5 Ways To Recover Unsaved Excel Files On Mac

The frustration of losing unsaved work in Excel is a common experience many of us can relate to. If you're a Mac user, there's hope for recovering that lost file. In this article, we'll explore five methods to help you recover unsaved Excel files on your Mac.

Mac users often rely on Excel for data analysis, budgeting, and other tasks that require precision and attention to detail. However, even with the AutoSave feature enabled, it's still possible to lose unsaved work due to unexpected shutdowns, crashes, or accidental closures. Don't worry; we've got you covered.

Method 1: Check the Excel Recovery Folder

Excel has a built-in recovery feature that automatically saves temporary files in case of a crash or unexpected shutdown. To access these files, follow these steps:

1. Open Excel and go to File > Open.
2. In the Open dialog box, click on Recover Unsaved Work.
3. Select the file you want to recover from the list of available files.
4. Click Open to recover the file.

If you're unable to find the file you're looking for, try checking the Excel recovery folder manually:

1. Go to Finder > Go > Library.
2. Navigate to Application Support > Microsoft > Office > Excel > Unsaved Files.
3. Look for files with the ".xlsx" extension, which should be the unsaved Excel files.

Method 2: Use Time Machine Backup

If you have Time Machine set up on your Mac, you can use it to recover unsaved Excel files. Time Machine automatically backs up your files at regular intervals, so you can restore a previous version of your file. To do this:

1. Connect your Time Machine backup disk to your Mac.
2. Open Excel and go to File > Open.
3. Click on Browse and navigate to the folder where your unsaved file was located.
4. Click on the Time Machine icon in the top-right corner of the screen.
5. Select the date and time when you last worked on the file.
6. Look for the file you want to recover and click Restore.

Method 3: Check the Temporary Files Folder

Excel saves temporary files in a specific folder on your Mac. You can try checking this folder for unsaved files:

1. Go to Finder > Go > Library.
2. Navigate to Caches > Temporary Items.
3. Look for files with the ".tmp" extension, which should be the temporary Excel files.

Method 4: Use a Third-Party Recovery Tool

If the above methods don't work, you can try using a third-party recovery tool to scan your Mac's hard drive for deleted or unsaved files. Some popular options include:

• Disk Drill
• EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard
• Data Rescue

These tools can scan your hard drive and recover deleted or unsaved files, including Excel files.

Method 5: Check the Trash

It's possible that you might have accidentally deleted the file and it's still in the Trash. To check:

1. Go to Finder > Trash.
2. Look for the file you're trying to recover.
3. If you find it, right-click on the file and select Put Back.

Gallery of Excel Recovery

FAQs

We hope this article has helped you recover your unsaved Excel file on Mac. Remember to always save your work regularly and consider using Time Machine backup to ensure your files are safe. If you have any further questions or need assistance, feel free to ask in the comments below.

Gallery of 5 Ways To Recover Unsaved Excel Files On Mac