7 Methods For Recovering Permanently Deleted Excel Files (2024)

Microsoft Excel is popular in different industries because of its excellent data analysis and visualization features. However, many people lose Excel files because of accidental deletion, corrupted drives, virus infections, software issues, or hardware issues.

All of that hard work goes to waste. Not only that, but this usually means missing essential deadlines at work, and nobody wants to do the same work twice, right?

That's why you should learn how to recover permanently deleted Excel files in Windows to ensure you don't waste your time or get into trouble at work. Today, we've decided to talk about how to recover permanently deleted Excel files and to share practical ways.

How Can You Lose Your Excel Files?

Files can get lost or deleted in many different ways. The most common scenario is human error. While working, you can accidentally press the wrong key or button and delete files. On the other hand, people often drag and drop files in the wrong places and end up deleting them.

People often forget to check the folders they're deleting, believing there's nothing important inside, only to realize later that they've deleted the information they need. Excel users run scripts and macros, but you might unintentionally delete files if you run the wrong one or at the wrong time.

Viruses and malware can also delete your files as this is a part of their activities. Ultimately, all those software bugs, glitches, and hardware issues could lead to data loss.

How to Recover Permanently Deleted Excel Files in Windows 10

👉Method 1: Restore From Recycle Bin

1. Click on Start, type "Recycle Bin," and click on the first result.

   

2. Scroll through your Recycle Bin to locate your files.
3. Select your deleted Excel files, right-click them, and click Restore.

   

4. Your files will be restored to their original location before being deleted.

👉Method 2: Restore From Old Backups

The Backup and Restore option has been completely removed in Windows 8.1, but if you've used this tool in the past to set up backups, you can still use it to recover files even though you can't create new backups. Here's how to do it:

1. Click on Start, type "Backup," and click on the first result.

   

2. Click on Go to Backup and Restore (Windows 7) under the "Looking for an older backup?" option.

   

3. Click Select another backup to restore files from and select the backup you're looking for. Click Next.

   

4. Follow the instructions and wait until the process is complete.

👉Method 3: Recover From a File History Backup

This method is only possible if your Windows backups are activated. It's a straightforward method that doesn't include many steps:

1. Click on Start, type "Control Panel," and click on the first result.

   

2. Click System and Security once you're in the Control Panel.

   

3. Click File History in the next window and then Restore personal files.

   

4. Locate the deleted Excel files, select them, and click the Recycle icon in the middle of the screen at the bottom.

   

5. Wait until the process is completed, and look for your files at their original location.

👉Method 4: Restore Using Restore Previous Versions

The previous version's restore option is good if you can't restore from file history or your recycle bin. Here are the following steps:

1. Click on Start, type "File Explorer," and click on the first result.

   

2. Navigate to the location of the folder where your deleted files were located.
3. Right-click the folder and click Properties.

   

4. Click on the Previous Versions card, select the version before the files have been deleted, and click Restore in the bottom right corner.

   

5. Wait until the process is completed, and check the folder to see if your files have been restored.

👉Method 5: Restore Using Wondershare Recoverit

Wondershare Recoverit is a professional-grade data recovery tool that anyone can use to recover deleted files, including Excel documents, effectively. Before you can use it, you must download and install Wondershare Recoverit.

Here's how it works:

1. Launch Wondershare Recoverit, click Hard Drives and Locations, and select the storage drive on the right where your Excel files were located.

   

2. The app will automatically locate deleted Excel files and show them in real time.

   

3. Click Preview to check if those are the files you're looking for. When confirmed, click Recover in the bottom right corner.

   

4. Name the file, select the recovery destination, and click Save.

   

👉Method 6: Recover With the Windows File Recovery Tool

The Windows File Recovery tool is often overlooked because it can be complex. However, it's really effective at recovering deleted or lost files. Before you start the process, download and install the Windows File Recovery tool.

Here are the steps:

1. Click on Start, type "Windows File Recovery," and click on the first result.

   

2. Type "winfr source-drive: destination-drive: /switches" in the command line and press enter.

   

3. Once finished, t.pe "Winfr E: C: /extensive /n test," press enter, and type "y" when asked to continue and press enter. Wait for the process to be completed.

   

👉Method 7: Recover With Command Prompt

This is the most complex method on our list, but it can often be the only working option apart from using a professional data recovery tool. Here's how to do it:

1. Click on Start, type "CMD," and click on the first Result.

   

2. Click on Run as administrator if asked.
3. When the Command Prompt window opens, type "chkdsk X: /f" and press enter. Remember that "X" should replace the letter of the drive where your Excel files were stored.

   

4. Type "ATTRIB -H -R -S /S /D X:*.*" and press enter and wait until the process is complete.

   

Remember that it might last for some time, so be patient and don't turn off your computer.

Conclusion

The best methods to recover permanently deleted Excel files are to restore files from the recycle bin, restore using old backups, restore using file history, restore folders to previous versions, use a professional recovery tool, use Windows File Recovery, or use the command prompt.

These work methods depend on the file loss circ*mstances and your system. Use the table we've created to select the best place to start and work through the methods until you've successfully recovered your Excel files.