AutoRecover an Excel File

Excel automatically saves temporary copies of your work in the background.
This means you can often recover your file even if:

• Excel crashes
• You accidentally click Don’t Save
• You forget to save a new file

Let’s go step by step.

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Case 1: Excel Crashed and Reopens

What happens?

When Excel crashes, the next time you open Excel, you will see the Document Recovery Pane.

What to do:

1. Open Excel again.
2. Look at the Document Recovery panel on the left.
3. Click the latest version of your file.
4. Save it immediately.

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Case 2: Recover a File That Was NEVER Saved

Example: You worked on Book1, then clicked Don’t Save or Excel crashed.

Steps to recover it:

1. Open Excel.
2. Click File.
3. Click Info.
4. Click Manage Workbook.
5. Click Recover Unsaved Workbooks.
6. Click the most recent file in the list.
7. Click Save As and save it properly.

👉 Excel will tell you if a recent copy is available.

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Case 3: Recover a File That WAS Saved Before

Example: You worked on grades.xlsx, made changes, then clicked Don’t Save or Excel crashed.

Steps to recover it:

1. Open the Excel file (grades.xlsx).
2. Click File.
3. Click Info.
4. Under Manage Workbook, click the latest autosaved version.
5. Save the file.

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Case 4: Go Back to an Older Version (Version History)

Excel keeps previous autosaved versions while you are working.

Steps:

1. Open the Excel file.
2. Click File.
3. Click Info.
4. Under Manage Workbook, select an older version.
5. Restore or save it if needed.

⚠️ Important:

• Excel deletes old autosaved versions when you close the file
• Always recover versions before closing Excel

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Change AutoRecover Settings (Recommended)

You can make Excel save more often.

Steps:

1. Click File.
2. Click Options.
3. Click Save.
4. You can:
   • Change how often AutoRecover saves (for example: every 1–5 minutes)
   • Change where AutoRecover files are stored

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Beginner Tips (Very Important)

✔ Always save your file as soon as you start working
✔ Press Ctrl + S often
✔ If Excel crashes, do not panic—recovery is usually possible
✔ Recover first → save → then continue working