How to Find Recently Deleted Excel Files
Losing important Excel files can be a frustrating experience, especially when they are deleted accidentally. Whether you are a student, professional, or business owner, finding recently deleted Excel files is crucial to prevent data loss. In this article, we will guide you through various methods to recover your deleted Excel files and ensure that your valuable data is not lost forever.
1. Check the Recycle Bin
The first and simplest method to find recently deleted Excel files is to check the Recycle Bin on your computer. When you delete a file, it is typically moved to the Recycle Bin, allowing you to restore it with ease. To do this:
1. Open the Recycle Bin by double-clicking on its icon on your desktop.
2. Look for the Excel files you want to recover. You can search for the files by name or filter the results by file type.
3. Right-click on the Excel file and select “Restore” to move it back to its original location.
2. Use the “Undo Delete” Feature
If you have enabled the “Undo Delete” feature in Excel, you can quickly recover recently deleted files without even going to the Recycle Bin. To enable this feature:
1. Open Excel and go to the “File” menu.
2. Click on “Options” and then select “Advanced” from the list on the left.
3. Scroll down to the “Undo” section and check the “Enable this command” option for “Undo Delete.”
4. Click “OK” to save the changes.
Now, when you delete an Excel file, you can simply press “Ctrl + Z” to undo the deletion and recover the file.
3. Use the “Previous Versions” Feature
If you have enabled the “Previous Versions” feature on your Windows computer, you can restore your deleted Excel files from a previous point in time. To do this:
1. Right-click on the folder where your Excel file was stored and select “Restore previous versions” from the context menu.
2. Look for the version of the folder that contains the deleted Excel file and click on it.
3. Click on “Open” to view the contents of the folder.
4. Find the deleted Excel file and click on “Restore” to save it to its original location or a new location of your choice.
4. Use File Recovery Software
If the above methods do not work, you can try using file recovery software to recover your deleted Excel files. There are many reliable file recovery tools available, such as Recuva, EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard, and MiniTool Power Data Recovery. Here’s how to use these tools:
1. Download and install a file recovery software on your computer.
2. Run the software and select the drive or folder where your Excel file was stored.
3. Choose the file type (Excel files) and start the scanning process.
4. Once the scan is complete, navigate through the recovered files and locate your deleted Excel file.
5. Select the file and choose a location to save it.
Remember to stop using the drive or folder where the deleted Excel file was stored to prevent overwriting the data.
In conclusion, finding recently deleted Excel files can be achieved through various methods, including checking the Recycle Bin, using the “Undo Delete” feature, enabling the “Previous Versions” feature, and using file recovery software. By following these steps, you can recover your deleted Excel files and ensure that your data is safe and sound.
