Forum Discussion

epesatogmailcom's avatar
epesatogmailcom
Copper Contributor
Dec 12, 2023

missing file

created a file in Excel but it says it can't locate it. how do I locate it ?

Excel
  • NikolinoDE's avatar
    NikolinoDE
    Gold Contributor
    Dec 14, 2023

    epesatogmailcom 

    If you created a file in Excel but are unable to locate it, you can try the following steps to find it:

    1. Use File Explorer (Windows Explorer):

    • Open File Explorer on your computer.
    • Navigate to the location where you typically save your Excel files.
    • Look for the file based on its name or the date it was last modified.

    2. Search for the File:

    • Use the search function on your computer to look for the file. You can search by the file name or a keyword from the content.

    3. Check Recent Documents:

    • Open Excel and check the "Recent" list on the left side of the File tab. Your recently opened files should be listed there.

    4.Check AutoRecover Folder:

    • Excel often creates temporary backup copies of your files in the AutoRecover folder. The location of this folder depends on your Excel version and operating system.
      • For Excel 2016 and later on Windows: C:\Users\[Username]\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Office\UnsavedFiles
      • For Excel on Mac: Users/[Username]/Library/Containers/com.microsoft.Excel/Data/Library/Preferences/AutoRecovery

    5.Use Windows Search:

    • Use the search feature on your computer by clicking the magnifying glass or the search icon on the taskbar. Enter keywords or the file name to initiate a search.

    6. Check Recycle Bin:

    • If you accidentally deleted the file, check the Recycle Bin (Trash) on your desktop. If the file is there, you can restore it.

    7. Check Cloud Storage:

    • If you use cloud storage services like OneDrive, Google Drive, or Dropbox, check the respective folders for your file.

    8. Check Backup Locations:

    • If you regularly back up your files, check your backup locations for the file.

    9. Use Excel's Recent Documents Feature:

    • Open Excel and go to the "File" tab. Check the "Recent" list for the file.

    10. Check Temporary Folder:

    • Sometimes, Excel saves temporary files in a designated temporary folder. The location can vary based on your operating system and Excel version.

    If none of these methods help you locate the file, it's possible that the file was accidentally deleted or saved in a different location. The text and steps was created with the help of AI.

     

     Hope this will help you.

     

    Was the answer useful? Mark as best response and like it!

    This will help all forum participants.

Resources