Method 1A: Using File > Open

1. Open Excel and click on the File tab in the top-left corner
2. Select Open from the left sidebar menu
3. Click the Recent option
4. Scroll to the bottom of the recent files list and click Recover Unsaved Workbooks
5. Browse through the available files, select the one you need, and click Open
6. When the file opens, use Save As to save it properly to your desired location

Method 1B: Using Manage Workbook

1. Open Excel and click on the File tab
2. Select Info from the left sidebar
3. Click the Manage Workbook button
4. Select Recover Unsaved Workbooks from the dropdown menu
5. Locate and select your unsaved file, then click Open
6. Save the recovered file using Save As to a secure location

Method 1C: Using File > Open

1. Open Word and click the File tab
2. Select Open from the left sidebar
3. Click Recent to view recent documents
4. At the bottom of the list, click Recover Unsaved Documents
5. Browse through the files, select your document, and click Open
6. Use Save As to save the recovered document properly

Method 1D: Using Info > Manage Document

1. Open Word and click the File tab
2. Select Info from the sidebar
3. Click Manage Document
4. Select Recover Unsaved Documents from the dropdown
5. Select your document from the dialog box that appears
6. Click Open and then save the document properly

⚠️ Important Note: Both Excel and Word typically retain unsaved files for about 4 days, though this can vary depending on your system settings and available disk space. For the best chance of recovery, attempt these methods as soon as possible after losing your file.

Method 2A: Using Document Recovery Pane

When Excel or Word crashes and you reopen the application, it should automatically display the Document Recovery pane with available recovered versions:

1. Restart the application after a crash
2. Look for the Document Recovery pane that appears on the left side
3. Review the available versions (typically labeled as “Original” and “AutoRecover”)
4. Click on each version to preview its contents
5. Select the most complete version and save it to a secure location

Method 2B: Manually Accessing AutoRecover Files

If the Document Recovery pane doesn’t appear or doesn’t contain your file, you can directly access the AutoRecover location:

1. Open File Explorer and paste the AutoRecover file location noted earlier
2. Look for files with extensions like .asd or .auto
3. For Excel files, look for filenames with patterns like “AutoRecovery save of [filename].xlsx”
4. For Word documents, search for “AutoRecovery save of [document name].asd”
5. Double-click the file or drag it into the appropriate application
6. Use Save As to preserve the recovered file

⚠️ Pro Tip: If you can’t find your AutoRecover files at the specified location, they might have been moved to the temporary files folder. Check Method 3 for information on accessing temporary file locations.

1. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog
2. Type %temp% and press Enter
3. This opens the temporary files location (usually C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\Temp)
4. Sort files by date (click the “Date modified” column) to find the most recent ones
5. Look for files with extensions like .tmp, .chk, .~tmp, or files with no extension
6. Alternatively, search for files modified around the time you were working on your document

Identifying Excel Temporary Files

Excel temporary files typically follow these patterns:

• Files starting with ~$ followed by the name of your workbook
• Files with names like Excel_AutoRecovery_*.xlsb
• Files with random alphanumeric names and .tmp extensions that are substantial in size

Recovering Excel Files from Temporary Files

1. Right-click on the temporary file and select Copy
2. Paste it to a different location (like your Desktop)
3. Rename the file, changing its extension to .xlsx or .xls
4. Double-click the file to open it in Excel
5. If Excel can’t open it directly, try using File > Open in Excel and select All Files (*.*) from the file type dropdown

Identifying Word Temporary Files

Word temporary files typically have these characteristics:

• Files beginning with ~WRD followed by numbers
• Files starting with ~$ followed by the document name
• Files with .asd extension in the AutoRecover location

Recovering Word Documents from Temporary Files

1. Copy the temporary file to another location
2. Rename the file with a .docx or .doc extension
3. Try opening it directly with Word
4. If that doesn’t work, open Word and use File > Open > Browse
5. Change the file type filter to All Files (*.*)
6. Navigate to your copied file and try to open it

⚠️ Advanced Tip: If changing the file extension doesn’t work, try opening the file with a text editor like Notepad++. If you see recognizable text or XML content, it might be salvageable. For Excel files, you may need specialized recovery software (see Method 7) to extract data from binary temporary files.

In most cases, the Document Recovery pane appears automatically when you restart Excel or Word after a crash. However, if it doesn’t appear:

For Excel:

1. Open Excel
2. Click File > Open
3. Click Recent and look for a “Recovered” section at the top of the list

For Word:

1. Launch Word
2. Click File > Open
3. Click Recent and check for recovered documents at the top

When the Document Recovery pane appears, you’ll typically see multiple versions of your file:

• Original: The last manually saved version of your file
• AutoRecover: Automatically saved versions created by AutoRecover
• [Available]: Files that were open but not modified since the last save

Each file entry typically includes:

• A timestamp indicating when the version was saved
• File location information
• Status information (like “AutoRecovered”)

1. Review all available versions before making a decision. Click on each one to preview its contents.
2. Save recovered files immediately with a new name to prevent accidental overwriting.
3. Don’t close the recovery pane until you’ve examined all options—closing it may discard some recovery options.
4. Compare file sizes and timestamps to identify the most complete version.
5. If unsure, save all versions with different names (e.g., “Document_recovered1.docx”, “Document_recovered2.docx”) for later comparison.

⚠️ Critical Note: The Document Recovery pane is typically only available immediately after a crash. If you’ve already closed and reopened the application multiple times since the crash, this option may no longer be available. In such cases, proceed to methods 5-7.

For OneDrive Personal or Business:

1. Go to OneDrive.com and sign in with your Microsoft account
2. Navigate to the folder containing your Excel or Word file
3. Right-click on the file and select Version history
4. A panel will open showing previous versions with timestamps
5. Click on a version to preview it
6. Click Restore to revert to that version, or Download to save it as a separate file

For Files Stored in Google Drive:

1. Visit drive.google.com and log in
2. Locate and right-click your file
3. Select Manage versions or Version history
4. Review the available versions with their timestamps
5. Click on the three-dot menu next to a version
6. Select Download to save that version to your computer

For Dropbox Users:

1. Log in to Dropbox.com
2. Navigate to your file and click on it to view details
3. Click on Version history in the right sidebar
4. Browse through the available versions
5. Click Restore next to the version you want to revert to
6. Alternatively, download the specific version to your computer

If you’re a Microsoft 365 subscriber and have AutoSave enabled for files stored in OneDrive or SharePoint:

1. Open the Excel or Word application
2. Click File > Info > Version History
3. A panel will open on the right showing all saved versions with timestamps
4. Click on any version to view its contents
5. Use Restore to revert to that version
6. Alternatively, use Save As to keep both versions

⚠️ Important: Cloud recovery options only work for files that were previously saved to cloud storage. For files that were never saved at all, you’ll need to rely on the local recovery methods described in Methods 1-4 or use third-party recovery software (Method 7).

1. Open the Recycle Bin by double-clicking its icon on your desktop
2. Sort files by Date Deleted to find recently deleted items more easily
3. Alternatively, use the search bar to look for your file by name
4. Once you locate your Excel or Word file, right-click on it
5. Select Restore to send it back to its original location
6. Alternatively, drag and drop the file to a different location to recover it there

If you’ve just deleted a file, you may be able to restore it immediately:

1. Immediately after deleting a file, press Ctrl+Z on your keyboard
2. This keyboard shortcut activates the “Undo” function, which can reverse a recent deletion

If you have Windows File History enabled, you can recover previous versions of files:

1. Open File Explorer and navigate to the folder where the file was stored
2. Click the Home tab in the ribbon
3. Click History (or press Alt+H, then H)
4. Browse through the available versions of your files
5. Select the version you want to restore
6. Click the Restore button to recover it to its original location

⚠️ Note: If you can’t find your deleted file in the Recycle Bin, it might have been permanently deleted (using Shift+Delete) or the Recycle Bin might have been emptied. In such cases, you’ll need to use third-party recovery software as described in Method 7.

1. Download and install a reputable recovery software from the official website
2. Launch the application with administrator privileges
3. Select the drive or location where your Excel or Word file was stored
4. Choose the scan type (quick scan for recently deleted files, deep scan for more thorough recovery)
5. Specify file types to search for (Excel or Word files) if the option is available
6. Start the scan and wait for the process to complete
7. Preview recoverable files to identify your lost document
8. Select the file(s) you want to recover
9. Save the recovered files to a different drive or location to prevent overwriting any recoverable data

⚠️ Critical Warning: To maximize recovery chances, stop using the drive or device that contained your lost files immediately. Every new file written to the drive could potentially overwrite your lost data, making recovery impossible. Always save recovered files to a different drive than the one you’re recovering from.

1. Enable AutoSave for Microsoft 365 subscribers by saving files to OneDrive or SharePoint
2. Configure AutoRecover to save information more frequently:
   • Open Excel or Word and go to File > Options > Save
   • Ensure “Save AutoRecover information every X minutes” is checked
   • Set the interval to 1-5 minutes (lower values provide better protection)
3. Enable “Keep the last autosaved version if I close without saving” option
4. Verify the AutoRecover file location is on your primary drive

1. Use Ctrl+S frequently while working (aim to save every few minutes or after completing significant changes)
2. Save before performing complex operations like sorting, filtering, or using macros
3. Create a new file immediately upon starting work, even with minimal content
4. Use descriptive filenames that include dates or version numbers
5. Avoid using special characters in filenames that might cause saving issues

1. Use cloud storage services like OneDrive, Google Drive, or Dropbox for automatic syncing
2. Enable versioning features in your cloud storage service
3. Create manual backups of important files to external drives
4. Use Windows File History for automatic local backup:
   • Go to Settings > Update & Security > Backup
   • Add an external drive and turn on File History
5. Consider dedicated backup software for critical business documents

1. Use UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) to prevent work loss during power outages
2. Keep your operating system and Office applications updated to avoid bugs that might cause crashes
3. Create document templates for frequently used formats to reduce time lost remaking documents
4. Consider Excel/Word add-ins that provide additional auto-saving functionality
5. Regularly check for temporary file buildup and clean your temp folders when your applications are closed

💡 Pro Tip: For extremely important documents, consider using the “Save As” command periodically to create numbered versions (e.g., “Financial_Report_v1.xlsx”, “Financial_Report_v2.xlsx”). This creates a history of your work that you can fall back on if needed.

Possible causes and solutions:

• The AutoRecover feature might have been disabled. Check your Office application settings.
• The temporary files may have been cleaned up by disk cleanup tools. Try Method 7 (third-party recovery software).
• The file might not have been worked on long enough to trigger an AutoRecover save. In this case, recovery may not be possible.
• Try searching your entire computer for files with .asd (Word) or .xlk (Excel) extensions, which are AutoRecover file formats.

Solutions to try:

• Use built-in repair features: Open Excel/Word, go to File > Open, select your file, click the dropdown arrow next to the Open button, and select “Open and Repair.”
• For Excel files, try importing the data into a new workbook: Create a new Excel file, go to Data > Get Data > From File > From Workbook, and select the damaged file.
• For Word, try opening the file in Draft mode: Open Word, go to View tab, select Draft view, then try to open your file.
• Try specialized file repair software like Stellar Repair for Excel or Stellar Repair for Word.

Try these advanced search techniques:

1. Search by creation date: Press Win+S, type “created:”, followed by the approximate date range (e.g., “created:2024/3/20 .. 2024/3/21”).
2. Search by file size: For large Excel or Word files, search for files larger than a specific size (e.g., size:>5MB).
3. Use advanced search tools like Agent Ransack or Everything that can search by content and file properties.
4. Check additional temporary file locations:
   • C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Excel
   • C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Word
   • C:\Users\[YourUsername]\Documents\Office Scripts

Possible fixes:

1. Force Excel/Word to check for recoverable files:
   • Hold the Ctrl key while launching the application
   • This sometimes triggers the recovery mode manually
2. Check if the application is configured to show the recovery pane:
   • Go to File > Options > Save
   • Ensure “Show document recovery pane when opening files” is enabled
3. Restart your computer completely (not just the application) and then reopen Excel/Word.
4. If the above doesn’t work, proceed directly to the manual recovery methods (Methods 3, 5, or 7).

⚠️ Important: If you’ve tried all the recovery methods and troubleshooting tips without success, consider consulting with a professional data recovery service, especially if the lost data is critically important. These services have specialized equipment and clean-room environments that can sometimes recover data when software methods fail.

“I was working on our company’s quarterly financial analysis in Excel for over 6 hours straight. It was nearly finished when suddenly my laptop crashed due to an unexpected Windows update. When I restarted, my heart sank as I realized I hadn’t saved the file at all—not even once. I was facing the prospect of redoing the entire day’s work.”

“Following the steps in this guide, I first checked the Document Recovery pane, but unfortunately, it didn’t show my file. Then I tried Method 3—finding temporary files manually. I navigated to the temporary files folder and sorted by date modified. After about 10 minutes of searching, I found a large .tmp file that had been modified at the time I was working.

“I followed the instructions to copy and rename it with an .xlsx extension, and to my amazement, when I opened it in Excel, about 95% of my work was there! I only had to redo the last 20 minutes of analysis. This saved me hours of work and helped me meet my deadline. I’ve now set AutoRecover to save every 2 minutes and make a point of using Ctrl+S regularly!”

— Sarah K., Financial Analyst

Sarah’s experience highlights several important points from this guide:

1. Even when the Document Recovery pane fails to show your files, manual recovery methods can still work.
2. Temporary files often contain most of your recent work, even for files that were never saved.
3. Sorting files by date modified is crucial for finding relevant temporary files quickly.
4. The size of temporary files can be a good indicator—larger files often contain more substantive work.
5. Prevention strategies like frequent saving and optimal AutoRecover settings are essential for avoiding future issues.

1. Use the Recover Unsaved Files feature — The quickest, most straightforward approach built directly into Excel and Word.
2. Check AutoRecover files — Works especially well if you had AutoRecover configured properly before the incident.
3. Find temporary files manually — Requires more effort but can recover files that other methods miss.
4. Use the Document Recovery pane — Automatically appears after crashes but may not show all recoverable files.
5. Check cloud storage version history — Excellent for recovering previous versions of saved files.
6. Restore from Recycle Bin or File History — Perfect for recovering accidentally deleted files.
7. Use third-party recovery software — The most powerful but complex approach for difficult recovery scenarios.

Final Thought: The best recovery strategy is prevention. Take time today to optimize your Excel and Word settings using the prevention strategies outlined above. Your future self will thank you when the inevitable computer crash or power outage occurs!

How long does Excel or Word keep unsaved files?

Excel and Word typically retain unsaved files for about 4 days, though this can vary depending on your system settings and available disk space. The temporary files are usually stored in the AutoRecover file location specified in your application settings. For the best chance of recovery, try to recover your file as soon as possible after losing it.

Can I recover Excel or Word files after a computer crash?

Yes, you can often recover files after a computer crash using Excel and Word’s built-in recovery features. When you restart the application after a crash, it should automatically display the Document Recovery pane with available recovered files. If this doesn’t happen, you can manually access unsaved files through File > Open > Recover Unsaved Workbooks/Documents or by searching in the temporary files locations as described in Method 3.

Will Excel or Word recovery work if I never saved the file at all?

Yes, even if you never saved the file, recovery is often possible. Excel and Word create temporary files during your working session that can be recovered using the “Recover Unsaved Workbooks/Documents” feature or by searching temporary file locations manually. The success rate depends on how long you worked on the file before losing it—longer work sessions typically create more recoverable temporary files.

What’s the difference between AutoSave and AutoRecover in Office applications?

AutoSave and AutoRecover are distinct features with different functionality:

• AutoSave continuously saves your work every few seconds when enabled and is available only for Microsoft 365 subscribers working on files stored in OneDrive or SharePoint.
• AutoRecover creates periodic backup copies at intervals you specify (typically every 10 minutes by default) and works for all Excel and Word files regardless of storage location. It’s designed as a backup in case of crashes, not as a continuous saving mechanism.

Can I recover a previous version of a file that I accidentally saved over?

Yes, there are several ways to recover previous versions of files that were accidentally overwritten:

• If the file is stored in cloud storage (OneDrive, Google Drive, Dropbox), use the version history feature as described in Method 5.
• If you have Windows File History enabled, you can recover previous versions as outlined in Method 6.
• If neither of these options is available, third-party file recovery software (Method 7) might be able to recover previous versions, though with lower success rates for overwritten files.

Do these recovery methods work for Excel and Word on Mac?

Many of these recovery methods work similarly on Mac, with some variations:

• On Mac, AutoRecover files are stored in different locations—typically in ~/Library/Containers/com.microsoft.Excel/Data/Library/Preferences/AutoRecovery for Excel and similar paths for Word.
• To access unsaved files on Mac, use File > Open Recent > Recover Unsaved Workbooks/Documents.
• Mac users can also leverage Time Machine for recovering previous versions if it’s configured.
• There are Mac-specific recovery applications available, such as Disk Drill for Mac or Data Rescue.

Can I recover files from a corrupted Excel or Word file?

Yes, corrupted Excel or Word files can often be repaired using built-in or third-party tools:

• Use the built-in repair feature: Open Excel or Word, go to File > Open, select the file, click the dropdown arrow next to the Open button, and select “Open and Repair.”
• For Excel files, try importing the data: Create a new workbook and use Data > Get Data > From File > From Workbook to import data from the corrupted file.
• For Word documents, try opening in draft mode or using the “Recover Text from Any File” option in the Open dialog.
• Specialized repair software like Stellar Repair for Excel/Word can recover content from severely corrupted files.

How can I prevent losing my Excel or Word files in the future?

Implement these preventive measures to minimize the risk of losing important files:

• Configure AutoSave (Microsoft 365) and/or AutoRecover with shorter intervals (3-5 minutes).
• Develop the habit of saving frequently using Ctrl+S.
• Store important files in cloud storage services with version history.
• Create regular backups to external drives or backup services.
• Enable Windows File History or Mac Time Machine for automatic backups.
• Use UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) to prevent work loss during power outages.