How to Recover Accidentally Closed Excel Without Saving

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accidentally closed excel without saving

Recovering closed Excel files without saving can be a terrible task. Excel is a powerful tool for organizing data, calculating and automating processes. Losing these files may be a major flaw, but there are solutions available.

In this article we will explore various ways to recover Excel files that have been closed by mistake. Hurry up!

Part 1. Recovering Excel files that were closed failed with WinfrGUI

When it comes to recovering closed Excel files without saving, WinfrGUI is a reliable solution. The free GUI display of Windows File Recovery developed by Microsoft Corporation eliminates the need to use complicated commands and parameters, makes it easy to recover an unsaved word document.

  • To begin, you need to get and install WinfrGUI on your system. Once installed, open the software. It will show all connected drives including USB flash drivers and external hard drives. Specify drives in Excel, which will normally save files.
  • Next, scan the drive thoroughly. This lets WinfrGUI find temporary and deleted files. You will obtain a complete list of recoverable files after the scan.
  • Review the required files in advance and choose the Excel files that were closed without saving. Click “Recover” and select the file destination. WinfrGUI recovers Excel files quickly with a few clicks.

Part 2. Recovering accidentally closed Excel files with unsaved workbooks

  • Excel can be used to restore data without a third-party solution. Use an unsaved workbook to recover accidentally closed Excel files.
  • Open Excel and choose “Files > Open > Recent” to see your previously opened files. Click “Recover Unsaved Workbooks” at the bottom. Displays all unsaved files.
  • Double-click the file to open it. To prevent future loss, make any necessary modifications and save the file manually. 

Part 3. Backup Microsoft Excel files on Win/Mac

  • Create a backup of your Excel files to avoid the bother of restoring deleted or closed files. This protects important info. Learn how to back up Microsoft Excel on Windows and Mac.
  • Excel’s startup feature simplifies Windows backups. Select “File > Save as” to backup the file. Choose “Additional Options” from the drop-down menu under save. Under “Save as,” choose “Tools” and “General.” Select “Always make backup” and click “OK.” Click “Save” to finish.
  • Log into iCloud in any browser and click iCloud Drive to back up Macs. This is where to post Excel files. Drag and drop the file to iCloud after clicking “Upload”.

Part 4. How to prevent file loss in Excel by automatically saving & updating updates

Excel has built-in capabilities like AutoSave and AutoRecover to protect your work. Even though these functions are enabled by default, they must be checked. To enable these features:

  • Open Excel and select “Files” and “Options”.
  • In the Options dialogue, select “Save” from the left bar to save changes.
  • Check “Save AutoRecover” and “Keep the latest version Autorecovered if I close without saving know”. Both options are accessible.
  • You can adjust the automatic recording interval.
  • The upper left corner of some Excel versions may have a button that instantly saves work. Turn on automatic saving to activate it.

Part 5. Frequently Asked Questions

How to open a closed Excel file without saving it?

To open an unsaved Excel file, go to “Files > Open > Recent”. Scroll down and click “Recover Unsaved Workbooks”. The list of files will be displayed so that your files can be opened and restored.

Where is the unsaved Excel file stored?

Unsaved Excel files are usually stored in a temporary folder located at “C:\Users\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Office\UnsavedFiles”. You can access this location to find unsaved files.

How to avoid losing unsaved Excel files?

To avoid losing unsaved Excel files. Take advantage of the AutoSave and AutoRecover features. These features will automatically save files in temporary folders, allowing you to recover files that have not yet been saved. Also, creating regular backups is a good practice in preventing data loss.

Conclusion

Forgetting to save Excel files before closing may be disappointing, but there are ways to recover them. In this article we talk about various ways including using WinfrGUI or Excel’s unsaved workbook features. We also cover how to back up Excel files on both Windows and Mac systems.

Using AutoSave and AutoRecover reduces the danger of losing unsaved files. Use these built-in measures to safeguard your data and work. WinfrGUI is a user-friendly and robust Excel file recovery tool. Get lost or closed Excel files quickly with the free trial.