Can I recover a spreadsheet I accidently deleted?

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.