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John Murphy's avatar
John Murphy
Copper Contributor
Aug 14, 2024

Lost an important workbook

I shut down Excel for the Windows Update yesterday August 13, 2024.  One of the files that was an active workbook is missing. I thought everything was saved. I expected to see the file in the recently used list. It had been pushed of due to loading several other files. I increased the size of the list from 10 to 30, more than enough, but still couldn't find it. So, I searched for it on OneDrive, and my c: drive and a usb drive. It is nowhere. I keep this file loaded all the time and expected to be able to re-open it with no problem, because it would be in the recently used file list. I used to always save the file in a specific location on my c: drive, but I started to trust OneDrive to put it wherever. I didn't really pay attention to where it was stored. I never needed to before because it was always there in the recent files list opening excel. The only reason I closed excel was because of the update. Any ideas of where I can locate it? Could the update be the problem? The file is the one most important excel file which I use daily.

excel
  • NikolinoDE's avatar
    NikolinoDE
    Gold Contributor
    Aug 17, 2024

    John Murphy 

    Here are some steps you can take to try and locate your missing file:

    1. Check Excel's AutoRecover Feature:
    • Open Excel and go to File > Open > Recent > Recover Unsaved Workbooks. Excel saves temporary versions of files in case they weren’t saved properly. This is especially useful if Excel crashed or the system shut down unexpectedly.
    1. Search Hidden or Temp Files:
    • Use the Windows search function to look for temporary files or backups:
      • Search in the Temp folder: Press Windows + R, type %temp% and hit Enter. Look for files with random names that might be your workbook.
      • Search for Excel temp files: Use the search in File Explorer with terms like *.xls, *.xlsx, or even *.tmp to find any potentially hidden or temporary versions of your file.
      • Check hidden files and folders: Ensure that hidden files and folders are visible by going to View > Hidden items in File Explorer.
    1. Check OneDrive Recycle Bin:
    • If you were relying on OneDrive, the file might have been accidentally deleted:
      • Go to OneDrive online (via browser) and check the Recycle Bin. If the file was deleted, you might be able to restore it from there.
    1. Use File History or Previous Versions (if enabled):
    • If you have File History or Previous Versions enabled on Windows:
      • Navigate to the folder where you typically save your Excel files.
      • Right-click the folder and choose Restore previous versions. This will allow you to restore an earlier version of the folder or file.
    1. Check Recent Files in Excel (Across Devices):
    • Sometimes, files opened on different devices might not show up in the recent list on another device. Ensure you are looking at the correct recent file list on the correct device.
    1. Search by File Type and Date Modified:
    • In File Explorer, search for .xls or .xlsx files and sort the results by Date Modified. This will help you locate any recently saved Excel files, even if you’re unsure of the name or location.
    1. Look in the Excel Start Screen:
    • When you open Excel, the Start Screen usually shows recent files. If you expanded your recent files list, ensure you're also checking this screen thoroughly.
    1. Windows Update and File Issues:
    • It’s rare, but possible, that a Windows update could interfere with file locations or even cause corruption. Check if the update has caused any known issues by searching online for any reports.
    1. Third-Party Recovery Tools:
    • If all else fails, you might consider using a file recovery tool like R ecuva or Disk Drill to scan your drives for deleted or lost files.
    1. Contact OneDrive Support:
    • If you strongly suspect that OneDrive might have moved or deleted the file, you could try contacting OneDrive support. They may be able to assist in locating or recovering the file.

    If you’ve tried all the above and still cannot find the file, it’s possible that it was inadvertently deleted or moved to an unexpected location. Using a recovery tool or checking with Microsoft Support may be your next best steps. 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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