Excel AutoRecover: Definition and How to Use It Effectively

Many users use Excel to create workbooks. Workbooks are helpful for storing data and other information. So, losing access to or accidentally deleting Excel workbooks is indeed a disaster.

This can mean losing countless pieces of important information. Luckily, you can recover Excel files. This article will cover everything you need to know about the topic, including the Excel AutoRecovery file location. Please continue reading below to learn all the details.

Part 1. Recover Excel Files With The Document Recovery Pane

Excel has several useful built-in tools. One of these is the Document Recovery Pane, which is different from the AutoRecover folder. It is a feature that helps users retrieve unsaved Excel workbooks after an unexpected shutdown or software crash. The feature will automatically open the Document Recovery pane to help with recovery.

Open Excel after the crash. Then, wait for the Document Recovery pane to appear. Review all the files and choose the version you want to recover. Click File and choose Save As afterward.

Part 2. How to Recover Unsaved Workbooks

Excel workbooks are one of the most commonly used file types. They are commonly used to store and organize large amounts of data. In this section, you will see how to recover them if you did not have the chance to save them due to unexpected circumstances. See the steps below to know how.

Open Excel. Go to File > Info > Manage Workbook > Recover Unsaved Workbooks. A folder will appear. Select the file you want to recover, then choose File > Save As to save it.

Part 3. Recover Excel Files by Digging Into System Folders

Besides Excel's built-in tools, you can also search your system folders for unsaved Excel files. This method is more complex and time-consuming. See the steps below to know how the process is done.

Open File Explorer. Then, search for the file extension of the documents you are looking for. Later, go to the AutoRecover folder of the computer. Select File and Open. Click Options. Select Save. Finally, the computer will start to recover your unsaved Excel files.

Part 4. Recover Excel Files by Reverting to Version History

Excel has other features for recovering documents from before a shutdown or crash. You can also revert to a previous version of your Excel document. Below are the steps to perform the process.

Open Excel. Choose File and select Info. Later, select Version History on the options list. The file versions will appear. Select Restore to start recovering the Excel file on your computer.

Part 5. Recover Excel Files With FoneLab Data Retriever

The built-in Excel recovery methods are indeed beneficial. However, they may not work in every situation. FoneLab Data Retriever can be used as a deleted Excel recovery tool to help you retrieve your Excel documents on your Windows and Mac. It can also recover various data types from your computer. It includes databases, videos, images, and more data types. Additionally, it can recover data from different devices and locations on your computer. These include the hard drive, Recycle Bin, and more. You can even use it to recover a document not saved in Excel. Please see the steps below to know how to use the tool.

Step 1Download FoneLab Data Retriever to get it. Set up, install, and open the software to start the process.

Step 2Choose the location where you want to store the lost documents. Later, please select the Start Scan button at the bottom right. Later, the results will be prompted on the next screen.

Step 3Locate the documents you want to retrieve. Click the Documents button. Later, please choose the Excel files you want to retrieve. Finally, click the Recover All button at the bottom right corner of the main interface.

Part 6. Comparison Table of Methods to Recover Excel

There are multiple ways to recover Excel documents. This section compares them to help you choose the best method. See the table below for more information.

Part 7. Prevent Future Data Loss: Optimize AutoRecover Settings

To prevent future data loss, regularly back up your files. Also, ensure that the AutoRecover feature is enabled in Excel. Iou can optimize the AutoRecover settings in Excel. This will help protect your work from unexpected shutdowns. You can also access the automatic recovery path of Excel.

Part 8. FAQs about Excel AutoRecovery

In conclusion, you can recover unsaved Excel files after a shutdown or crash. This article has covered the main methods, including Excel AutoRecover feature. FoneLab Data Retriever is also here to help you recover Excel files easily. Besides documents, it can also recover photos, videos, audio, and more. Download the tool now if you want to know more about it!