How do you recover an Excel file that disappeared in Windows 11/10/8/7? Learn the most possible reasons in this post and get 4 useful and powerful methods to make it.
If your Excel data has suddenly disappeared, it can be concerning. Several factors might be responsible for this issue. Here are some common causes:
• Accidental deletion: You might have accidentally deleted the data, whether by pressing the delete key or using a cut-and-paste action that removed the content.
• Hidden rows or columns: Sometimes, data isn't gone, but it’s just hidden. You may have accidentally hidden rows, columns, or even entire sheets.
• Filter or sort issues: If a filter is applied to your data, certain rows may be hidden from view. Sorting the data in a different order might also make it seem like data is missing.
• Corrupted file: Excel files can become corrupted due to unexpected shutdowns, software crashes, or storage issues, leading to missing data.
• Accidental change in Workbook views: Sometimes, switching between different views (like Page Layout or Full Screen) can make it seem like data has disappeared when it’s just out of view.
• Unsaved changes: If Excel crashes or you close the file without saving, any unsaved changes would be lost.
• Excel errors or bugs: Occasionally, bugs or glitches in Excel itself might cause data to not appear, especially if the program hasn't been updated in a while.
Here’s how to recover an Excel file that disappeared, using various methods:
Losing important Excel files can be a stressful experience, especially when you need them for work or personal projects. Whether the files were accidentally deleted, lost due to a system crash, or disappeared after a sudden power failure, AOMEI FastRecovery offers a reliable and efficient solution to recover your valuable data, including Excel spreadsheets.
AOMEI FastRecovery is a powerful data recovery software designed to help users retrieve lost files, including lost documents, photos, videos, and more. The software specializes in recovering files that have been deleted or lost from various storage devices such as hard drives, SSDs, USB drives, and memory cards. It is especially effective in cases where the Excel files have been accidentally deleted, lost due to file system errors, or corrupted.
► Deep scan mode: The software includes a deep scan feature to perform thorough searches for lost files, ensuring you can recover files from challenging situations like partial data loss. ► Preview function: You can preview your Excel files before recovering them, ensuring you retrieve the correct documents. ► Multiple device support: AOMEI FastRecovery supports recovery from various devices, including internal and external hard drives, USB drives, SD cards, and more. ► Safe and efficient: The recovery process is secure and does not risk overwriting or further damaging the files.
Step 1. Install and launch AOMEI FastRecovery. Choose the exact partition or disk where your data lost and click Scan.
Step 2. Then, the recovery tool start to scan and search. lt will execute the “Quickly Scan" first for finding your deleted data fast, and then execute the “Deep Scan" for searching other lost data.
Step 3. Once the scan is completed, all deleted files, Recycle Bin and other missing files will be displayed. Please select the file you would like to recover and then click "Recover".
Step 4. Then, select a folder path to save your recovered files.
Step 5. Wait patiently for this process of recovering to end.
If you mistakenly delete Excel files, they might vanish from your desktop. However, you can usually retrieve them from the Recycle Bin. Simply follow these steps to restore the deleted files:
Step 1. Open the Recycle Bin first.
Step 2. Search the file that you require within the search bar.
Step 3. Right-click on the desired file and select Restore to return it to its original location.
If your files aren't in the Recycle Bin, they could have been permanently erased. In such cases, using Backup and Restore is another viable solution. This method can also help recover files lost due to system errors or accidental overwriting. However, you must have enabled the backup feature beforehand. To recover your files, follow these steps:
Step 1. Go to the Control Panel, and select System and Security > Backup and Restore in turn.
Step 2. Click Restore my files.
Step 3. Click Browse for files to choose the file you want to recover, and then click Next.
Step 4. Specify the saving path for your recovered file, and click Restore.
If your Excel file seems to have disappeared from your desktop but is still in the Recycle Bin, it’s likely that only the shortcut to the file was removed. You can try to locate the missing file by searching for it directly on your computer.
Step 1.Press the Windows key + S to open the search bar. Then, enter the filename of the missing Excel file.
Step 2.Check the search results to see if the file has been located.
This article explored various causes and solutions for the issue of disappearing Excel files. While manual methods can be effective, they often require significant time and effort. For faster results, consider using AOMEI FastRecovery to quickly restore your Excel files with minimal hassle.