[4 Ways] How to Recover an Excel File That Was Saved Over

Losing or overwriting an Excel file can be frustrating, especially when it contains crucial data or hours of work. Fortunately, there are several ways to recover a file that has been saved over. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the different methods you can use to restore your Excel file easily and quickly.

How to recover an Excel file that was saved over

Here are four solutions to help resolve your issue. If any of them work for you, consider sharing them with others facing the same challenge.

Way 1. Recover an Excel file using the Undo feature

You can recover a previously saved version using the Undo feature if you've just made changes and still have your Excel file open.

>>Simply click the Undo icon in the top menu repeatedly until you reach the desired version.

However, keep in mind that this method only works if the file is still open and the edits were recent. If your situation differs, explore the other options provided below to learn how to recover an Excel file that was saved over.

Way 2. Recover an Excel file with the Previous Version in Excel

If you need to restore an Excel file that was saved over, you can try using Excel's built-in feature to recover previous versions. Follow these simple steps to retrieve your file:

Step 1. Click on the File tab, then choose Info from the menu on the left.

Step 2. In the Manage Versions section, you'll see a list of auto-saved previous versions. Select the version you wish to restore.

If the version you're looking for isn't listed, this approach may not work for you. In that case, consider using file recovery software to try and retrieve your file.

Way 3. Recover an Excel file from temporary files

One way to recover an Excel file that was saved over is by checking the temporary files folder. If your file is stored there, you can easily retrieve it by following these steps:

Step 1. Go to the folder where Microsoft Office saves its temporary files.

For Windows XP:

C:\Documents and Settings\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Office\UnsavedFiles

For Windows 11/10/8/7/Vista:

C:\Users\UserName\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Office\UnsavedFiles

(Replace UserName with your actual PC username)

Step 2. Look for the Excel file you need in that directory.

Step 3. Once you find it, open the file and select Save As to restore it.

If you don't find the file you're looking for in this folder, try the other solutions provided below.

Way 4. Recover an Excel file from a backup

If you've enabled the Windows File History feature, recovering lost data from a backup is straightforward. Follow these steps to restore a previous version of your Excel file:

Step 1. Locate the overwritten Excel file, right-click on it, and select Properties.

Step 2. Under the Previous Versions tab, choose the version you'd like to restore, then click the Restore button.

This solution works only for users who have activated the File History feature and created backups beforehand. If you haven't set this up, consider trying the final solution.

How to recover deleted Excel files with data recovery tool

If your Excel files have been deleted, whether due to a crash or other reasons, AOMEI FastRecovery is a free tool that can help you retrieve them. AOMEI FastRecovery allows you to recover Excel files with just a few clicks, offering a user-friendly interface and robust functionality.

Here are the key benefits of AOMEI FastRecovery:

◆ Fully compatible with Windows 11/10/8/7 and Windows Server systems.
◆ Supports recovery of over 1000 types of data, including Excel, Word, PDF, PPT, photos, videos, and audio files.
◆ Preserves the original filename, path, and format of recovered files.
◆ Delivers fast scanning and high recovery success rates.

To get started, click the Download Software button to install AOMEI FastRecovery on your PC. Follow the simple steps to recover your deleted Excel files with ease.

Step 1. Install and launch AOMEI FastRecovery. Choose the exact partition or disk where your data is 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 bins 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 ends.

Conclusion

By now, you’ve likely discovered an effective solution for recovering an Excel file that was saved over. You can utilize Excel’s built-in recovery tool or restore a previous version from a backup. If your file was accidentally deleted, a specialized data recovery tool like AOMEI FastRecovery can easily help you retrieve it without hassle.