Can I recover a spreadsheet I accidently deleted?

As the other contributer already pointed out some ways to recover this file.

One additional way could be the Preservation Hold Library if this file was for example in a SharePoint or OneDrive Library. To Access this you will need to be a SharePoint Administrator. If you do not hold this row someone in your company may help you with this.

From there you should be able to recover the last version.

Ugh, I’ve done that before—it’s the worst! I used Aissesoft Data Recovery, and it totally saved my lost spreadsheet. Super easy and quick, definitely worth checking out!

I followed this guide:

https://www.egardget.com/recover-deleted-excel-file

I know there are several methods you can try to recover a deleted spreadsheet, depending on how and where it was deleted. Here are some potential options.

Method 1: Check the Recycle Bin

If you deleted the file recently, it might still be in the Recycle Bin or Trash. Open the Recycle Bin (Windows) or Trash (Mac), locate your spreadsheet, right-click on it, and select "Restore."

Method 2: File Recovery Software

If the file is not in the Recycle Bin or Trash, you can use file recovery software to scan your hard drive for deleted files.

Method 3: Look for Backups

If you use cloud storage services (like Google Drive, OneDrive, or Dropbox), check there for automatically saved versions or backups.

If you have a backup system set up on your computer (like Windows File History or Time Machine on Mac), you can restore the file from there.

Method 4: Check for Auto-Saved Versions

Some programs, like Microsoft Excel, have an auto-save feature. Open Excel and go to "File" > "Open" > "Recent" and look for a "Recover Unsaved Workbooks" option.

Method 5: Search for Temporary Files

Sometimes, files are saved as temporary files. Search your computer for files with a ".tmp" extension or look in the temporary files directory (usually found in C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\Temp on Windows).

Method 6: Use Version History

If you were using a cloud app (like Google Sheets), check the version history to see if you can restore an earlier version.

There are effective ways to recover accidentally deleted Excel spreadsheets on Windows PC. Also remember that the sooner you attempt recovery after deletion, the higher the chances of success. Avoid using the drive or location where the file was stored to minimize the risk of overwriting the deleted data.

I have encountered a similar situation before. I accidentally deleted a very important Excel file. I was about to collapse at that time. But later I tried several methods and really saved the file. Share two reliable methods to help you recover deleted Excel file.

Solution 1: Check the Recycle Bin
Don't underestimate the Recycle Bin, this is actually the fastest way!
Once I accidentally deleted a financial table due to a tremor in my hand, and hurried to the Recycle Bin to look for it, but the file was lying there. Just right-click "Restore" and it was done in a few seconds! However, this trick only works if the Recycle Bin is not emptied.

Solution 2: Use File History or AutoSave
If the Recycle Bin cannot be found, you can try Excel's AutoSave function or Windows' File History function:

Excel AutoSave:
Open Excel, select File -> Info -> Manage Workbooks, and see if there is an automatically saved version. I have tried it before, and this function is simply a lifesaver.

File History:
Once I emptied the Recycle Bin and found that there was no backup. At that time, I was half disappointed. Later I found that the File History function that comes with Windows can recover deleted files! Right click the folder -> "Restore previous version", done!

If you accidentally delete an Excel file, don't panic! First check the Recycle Bin, then use Autosave or File History, these methods can help you recover deleted Excel file, hope it helps you! 😊

LinsterBee Start by navigating to the "File" tab in Excel. From there, click on "Open."

Within the "Open" dialog, head to the "Recent" section on the left. This is where you'll find a list of recently accessed files. Keep an eye out for your deleted file in this list.

If your deleted sheet pops up in the "Recent" files, a simple click will open it, allowing you to recover your work.

However, if the file isn't in the "Recent" section, let's check the "Recycle Bin" or "Deleted Items" on your OneDrive or SharePoint account. Visit your OneDrive or SharePoint account online and locate the "Recycle Bin" or "Deleted Items" section.

In this space, see if your deleted Excel file is present. If so, select it and opt to restore it.

Now, in case your file wasn't stored on OneDrive or SharePoint, and you didn't maintain a backup, recovering it might be a bit challenging. This emphasizes the importance of regular backups to prevent such data loss in the future.

As an additional measure, explore the Windows Recycle Bin, and check if the sheet was inadvertently hidden. Right-click on any sheet's tab, select "Unhide," and look for the deleted sheet.

Should these steps fall short, you may need to recreate the sheet. This underscores the wisdom of regularly saving backups or preserving different versions of your work.

In the event that these efforts prove futile and the sheet seems lost, it's a reminder to incorporate regular backup practices (i use nakivo for it) and exercise caution when performing actions like sheet deletion in Excel.

Remember, the ability to recover deleted files can vary based on your organization's settings and retention policies. Keeping these practices in mind will not only help recover lost data but also prevent such incidents in the future.

LinsterBee 

If you have accidentally deleted an entire sheet in Excel within Office 365, you might be able to recover it. Here is what you can try:

1. Go to the "File" tab in Excel.
2. Click on "Open."
3. In the "Recent" section on the left side, you should see a list of recently accessed files. Look for your deleted file in this list.
4. If the deleted sheet appears in the recent files, click on it to open and recover it.

If you can't find your deleted sheet in the "Recent" files, you might need to check your "OneDrive" or "SharePoint" recycle bin, if your Excel file was stored there. Here's how:

1. Go to your OneDrive or SharePoint account online.
2. Look for the "Recycle Bin" or "Deleted Items" section.
3. Check if your deleted Excel file is in the recycle bin, select it, and choose to restore it.

If your file was not stored on OneDrive or SharePoint, and you did not have a backup, it might be challenging to recover it. In such cases, it's essential to keep regular backups of your important files to prevent data loss in the future.

Here some additional steps:

1. Check the Recycle Bin (Windows): If you are using Excel on a Windows computer and you deleted the sheet recently, it may be in the Recycle Bin. You can check the Recycle Bin and restore the deleted sheet if it is there.
2. Look for Hidden Sheets: Sometimes, people accidentally hide sheets instead of deleting them. Check if the sheet is hidden. Right-click on any sheet's tab and select "Unhide" to see if the deleted sheet is listed.
3. Recreate the Sheet: If none of the above options work, you may need to recreate the sheet. This is why it is always a good practice to have backups or save versions of your work.

If you cannot recover the deleted sheet using the above methods, unfortunately, it might be lost. It is a good reminder to regularly save backups and be cautious when performing actions like deleting sheets in Excel.The text and steps were edited with the help of AI.

Remember that the ability to recover deleted files may depend on your organization's settings and retention policies.

My answers are voluntary and without guarantee!

Hope this will help you.

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