How to Restore Unsaved Excel Files

Losing an unsaved Excel file can be frustrating, especially after spending hours entering data, creating formulas, or formatting worksheets. Whether Excel closed unexpectedly, your computer crashed, or you accidentally clicked “Don’t Save,” the good news is that Excel provides multiple built-in recovery mechanisms designed to protect your work. In many cases, unsaved Excel files can be restored fully or partially with minimal effort.

This comprehensive guide explains how to restore unsaved Excel files using all available methods, from AutoRecover and temporary files to OneDrive version history. You will also learn how Excel’s recovery features work behind the scenes and how to configure them to prevent future data loss.

Understanding How Excel Handles Unsaved Files

Before diving into recovery steps, it is important to understand how Excel protects your data in the background.

AutoRecover vs AutoSave

Excel relies primarily on two features:

• AutoRecover: Periodically saves a temporary copy of your workbook while you work. This helps restore files after a crash or power failure.
• AutoSave: Continuously saves changes to cloud-stored files (OneDrive or SharePoint). This feature works in real time but only applies to files already saved to the cloud.

For unsaved files, AutoRecover is the most important mechanism.

Method 1: Restore Unsaved Excel Files Using the Document Recovery Pane

The most common and straightforward way to recover unsaved Excel files is through the Document Recovery pane.

When This Method Works Best

• Excel crashes unexpectedly
• Your system shuts down or restarts
• Excel closes due to a software error

Steps to Restore Using Document Recovery

1. Reopen Microsoft Excel.
2. If Excel detects unsaved work, the Document Recovery pane opens automatically.
3. You will see a list of recovered files with timestamps.
4. Click the most recent version.
5. Review the file contents.
6. Click Save As and choose a secure location.

Important Tip: Always save the recovered file immediately. Closing Excel again without saving can permanently delete the recovery file.

Method 2: Recover Unsaved Excel Files Using the “Recover Unsaved Workbooks” Option

If the Document Recovery pane does not appear, Excel still keeps temporary copies that can be accessed manually.

Steps to Recover Unsaved Workbooks

1. Open Excel.
2. Click File → Open.
3. Select Recent from the sidebar.
4. Scroll to the bottom and click Recover Unsaved Workbooks.
5. A folder containing unsaved Excel files opens.
6. Select the file you want to restore.
7. Click Open.
8. Save the file immediately using Save As.

File Format to Look For

Recovered files usually have the extension:

• .xlsb (Excel Binary Workbook)

These files are temporary but often contain most of your recent work.

Method 3: Restore Excel Files from the AutoRecover Folder

Excel stores AutoRecover files in a specific system folder. If you know where to look, you can manually retrieve unsaved work.

Default AutoRecover File Locations

Windows

C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Office\UnsavedFiles

macOS

/Users/[YourUsername]/Library/Containers/com.microsoft.Excel/Data/Library/Preferences/AutoRecovery

Steps to Access the AutoRecover Folder

1. Close Excel.

2. Navigate to the appropriate AutoRecover folder.

3. Look for files starting with:

   • AutoRecovery
   • Unsaved

4. Open the file in Excel.

5. Save it to a permanent location.

Note: The AppData and Library folders are hidden by default, so you may need to enable “Show hidden files” in your system settings.

Method 4: Recover Unsaved Excel Files from Temporary Files

Excel creates temporary files while you work. These files may remain even after Excel closes unexpectedly.

Steps to Find Temporary Excel Files (Windows)

1. Press Windows + R.
2. Type:

   %temp%

3. Press Enter.

4. Look for files with:

   • .tmp
   • .xlk
   • .xlsb

5. Sort files by Date Modified.

6. Open the most recent Excel-related files.

Limitations

Temporary files may not always contain the full workbook, but they can still help recover partial data.

Method 5: Restore Excel Files from OneDrive or SharePoint (Version History)

If your file was stored in OneDrive or SharePoint, you have an additional safety net.

Steps to Restore from Version History

1. Open OneDrive or SharePoint in your browser.
2. Locate the Excel file.
3. Right-click the file.
4. Select Version History.
5. Review previous versions.
6. Restore or download the desired version.

This method is especially useful if:

• You accidentally overwrote data
• AutoSave replaced content you want back

Method 6: Restore Unsaved Excel Files Using File History or Backup Tools

If you regularly back up your system, your unsaved or recently modified Excel files may still be recoverable.

Using Windows File History

1. Open File Explorer.
2. Navigate to the folder where the file was last saved.
3. Right-click → Restore previous versions.
4. Choose a version and restore it.

Using macOS Time Machine

1. Open the folder where the Excel file was stored.
2. Enter Time Machine.
3. Browse previous snapshots.
4. Restore the file.

Why Unsaved Excel Files Sometimes Cannot Be Recovered

While Excel’s recovery features are robust, recovery is not always guaranteed.

Common Reasons Recovery Fails

• AutoRecover was disabled
• Excel closed normally and you clicked “Don’t Save”
• The recovery file expired
• The system was shut down for an extended period
• Temporary files were overwritten

Understanding these limitations helps set realistic expectations.

How to Configure Excel to Prevent Future Data Loss

Prevention is always better than recovery. Excel allows you to customize recovery settings to minimize risk.

Enable and Adjust AutoRecover

1. Open Excel.
2. Click File → Options.
3. Select Save.
4. Ensure Save AutoRecover information every X minutes is checked.
5. Set the interval to 1–5 minutes.
6. Confirm the AutoRecover file location.

Enable AutoSave for Cloud Files

• Store files in OneDrive or SharePoint
• Turn on the AutoSave toggle at the top of Excel

Best Practices

• Save files manually (Ctrl + S) frequently
• Use descriptive file names
• Avoid working long sessions without saving
• Keep backups enabled

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I recover an Excel file that was never saved?

Yes, if AutoRecover was enabled and Excel closed unexpectedly. Use Recover Unsaved Workbooks.

How long does Excel keep unsaved files?

Unsaved files are typically stored for a short time (usually a few days) unless overwritten.

Can I recover Excel files after clicking “Don’t Save”?

Sometimes. Check the AutoRecover folder or temporary files, but success is not guaranteed.

Does AutoRecover work if Excel closes normally?

No. AutoRecover mainly works for crashes and unexpected shutdowns.

Final Thoughts

Losing an unsaved Excel file does not always mean your work is gone forever. Excel includes multiple recovery mechanisms—Document Recovery, AutoRecover folders, temporary files, and cloud version history—that often make it possible to restore lost data. Knowing where to look and acting quickly can make the difference between total loss and full recovery.

Just as important is prevention. By configuring AutoRecover settings, using cloud storage, and saving your work regularly, you can significantly reduce the risk of losing valuable Excel data in the future.

As part of your Excel workflow, consider recovery tools not as a last resort, but as a built-in safety net that ensures your time and effort are never wasted.