How to Recover Deleted Excel Files on Windows? [Quick Methods]

Accidentally deleted your Excel file containing critical business data, financial records, or important project details? Don’t panic – we’re here to help you! Losing important Excel files on Windows can be frustrating and can put you in trouble. Fortunately, several free data recovery methods, as well as third-party Windows data recovery software, are available to help recover your lost files.

In this guide, we’ll explore different methods on how to recover deleted Excel files on Windows. Just go with these free data recovery methods one-by-one to bring your lost spreadsheets back to life, and that’s without spending any cost.

Why Excel Files Get Deleted or Lost?

Understanding the exact cause of Excel file loss on your Windows device can help you determine an adequate recovery workaround. Some main reasons for the same are:

• Accidental Deletion: One of the main reasons for Excel file loss is accidental deletion, i.e., by mistake. You might have deleted the file accidentally while cleaning up other folders or organising documents on your device.
• Unsaved Work: If you forget to save your Excel file without the Autorecover option enabled on your device, it may lead to file loss.
• System Crash or Power Failure: A sudden power failure or unexpected system shutdown while you’re working on Excel can interrupt the saving process and cause data loss.
• Formatting or Partition Loss: Formatting a drive without proper backup may lead to the deletion of all stored files, including an important Excel workbook.
• Virus or Malware Attack: Malicious software like viruses or malware can delete, hide, or damage Excel files without warning.

Is it Possible to Recover Lost Excel Files on Windows?

Yes, you can recover a deleted Excel file on your Windows PC without much hassle. If the file was deleted recently, it may still be present in the Recycle Bin folder, from where you can directly restore it in simple steps. However, if the file is not in the Recycle Bin folder, it might have been permanently erased. While permanent deletion makes recovery more challenging, it’s not impossible.

When you delete a file on Windows, the system doesn’t immediately remove it from your hard drive. Instead, Windows marks the space as available for new data. In such a case, you can check previously created backups or use third-party free data recovery software tools like Stellar Data Recovery Free to restore your files.

How do I Recover Deleted Excel Files on Windows?

Whether your Excel file is lost due to technical issues (system crashes, corruption, device failure) or human mistakes (deletion, overwriting, forgetting to save), don’t worry. In this part of the article, we’ve outlined various methods that can help you recover your lost Excel file:

Method 01: Check the Recycle Bin Folder

Every deleted file on a Windows PC goes to the Recycle Bin and remains there until permanently erased. It is good to check the Recycle Bin folder before moving to more complex workarounds. To restore your Excel file from the Recycle Bin, you have to:

• Double-click the Recycle Bin icon located on the desktop.
• Locate the deleted Excel file or search it by name or .xlsx/.xls extension.
• Right-click the file you want and tap “Restore.”
• This will return the selected file to its original location.

Note: Deleted Excel files on your Windows device remain in the Recycle Bin folder only for 30 days or until you manually empty it or the Bin exceeds its storage limit.

Method 02: Recover Using File History Backups

If your deleted Excel file is not present in the Recycle Bin folder, it may have been permanently removed from your system. In such a case, you can use a previously created backup to recover your lost file. Windows comes with a built-in feature called File History, which, when enabled, automatically saves copies of your files and folders at regular intervals.

Follow the below steps to recover your lost Excel files using this backup feature:

• Firstly, go to the folder where your Excel file was earlier stored.
• Right-click and select Properties.
• Now, go to the Previous Versions
• Select the latest version of the required file and click Restore.

This will save your Excel file back to its original location – exactly where the file was stored before deletion.

Method 03: Use the AutoRecover Feature to Restore an Unsaved File

Microsoft Excel has an in-built AutoRecover feature that automatically saves temporary versions of your work. This method is best to recover unsaved files if Excel crashes or closes unexpectedly. To restore your files using the Autorecover feature, you have to:

• Launch Excel, go to File > Info. This section contains all Workbook-related management options.
• Now, click on Manage Workbook and select Recover Unsaved Workbooks to preview a list of all temporarily saved files.
• Go through the list and select the file you want to restore.
• Open the required version of your Excel file and save it to a secure location.

Method 04: Recover Files from OneDrive/Cloud Backup

Along with Windows’ built-in backup options, you can use cloud backups like OneDrive or Google Drive to create backups and restore your files. All you have to do is:

• Open the cloud backup service (OneDrive, Google Drive, or Dropbox) where your Excel files were synced and log in to your account.
• Go to the Recycle Bin or Trash folder where your deleted files might be temporarily stored.
• Now, locate and select the Excel file you want to recover.
• Click the Restore option to return the file to its original folder in the cloud or on your PC.

Method 05: Recover Deleted Excel File Using CMD

For advanced users, Windows’ built-in Command Prompt (CMD) utility can be the best option to recover lost Excel files. This method is particularly useful when Excel files have been deleted permanently or are not visible on your device. To recover files using CMD:

• Press the Windows + S keys on your Windows device and type CMD in the search box. Right-click on Command Prompt and select “Run as administrator”.
  • Now, type the following command and press the Enter key: chkdsk X: /f (replace X with the drive letter where your Excel file was stored.
  • After that, type the command ATTRIB -H -R -S /S /D X:\*.* and press the Enter key. This command searches the drive for hidden, read-only, or system files (which may include your deleted Excel files).
  • Once the process is complete, launch File Explorer and go to the drive or folder where CMD found the recovered files. Open your Excel file and immediately save it to a safe location.

  Try Free Data Recovery Software for Permanently Deleted Excel Files

  Instances may occur when the above-mentioned Windows data recovery methods fail to recover deleted Excel files on Windows. In such a case, you can use third-party free data recovery software like Stellar Data Recovery Free to restore your files. This all-in-one data recovery software allows you to restore files lost or deleted due to accidental deletion, formatting, system errors, or any other reason. The free version allows you to restore up to 1 GB of data at no cost, while larger files can be recovered by upgrading to its premium version.

  Key Features of Stellar Data Recovery Free Tool:

  • Supports recovery of deleted files of various types, including Excel files, documents, images, videos, and many more
  • It can recover your files deleted from hard drives, SSDs, USB drives, memory cards, and other internal/external storage devices.
  • Restores data from accidentally formatted drives or drives affected by system errors or corruption.
  • Allows you to preview the recoverable files, so you can restore only the ones you need
  • The software offers a simple, intuitive interface that makes it easy for beginners and non-technical users to recover lost files.

  Additional Tips to Prevent Excel File Loss in the Future

  Now that you are familiar with the reasons for Excel file loss and recovery workarounds to restore them on your Windows PC, it’s important to take steps to prevent such issues. Here are some additional tips that you can consider to prevent Excel file loss from your end:

  • Enable AutoSave/AutoRecover: Go to File > Options > Save and set AutoRecover to every 5 minutes. 
  • Create Cloud Backups: Enable cloud sync on your device to back up your files, allowing you to access and restore them anytime, anywhere, and from any device.
  • Regular Backups: Create multiple copies (at least 2) of your important Excel files on external drives. Avoid Force Shutdowns: Always save and close files before turning off your PC. 
  • Use Antivirus Software: Avoid issues like the deletion of Excel files due to malicious programs by installing reliable antivirus software. 

  Final Thoughts

  Losing an important Excel file can put you in trouble, but the aforementioned free data recovery methods can help you restore your lost files without any challenge. Whether your file is present in the Recycle Bin folder or is permanently erased, these methods can easily help you restore your files. You can even use professional recovery software tools like Stellar Data Recovery Free to recover your files. 

  The key is to act quickly, as the sooner you attempt recovery, the higher the chances of restoring your lost Excel files. Moreover, you can consider preventive measures like enabling AutoSave features, creating proper backups, using cloud storage, etc., to minimise the impact of accidental deletions or system errors in the future.