Where does Excel save AutoRecover files?

By default: Windows: C:\\Users\\[username]\\AppData\\Roaming\\Microsoft\\Excel\\ for crash-recovery, and C:\\Users\\[username]\\AppData\\Local\\Microsoft\\Office\\UnsavedFiles\\ for never-saved workbooks. Mac: ~/Library/Containers/com.microsoft.Excel/Data/Library/Preferences/AutoRecovery/. Files have .xlsb, .xar, or AutoRecovery save of [name].xlsb naming.

How do I revert an Excel file to a previous version?

If saved to OneDrive: open the file → File → Info → Version History → pick a date → Restore. If on local drive: right-click in File Explorer → Properties → Previous Versions (Windows, requires File History or System Restore). Mac: Time Machine — open the file's folder, then enter Time Machine and browse backward.

I accidentally overwrote my Excel formulas with values — can I undo?

If the workbook is still open: Ctrl+Z repeatedly. If you've closed and reopened: check OneDrive Version History for the previous version. If on a local drive with File History on: right-click the file → Restore previous versions. If none of those, the formulas are gone unless a backup exists.

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Recover Unsaved Excel Files — Windows & Mac

Excel crashed or closed without saving? Recover your spreadsheet from the AutoRecover folder, Unsaved Documents, or OneDrive version history.

Step-by-Step Guide

Let Excel recover automatically on reopen — Reopen Excel after a crash — it should show a Document Recovery pane with recent auto-saved versions. Select the version and click Save As to keep it.
Check the AutoRecover folder — Windows: C:\Users\[Username]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Excel. Mac: ~/Library/Containers/com.microsoft.Excel/Data/Library/Preferences/AutoRecovery. Look for files with the spreadsheet name.
Recover from the Unsaved Workbooks folder — In Excel: File → Info → Manage Workbook → Recover Unsaved Workbooks. Excel stores drafts of workbooks that were never saved to a file here.
Check OneDrive or SharePoint version history — If the file was stored in OneDrive or SharePoint: right-click the file → Version History. Previous auto-saved versions are listed with timestamps.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I recover an unsaved Excel file?

Open Excel → File → Info → Manage Workbook → Recover Unsaved Workbooks. Excel stores AutoRecover .xlsb files at: Windows: C:\Users\[user]\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Office\UnsavedFiles\. Mac: /Users/[user]/Library/Containers/com.microsoft.Excel/Data/Library/Preferences/AutoRecovery/. Open any unsaved workbook from there and Save As immediately.

I closed Excel without saving — can I get my workbook back?

Yes — if AutoRecover was on (default since Excel 2010). File → Open → Recent Workbooks → click 'Recover Unsaved Workbooks' at the bottom. Excel shows every workbook that was open with unsaved changes within the last 4 days. Open and Save As.

Excel file is corrupted — how do I open it?

Use Open and Repair: File → Open → Browse → click the .xlsx → click the dropdown arrow next to Open → Open and Repair. Try 'Repair' first; if that fails, click 'Extract' to pull out values and formulas without formatting.

Can I recover an Excel file deleted from the Recycle Bin?

Yes — until the disk space is overwritten. Stop using the PC immediately. Run SafeRestore deep scan on the drive. .xlsx files are ZIP-based with a recognizable signature, so recovery rates are similar to .docx.

Does Excel AutoSave work without OneDrive?

No. AutoSave (the toggle at the top-left of Excel) only works for files saved to OneDrive, OneDrive for Business, or SharePoint. Local files use AutoRecover instead, which snapshots every 10 minutes by default.

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