Excel File Recovery: How to Effortlessly Recover Deleted XLSX Files

How to Recover a Deleted XLSX File

Have you ever pondered how to recover lost .xlsx/.xls files? This is crucial for users who store their work in Microsoft Excel workbooks and haven't created a backup.

There are numerous issues that can result in the loss of data within Excel files. This can occur as a result of power outages or file system corruption, which effectively renders all your documents, including Microsoft Excel files, inaccessible.

If your .xlsx or .xls files are lost due to any of the above reasons, you now have three simple Excel file recovery solutions to retrieve your lost files.

Method 1: Recover Deleted Excel from Recycling Bin

If you accidentally deleted your Excel file, be it an .xlsx or .xls file, you can easily restore it from the Recycle Bin yourself:

Step 1. Open the Recycle Bin and locate the deleted .xlsx or .xls files within it.

Step 2. Right-click on the lost XLSX/XLS files and choose "Restore". The deleted .xlsx or .xls file will then be restored to its original location on your computer.

Method 2: Utilize Excel File Recovery Software to Retrieve XLSX File

Data Recovery Wizard is one of the best Microsoft Office file recovery software for retrieving deleted or lost Word, Excel, or PowerPoint files.

This professional MS Office Excel file recovery tool boasts the following prominent features.

• Restore deleted or lost XLSX/XLS files due to accidental deletion, device formatting, partition loss, etc.
• Recover corrupted Excel files in XLSX/XLS formats
• Retrieve Excel data including tables, charts, formulas, chart sheets, and more
• Preview recovered Excel file in real-time
• Supports Microsoft Excel 2019/2016/2013/2010/2007/2003/XP/2000/97/95 versions

Download this XLSX recovery tool for free and follow the step-by-step instructions to perform Excel file recovery. The process for recovering lost Word documents is identical.

Step 1. Choose the location and click "Scan"

Select the drive or a specific folder on your Desktop or any other location where you lost the Excel files, and then click the "Scan" button.

Step 2. Locate your Excel files

To swiftly locate Excel files from the scan results, click the "Documents" option in the left panel. Select "Excel," and then click "Preview" to verify if the Excel files are the desired ones.

Step 3. Recover Excel Files

Lastly, choose the desired Excel files and click the "Recover" button. Next, select a folder to save the recovered Excel files to a different location.

Method 3: Recover Deleted XLSX File from Previous Versions

If you're not fond of using third-party XLS file recovery software, you can attempt to recover deleted XLSX files in Windows 10 using File History.

Previous versions can be accessed via File History or restore points, but you'll need to have enabled file backup beforehand.

Step 1. Right-click on the folder that previously contained the deleted XLSX/XLS file.

Step 2. Select "Restore previous versions." Choose the correct version from the list.

Step 3. Click "Restore" to recover the XLSX file at any location on your system.

What is the Best Method to Recover a Deleted XLSX File?

In summary, you can learn three methods to recover Excel XLS or XLSX files:

• Restore deleted Excel from Recycle Bin if you haven't emptied the files
• Recover lost or permanently deleted Excel file using Excel recovery software tools
• Retrieve XLSX files from previous versions if you have enabled Windows File History

Among the three solutions, the Excel file recovery tool is highly recommended. The Data Recovery Wizard tool can effectively recover lost or deleted photos, videos, audios, documents, emails, and other files in various complex data loss scenarios. It boasts a high success rate in restoring permanently lost files.

Useful Tips to Prevent Excel Data Loss: 1. Regularly Save Your Work: Always remember to save your Excel file frequently, especially after making significant changes or calculations. Use the 'Save' or 'AutoSave' feature to ensure your progress is not lost. 2. Enable AutoRecover: Go to 'File' > 'Options' > 'Save,' and check the box for 'Enable AutoRecover.' Set a suitable interval for the software to automatically save your work in case of a system crash. 3. Use Versions: Excel's 'Version History' feature allows you to track and save different versions of your spreadsheet. This way, you can revert to an earlier version if data loss occurs. 4. Backup Files: Create copies of your important Excel files and store them in a separate location or cloud service. This ensures you have a backup in case of accidental deletion or corruption. 5. Save in Different Formats: Occasionally, save your Excel file as a PDF or another format to preserve its integrity. This can prevent unintended changes and data loss due to compatibility issues. 6. Avoid Overwriting: Before pasting or entering new data, always ensure you're not overwriting existing information. Use the 'Find & Select' function to verify if the cell is blank before inputting data. 7. Use Excel Formulas Correctly: Incorrect formulas can lead to data loss or corruption. Double-check your calculations, and use absolute cell references when necessary to avoid unintended changes. 8. Limit Pivots and Filters: While pivot tables and filters are useful, they can sometimes cause data loss if not used carefully. Make sure to understand how they work and avoid deleting source data. 9. Protect Your Sheets and Workbooks: Use the 'Protect Sheet' and 'Protect Workbook' features to prevent accidental deletion or modification of cells. Set passwords if necessary. 10. Keep Software Up-to-date: Regularly update Microsoft Excel to the latest version to ensure bug fixes and improved stability, reducing the chances of data loss. By following these tips, you can significantly reduce the risk of losing crucial Excel data and maintain the reliability of your work.

To prevent the issue of Excel file loss from occurring again, consider the following recommended tips that might be beneficial: 1. **Regularly Save and Auto-Save**: Make it a habit to save your work frequently while using Excel. Enable the AutoSave feature, which automatically saves your files at intervals you set. 2. **Use Cloud Storage**: Store your Excel files on cloud-based platforms like Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, or Dropbox. This ensures your files are backed up and accessible from different devices. 3. **Create Backups**: Keep local backups of important files on an external hard drive or USB drive. This provides an additional layer of protection in case of system failures. 4. **Update and Patch Your Software**: Regularly update your Microsoft Office suite to ensure you have the latest bug fixes and security patches. 5. **Avoid Multiple Users Editing Simultaneously**: If multiple people need to access the same Excel file, use a collaboration tool that allows controlled editing or ensure only one person edits at a time. 6. **Use Reliable Antivirus Software**: A good antivirus program can protect your system from malware that could potentially damage or delete files. 7. **Close Files Properly**: Always exit Excel properly by clicking "File" then "Save" and "Close," rather than abruptly closing the application. 8. **Perform Regular System Maintenance**: Keep your computer's operating system and drivers up to date, and perform routine disk clean-ups and scans to maintain optimal performance. 9. **Be Mindful of Email Attachments**: Be cautious when opening Excel attachments from unknown sources, as they could contain viruses or malware. 10. **Backup Before Major Changes**: Before making significant changes or calculations in your Excel spreadsheet, create a backup copy first. By implementing these precautions, you can significantly reduce the chances of losing your Excel files in the future.

1. Enable the AutoRecover feature to automatically save Excel:

1. Open an Excel file, then click on "File" in the top-left corner and select "Options." 2. In the "Save" category, check the "Save AutoRecover information every" box under "Save workbooks," and enter the number of minutes you want to set for automatic saving. 3. In the "AutoRecover file location" box, specify the location where you wish to save the recovery file. 4. Deselect the "Disable AutoRecover for this workbook only" checkbox.

2. Regularly backup Excel

It also matters a lot if you have created an Excel file backup when an accident or error occurs.

3. Resort to the appropriate solution for various Excel data loss issues.

If you're dealing with Excel file deletion, don't worry. Scroll up and utilize the methods provided on this page to address most Excel .xlsx or .xls file recovery issues.