How to recover earlier version of excel file
In today’s digital age, data loss can be a significant inconvenience, especially when it comes to important documents like Excel files. Whether you’ve accidentally deleted a file or your computer has encountered a system error, recovering an earlier version of an Excel file is crucial. This article will guide you through the steps to recover an earlier version of an Excel file, ensuring that your valuable data is not lost forever.
1. Use the “Undo” Command
The first and simplest method to recover an earlier version of an Excel file is by using the “Undo” command. If you’ve recently made changes to the file and want to revert to a previous state, follow these steps:
1. Open the Excel file.
2. Press “Ctrl + Z” to undo the last action.
3. If the desired earlier version is not yet restored, keep pressing “Ctrl + Z” until you reach the desired state.
2. Utilize the “AutoRecover” Feature
Microsoft Excel has an “AutoRecover” feature that automatically saves a copy of your file at regular intervals. To recover a version using this feature, follow these steps:
1. Open Excel and navigate to the “File” menu.
2. Click on “Open” and then select “Recent Files.”
3. Look for the file you want to recover and click on the “Recover” button next to it.
3. Use the “File History” Feature
If you have enabled the “File History” feature on your Windows computer, you can easily recover an earlier version of your Excel file. Here’s how:
1. Open the Excel file you want to recover.
2. Go to the “File” menu and click on “Info.”
3. In the “Manage Versions” section, click on “Recover Unsaved Workbooks.”
4. Select the desired version from the list and click “Open.”
4. Restore from Backup
If you have a backup system in place, you can restore the earlier version of your Excel file from the backup. Follow these steps:
1. Access your backup storage device (e.g., external hard drive, cloud storage).
2. Navigate to the location where your Excel file was backed up.
3. Copy the file and paste it back to your computer.
5. Use a Third-Party Data Recovery Tool
If the above methods do not work, you can try using a third-party data recovery tool. These tools are specifically designed to recover lost or deleted files, including Excel files. Here’s how to use one:
1. Download and install a reputable data recovery tool.
2. Run the tool and select the location where your Excel file was stored.
3. Start the scanning process and wait for the tool to find the lost file.
4. Once the file is found, select it and restore it to a safe location.
Conclusion
Recovering an earlier version of an Excel file is essential to prevent data loss. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily recover your file using the “Undo” command, “AutoRecover” feature, “File History,” backup, or a third-party data recovery tool. Always remember to regularly back up your important files to avoid such situations in the future.
