[Must Read] How to Recover Deleted/Corrupted Excel File? - Best Recovery for Excel

by Lorena Hill

Updated on 2023-05-11

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5min read

Excel is a widely used software application for creating and managing spreadsheets. However, there are instances where you might accidentally delete or corrupt an Excel file, leading to the loss of important data. In such situations, it is important to have a reliable recovery solution to retrieve the lost files.

This article provides a comprehensive guide on how to recover deleted or corrupted Excel files using the best recovery software. We will cover step-by-step procedures on recovering Excel files, including how to use built-in recovery options and third-party tools.

Losing Excel files can be a frustrating experience, especially for business professionals or students who rely heavily on them. Having a backup plan and a reliable recovery solution in place is crucial to ensure that your data is safe and secure. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can recover your lost Excel files and avoid data loss in the future.

Part 1: Where are Recovered Excel Files Stored?

The location where recovered Excel files are stored depends on the recovery method used. If you are using the built-in recovery option in Microsoft Excel, the recovered files are usually saved in a temporary folder on your computer. The location of this folder may vary depending on your operating system.

On Windows, the recovered files are typically stored in the "C:\Users\Username\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Office\UnsavedFiles" folder. On Mac, the recovered files are usually saved in the "/Users/Username/Library/Application Support/Microsoft/Office/Office 2011 AutoRecovery" folder.

If you are using a third-party recovery software, the location of the recovered files may vary depending on the software. Some recovery software allows you to specify the location where the recovered files should be saved. It is important to note that the temporary folder where recovered Excel files are stored is usually deleted automatically after a certain period of time. Therefore, it is recommended to save the recovered files to a different location as soon as possible to avoid losing them again.

Part 2: 6 Ways for How to Recover Deleted/Corrupted Excel File?

Knowing how to recover Excel files is essential for anyone who relies heavily on these files for their work or personal life. By following the six methods outlined in this article, you can retrieve your lost or corrupted Excel files and avoid data loss in the future.

Way 1: Recover Deleted Excel File with Recovery Toolbox for Excel - Eassiy Data Recovery

A Deep Scan option is available from Eassiy Data Recovery to recover an unlimited amount of data. It can access data from more than 2000 storage devices, such as hard drives, SSDs, cameras, USB drives, SD cards, and more. Using Eassiy Data Recovery, all lost data from your computer or an external device can be swiftly restored. It can be utilized in a wide range of circumstances, including virus attacks, system crashes, inadvertent data deletion, formatting, partition loss, and more. Eassiy has two scan modes: a rapid scan and a full scan. It can restore 1000+ file types in original quality, so you won't need to worry.

Main Features:

  • Obtain real-time, high-quality recovery for more than 1000 different file types.
  • Deep scan with 98.6% success rate to obtain infinite data;
  • Simple, user-friendly interface; usable by people of all technical backgrounds.
  • High rate of data recovery for a variety of data formats, including pictures, videos, documents, and more.
  • Its thorough scan feature enables it to find and restore deleted files that other software might overlook.

Steps to recover deleted excel sheets using Eassiy:

Users can recover deleted/corrupted excel sheets with Eassiy Data Recovery. Here are the 3 simple steps to recover deleted Excel sheets with Eassiy Data Recovery.

Step 1: Select the data type.

First you need to start the Eassiy Data Recovery program on your computer. Then select the data type that needs scanning. You have to select a drive from the disk list. This will allow you to choose different data types to recover easily.

Eassiy Data Recovery step 1 | recover deleted excel file

Step 2: Review the files

From the 2 scanning options in Eassiy Data Recovery: Fast and Deep Scan. You can select the “Fast Scan” option, because it is faster and suitable for recently lost data.

Eassiy Data Recovery step 2 | recover deleted excel file

If you don’t like the scanning result, select the Deep Scan option that is more suitable for more complicated data loss scenario.

Eassiy Data Recovery step 3 | recover deleted excel file

After that, make sure that the data you want to recover is available by checking through the scanned results by “Type list” and “Path list” tab on the left.

Step 3: Preview and Recover Data

Just simply select the Excel files or any other file that you want to recover and click on the "Recover" button after the scanning is done.

Eassiy Data Recovery step 4 | recover deleted excel file

Finally save the files in a safe folder that you just recovered. As Eassiy Data Recovery is a useful and easy-to-use software that helps you recover all kinds of deleted files from any drive/folder.

Way 2: Recover Corrupted Excel File Using Excel Recent Workbooks

However, there are various methods that you can use to recover corrupted Excel files, one of which is using Excel Recent Workbooks. Excel Recent Workbooks is a feature in Microsoft Excel that allows users to access recently opened workbooks quickly. By utilizing this feature, you may be able to recover a corrupted Excel file that you were working on previously.

Step 1: Launch Excel and select File > Info.

Step 2: Choose the "Manage Workbook" option under the Info tab. Make your selection of "Recover Unsaved Workbooks" from the menu that appears.

Using Excel Recent Workbooks | recover deleted excel file

Step 3: Choose the relevant file and click Open in the following box. You can now save the unsaved Excel file on your computer to retrieve it.

Way 3: Recover Overwritten Excel File with OneDrive

With OneDrive, Microsoft's cloud-based storage and synchronization service, there is a way to recover overwritten Excel files. OneDrive automatically saves versions of files as they are edited, allowing users to restore previous versions of a file, including overwritten versions. In this article, we will explore how to recover an overwritten Excel file using OneDrive, a simple and effective solution for those who have lost important data due to accidental overwriting.

Steps to Follow:

Step 1: Start by enabling AutoSave.

with OneDrive step 1 | recover deleted excel file

Add whatever fresh data you desire to the Excel worksheet. The Excel Workbook should now be closed without saving. Then, launch the worksheet. You'll notice that the workbook does not contain your new data.

Step 2: Now launch the Office program. Your Excel Workbook's temporary files can be found in the Recent Tab. There are numerous temporary files because I worked on this file countless times. The one I choose, however, has a new data entry.

with OneDrive step 2 | recover deleted excel file

Step 3: You will then see your overwritten data. Save it now to preserve the data's information.

Hence, by generating temporary files in OneDrive, you can restore an overwritten Excel file that has no earlier version.

Way 4: Excel Document Recovery by Restoring Previous Version

If you have the File History feature enabled on your Windows computer, there may be a way to recover the lost Excel document by restoring a previous version of the file.

File History is a Windows feature that automatically backs up your files and saves previous versions of them. By utilizing this feature, you may be able to recover a lost or corrupted Excel document. In this article, we will explore the steps you can take to recover an Excel document by restoring a previous version using File History.

Step 1: You need to click on the right button of your mouse on the Excel file that needs to be recovered. Then select the "Properties" option from the “Menu”.

Step 2: Click "Restore" after selecting the version you wish to restore your file to in "Properties" under the "Previous Versions" tab.

by Restoring Previous Version | recover deleted excel file

Way 5: Recover an Excel File Using File History

If you have successfully used Windows File History to build a backup of your deleted files, the files can be restored to your System. Nevertheless, if you didn't create a backup, nothing will be found. The following are the precise steps to restore deleted files:

Step 1: Choose "File History" in the Control Panel after launching it.

Using File History step 1 | recover deleted excel file

Step 2: Click "Restore personal files" on the left side to access your backup data.

Using File History step 2 | recover deleted excel file

Step 3: Using the left and right arrows, choose the relevant files, then click the Restore button.

Using File History step 3 | recover deleted excel file

Way 6: Recover Deleted Excel Sheet Data with Command Prompt (CMD)

The CMD is a great way to get deleted excel sheets files back from recycle bin or the attrib command to find files. Here are the steps for how to undelete Command from Windows 11/10/8/7/XP:

Step 1: On Windows 10 choose "Windows PowerShell (Admin)" by pressing Windows + X.

Step 2: Type chkdsk "drive letter":/f into the Command Prompt window and hit "Enter."
(“ drive letter”is the name of the specific drive that contains the deleted files. G drive, for instance, is below.)

with Command Prompt step 1 | recover deleted excel file

Step 3:  Choose "Y" and wait for the command line to complete. Press "Enter" after entering the drive letter a second time.

Step 4: Input "attrib -h -r -s /s /d *.*" after typing it. To finish the process, kindly wait.

with Command Prompt step 2 | recover deleted excel file

Part 3: FAQ to Recover Deleted Excel File

1. Is it possible to recover a deleted Excel file?

Yes, it is possible to recover a deleted Excel file using various methods, including utilizing a backup, utilizing the Recycle Bin or Trash, and using file recovery software. If you have a backup of the Excel file, you can restore it by copying the file from the backup location and pasting it into the original location. Alternatively, you can use the backup software to restore the file.

If the Excel file is not in the Recycle Bin or Trash, you may be able to recover it using file recovery software. However, it is important to note that the chances of successful recovery may depend on how long ago the file was deleted, how frequently the computer has been used since the deletion, and whether the file was overwritten by new data.

2. Can I recover a deleted Excel file from the Recycle Bin or Trash?

You can recover a deleted Excel file from the Recycle Bin or Trash by simply right-clicking on the file and selecting "Restore" or "Undelete." However, if the file was deleted by pressing "Shift + Delete," it may not be in the Recycle Bin or Trash.

3. Can I recover a deleted Excel file if I haven't saved it?

Unfortunately, if you haven't saved the Excel file, it is unlikely that you will be able to recover it. It is always recommended to save your work regularly to prevent data loss. Additionally, some Excel versions have an AutoSave feature that can help save your work in case of accidental closing or system crashes.

Conclusion

In conclusion, losing a valuable Excel file due to accidental deletion or corruption can be a frustrating experience. However, there are various methods available to recover deleted or corrupted Excel files, such as utilizing backups, using file recovery software, and restoring previous versions. It is always recommended to save your work regularly and create backups to prevent data loss in the future.

When attempting to recover a deleted or corrupted Excel file, it is important to act quickly to increase the chances of successful recovery. Additionally, it is recommended to use reliable software and follow the proper steps to avoid further damage to the file. By utilizing these methods, you can potentially recover your lost or corrupted Excel files and avoid the stress and frustration that comes with losing important data. But we would suggest you to use “Eassiy Data Recovery software” which has the industry leading data recovery rate.

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