved Workbooks” feature, checking the Recycle Bin, using File History, employing a file recovery tool, and regularly backing up your files, you can minimize the risk of losing important data.
