Efficient Steps to Retrieve an Unsaved Excel File on Your Mac

How to recover unsaved Excel file on Mac

Accidentally losing an unsaved Excel file on your Mac can be a frustrating experience. Whether you were in the middle of an important presentation or working on a crucial spreadsheet, the thought of losing all your hard work can be overwhelming. However, there are several methods you can try to recover your unsaved Excel file on Mac. In this article, we will guide you through the process of how to recover unsaved Excel file on Mac, ensuring that you can get back your lost data with minimal effort.

1. Check the Recent Files

One of the simplest ways to recover an unsaved Excel file on Mac is to check the Recent Files list. This feature allows you to quickly access files you have recently worked on. To do this:

1. Open the Finder on your Mac.
2. Click on the “Recent Items” folder located on the left sidebar.
3. Scroll through the list of recent files and look for your unsaved Excel file.
4. Double-click on the file to open it.

2. Use the AutoRecovery Feature

Excel has an AutoRecovery feature that automatically saves your work at regular intervals. If you have enabled this feature, you may be able to recover your unsaved file. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open Excel on your Mac.
2. Go to the “File” menu and select “Open.”
3. In the dialog box, click on the “AutoRecover files” button on the bottom left corner.
4. Select the folder where your AutoRecover files are stored, usually located in your user folder under “Documents” or “Desktop” > “AutoRecover.”
5. Find the file you want to recover and double-click on it to open it.

3. Use the Time Machine Backup

If you have enabled Time Machine on your Mac, you can use it to restore your unsaved Excel file from a previous backup. Here’s how to do it:

1. Connect an external drive or an external hard drive to your Mac.
2. Open the Time Machine app from the dock or by clicking on the icon in the menu bar.
3. Scroll through the timeline to find the date when you last saved your Excel file.
4. Click on the file to select it, and then click the “Restore” button to save it to your Mac.

4. Use Third-Party File Recovery Software

If the above methods do not work, you can try using third-party file recovery software to recover your unsaved Excel file. These tools are designed to scan your Mac’s hard drive and recover deleted or lost files. Some popular options include:

• Recuva
• Stellar Data Recovery
• EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac

Remember to download and install the software on a different drive than the one where your unsaved Excel file was lost, as this can prevent overwriting the original data.

In conclusion, losing an unsaved Excel file on your Mac can be a distressing experience, but there are several methods you can try to recover it. By following the steps outlined in this article, you should be able to get back your lost data and continue working on your important files.