10 Places To Find Your Excel Autosave Files

If you've ever worked on an important Excel file, you know the sinking feeling that comes when your computer crashes or you accidentally close the file without saving. Thankfully, Microsoft Excel has an autosave feature that can save you from such mishaps. However, finding those autosave files can sometimes feel like searching for a needle in a haystack! 😅 In this post, we’ll explore 10 places to locate your Excel autosave files and help you recover your work like a pro.

1. Temporary Files Folder

One of the most common locations for autosave files is the Temporary Files folder. This folder stores data temporarily, including Excel autosave files.

How to Access:

• Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.
• Type %temp% and hit Enter.
• Look for files with names starting with “~” or “$” and ending with “.xls” or “.xlsx”.

2. Excel AutoRecover Folder

Excel has a dedicated AutoRecover folder where it saves files periodically.

How to Find It:

1. Open Excel.
2. Go to File > Options.
3. Click on Save.
4. Look for the path next to “AutoRecover file location.”

Navigate to that folder to find your autosave files.

3. OneDrive

If you’re using Microsoft 365 and have autosave enabled for OneDrive, your files may be saved there.

Steps to Check:

• Open OneDrive from your File Explorer.
• Look under the “Documents” or “Excel” folder.
• Search for your file by name.

4. Recent Documents in Excel

Sometimes, the easiest way to find your autosaved files is through the recent documents list.

How to Access:

• Open Excel and click on File.
• Select Recent.
• Look for the autosave file in the list. It may have an “autosaved” note next to it.

5. Windows File History

If you have File History turned on in Windows, you can retrieve previous versions of your files.

Accessing File History:

• Right-click on the folder where the original file was stored.
• Select “Restore previous versions.”
• You’ll see a list of available versions, including any autosaved files.

6. Recycling Bin

It might sound simple, but sometimes the file ends up in the Recycling Bin!

How to Check:

• Open the Recycling Bin from your desktop.
• Search for files with “.xls” or “.xlsx” extensions.
• If found, right-click and select “Restore.”

7. Check the Backup Files Setting

If you had the “Always create backup” option enabled, Excel would create a backup copy of your file.

How to Find It:

• Go to the same folder as your original file.
• Look for a file with the name format “Backup of [filename]” with a “.xlk” extension.

8. Cloud Backup Services

If you use a third-party cloud backup service, your autosaved files might be stored there.

Steps to Check:

• Log in to your cloud backup service.
• Search for your Excel files.
• Look for recent versions or autosaved files.

9. File Explorer Search

If all else fails, you can use the search function in File Explorer to locate your autosaved files.

How to Search:

• Open File Explorer.
• Type *.xls OR *.xlsx in the search bar.
• Sort the results by date to find the most recently saved files.

10. Excel Recovery Options

Excel provides built-in recovery options that can assist in retrieving autosaved files.

How to Use Recovery Options:

1. Open Excel.
2. If the program crashes and restarts, a Document Recovery pane should appear.
3. Click on the autosaved files listed to recover them.

Important Notes:

<p class="pro-note">Always save your work regularly and consider enabling autosave to minimize data loss.</p>

Troubleshooting Common Issues

While finding your autosaved files, you might encounter a few common issues. Here are some tips to troubleshoot effectively:

• File Not Found: Double-check the specified folders and ensure you haven’t set a different autosave location.
• No Autosave Versions Available: Ensure that your Excel settings have the autosave feature enabled. Go to File > Options > Save to check.
• Corrupted Files: If an autosave file is corrupted, try opening it in “Safe Mode” or using Excel’s “Open and Repair” feature under the Open dialog.

Helpful Tips and Shortcuts

1. Use keyboard shortcuts: Ctrl + S to save manually.
2. Regularly change the autosave frequency: The default is 10 minutes, but you can adjust it to 1 minute for maximum safety.
3. Create a backup plan: Regularly back up important files to an external hard drive or cloud storage.

<div class="faq-section"> <div class="faq-container"> <h2>Frequently Asked Questions</h2> <div class="faq-item"> <div class="faq-question"> <h3>How often does Excel autosave my files?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>Excel typically autosaves every 10 minutes, but this can be adjusted in the settings.</p> </div> </div> <div class="faq-item"> <div class="faq-question"> <h3>Can I change the autosave location?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>Yes, you can set a different location in the Excel options under the “Save” category.</p> </div> </div> <div class="faq-item"> <div class="faq-question"> <h3>What happens if Excel crashes while I’m working?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>When you reopen Excel, it usually presents a Document Recovery pane with autosaved versions of your files.</p> </div> </div> <div class="faq-item"> <div class="faq-question"> <h3>Are autosaved files the same as backups?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>No, autosaved files are temporary files created for recovery purposes and might not include the latest changes.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div>

Recapping the main points, finding your Excel autosave files is crucial for data recovery and ensuring you do not lose important information. From exploring temporary files to using the built-in recovery options, there are several methods to recover your work. With the right approach and techniques, you can navigate through the recovery process smoothly.

As you explore your Excel skills, remember to save your work often and use these recovery techniques to prevent data loss in the future. Don't hesitate to dive into more Excel tutorials to enhance your skills and confidence in using this powerful tool.

<p class="pro-note">💡Pro Tip: Regularly review your autosave settings to ensure you’re protected against data loss.</p>