Where Does Excel Save Temp Files? How to Recover If Lost?

Where does Excel save temp files?

If you frequently use Microsoft Excel, you might notice that each time you open a spreadsheet, a file named "~" or "$" appears.

These are temporary files created by Excel, and other software, to store data in use. Many users believe these temp files allow them to recover files from the temp folder after an unexpected app closure or crash.

So, if you've lost an important Excel file, you may wonder: Where does Excel save temp files?

To locate Excel's temporary files, you’ll need to explore the Excel temp folder. The location varies depending on your operating system:

✎ Windows 10, 11:
C:\Users\username\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Office\UnsavedFiles
✎ Windows 8, 7:
C:\Users\username\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Office\UnsavedFiles
✎ Windows XP:
C:\Documents and Settings\username\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Office\UnsavedFiles

Alternatively, you can access the temp files directly from Excel:

1. Open Excel.

2. Click File > Open.

3. Scroll down and select Recover Unsaved Workbooks.

This will give you access to Excel temp files and allow you to recover unsaved Excel files.

Excel temp files come in handy when an unexpected crash occurs before you've saved your work. For example, if you accidentally clicked “Don’t Save”, you might still recover the file through these temp files.

However, keep in mind that if the unsaved file was closed before AutoSave could save a copy, no temp files will be available.

If you check the temp folder and find nothing, or if you're trying to recover a lost or deleted Excel file, you'll need additional recovery methods.

How to recover lost/deleted Excel files in Windows 11/10

Excel temp files have their limitations and can only help if the AutoSave feature has been activated. Here are three effective methods to recover lost or deleted Excel files.

Way 1. Recover lost Excel files from previous versions

Using the Previous Versions feature is a reliable option. These versions come from system restore points and File History, allowing you to recover lost or deleted files by restoring their earlier versions.

✍ Note: To check which version to restore, click "Open" to preview the file contents.

Step 1. Open File Explorer and navigate to the folder where the missing or deleted Excel files were originally saved.

Step 2. Right-click the folder, then select Properties.

Step 2. Go to the Previous Versions tab, choose a version, and click Restore.

This method can also be used to recover previous versions of Word documents and other file types.

Way 2. Retrieve Excel workbooks via the Backup & Restore feature

A safer method to recover lost Excel files, instead of relying on temporary files, is by using backups.

Windows provides a built-in backup tool that allows users to create copies of their files. This tool makes it simple to restore lost data or transfer files from older systems, like Windows 7, to newer versions.

Step 1. Go to Control Panel > System and Security > Backup and Restore (Windows 7).

Step 2. Click Restore my files.

Step 3. Click Browse for files > Select files you want > Next.

Step 4. Specify the destination to save your recovered files and click Restore.

Way 3. Recover lost or deleted Excel files effortlessly

If you can't locate where Excel saves temp files and lack backups, retrieving deleted Excel files can seem daunting. Data loss often occurs unexpectedly, catching users off guard before they have a chance to create backups. Fortunately, a reliable data recovery tool can provide timely assistance.

An effective recovery tool should be efficient in scanning, user-friendly, and compatible with various operating systems.

AOMEI FastRecovery is an excellent choice. It employs advanced scanning technologies and algorithms to recover deleted and lost data from both internal and external hard drives.

» Easy recovery: Restore deleted or lost data from HDDs, SSDs, USB drives, and memory cards in just several simple steps.
» Fast scanning: Complete scans can take just seconds to minutes, depending on the amount of data.
» Wide compatibility: Supports over 1000 file types, including Excel, Word, documents, PowerPoint, photos, videos, and zip files.
» Preserved data integrity: All recovered files maintain their original formats, paths, and filenames.
» Broad OS support: Compatible with Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, and Server editions.

With AOMEI FastRecovery, you won’t need to hunt for temporary Excel files to recover lost workbooks—simply scan, select, and restore your data with ease.

Step 1. Install and launch AOMEI FastRecovery. Choose the exact partition or disk where your temp folder is lost and click Scan.

Step 2. Then, the recovery tool starts to scan and search. lt will execute the “Quickly Scan" first to find 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 recovery to end.

Conclusion

In conclusion, recovering lost or unsaved Excel files can be straightforward if you know where to look. For more robust recovery options, utilizing Windows' built-in features like Previous Versions and Backup & Restore can prove highly effective in retrieving lost Excel files.

However, in cases where temp files, backups, or previous versions aren't available, specialized recovery software like AOMEI FastRecovery can be a lifesaver. It offers an efficient and user-friendly way to recover lost or deleted Excel files from various storage devices, ensuring your data is recovered safely and intact.