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Horsfzo's avatar
Horsfzo
Copper Contributor
Jul 01, 2024

Spreadsheet has dissapeared

Hi,  I've come to use a spreadsheet i made last year and updated monthly up until around July 2023. Ive come to use it again and cant find it anywhere, I've checked the cloud drive, recycle bin its ...
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NikolinoDE's avatar
NikolinoDE
Gold Contributor
Jul 09, 2024

Horsfzo 

There are several steps you can take to try to recover it. Here are some methods to help you find or recover your lost Excel file:

1. Search Your Computer Thoroughly

  • Search by Name or Extension: Use the search functionality in Windows Explorer or macOS Finder to look for the file by name or by extension (.xlsx).
    • Open File Explorer.
    • In the search bar, type *.xlsx and press Enter.
    • Open Finder.
    • In the search bar, type .xlsx.
    • In Windows:
    • In macOS:
  • Check Recently Accessed Files:
    • Open Excel.
    • Go to File > Open > Recent to see if the file is listed there.

2. Check OneDrive/Cloud Storage

If you use OneDrive or another cloud storage service, the file might be stored there. Sometimes files get moved or deleted by accident, so checking the cloud's recycle bin or trash can be helpful.

  • OneDrive:
    • Go to the OneDrive website.
    • Check the Recycle bin for any deleted files.
  • Google Drive:
    • Go to Google Drive.
    • Check the Trash for any deleted files.

3. Check Excel’s AutoRecover Feature

Excel has an AutoRecover feature that can help you recover unsaved workbooks.

  • Open Excel.
  • Go to File > Info.
  • Look for the Manage Workbook section.
  • Click Recover Unsaved Workbooks.

4. Use Windows File History or Previous Versions

If you have File History or System Restore enabled, you might be able to recover a previous version of the file.

  • Windows File History:
    • Right-click the folder where the file was stored.
    • Select Properties.
    • Go to the Previous Versions tab.
    • Select a version from before the file went missing and click Restore.
  • System Restore:
    • Open Control Panel.
    • Go to System and Security > System.
    • Click System Protection on the left.
    • Click System Restore and follow the prompts to restore your system to a point when the file existed.

5. Check the Recycle Bin

Files deleted accidentally might still be in the Recycle Bin.

  • Open the Recycle Bin on your desktop.
  • Look for your file, right-click it, and select Restore.

6. Check Backup Services

If you use any backup software (like Acronis, Backblaze, etc.), check their restore options to see if you can recover the file from a previous backup.

7. Third-Party Recovery Tools

As a last resort, you can use third-party file recovery software to try to recover the lost file.

Summary

Here’s a recap of the steps to try:

  1. Search your computer thoroughly for .xlsx files.
  2. Check cloud storage services like OneDrive or Google Drive.
  3. Use Excel’s AutoRecover feature.
  4. Use Windows File History or Previous Versions.
  5. Check the Recycle Bin.
  6. Check backup services if you have them.
  7. Consider third-party recovery tools if the above methods fail.

Hopefully, one of these methods will help you recover your important spreadsheet. The text and steps were edited with the help of AI.

 

My answers are voluntary and without guarantee!

 

Hope this will help you.

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