Excel AutoSave Location: Where to Find and Recover Unsaved Excel Files (2016/2013/2007/2003)

Excel AutoSave Location: Where to Find and Recover Unsaved Excel Files (2016/2013/2007/2003)

Computer crash and power failure occur frequently and unexpectedly. If you happen to be working hard on an Excel workbook but forget to save it in time when Excel stops working; or if you accidentally close the file without saving it, it would be a big tragedy. But, thankfully, Microsoft Excel has built-in AutoSave and AutoRecover features which can help you avoid losing important data. Follow us to see how these features recover unsaved excel files on Excel 2016/2013/2011/2007/2003.

We will also introduce a professional data recovery that can help you out when Excel’s built-in features fail to work recover excel files that are not saved. A good habit of saving Excel files on time and preparing a backup copy will also work to your advantage.

Recover Unsaved Excel Files via AutoRecover

Microsoft Excel now has a built-in AutoRecover feature which can help users retrieve the files if Excel closes unexpectedly due to power failure or computer crash. It can restore the unsaved file to the last saved version. When Excel closes unexpectedly without saving your work, don’t worry. Next time you run Excel, you can see the retrieved file in the Document Recovery pane.

But it should be noted that Excel AutoRecover is not workable unless you have saved the file at least once. If you have never saved the file before Excel accidentally stops working, the file will not be recovered.

Locate and Recover Unsaved Excel Files via AutoSave Folder

With AutoSave, another built-in feature of Microsoft Excel, a newly created excel file can be saved automatically in a preset interval. Even if users forget to save the file, they will not totally lose it when something goes wrong.

Like AutoRecover, AutoSave is turned on by default in Excel, and it also allows users to define the interval of auto saving and the location of the saved excel file. Once you close Excel documents without saving, the first thing that you should do when reopen Excel is to recover unsaved Excel files from AutoSave folder where the temporary excel files are stored.

To reach the auto-saved Excel files, do as the following steps:

Step 1 : Click File > Open > Recent Workbooks.

Step 2 : Go to the Recover Unsaved Workbooks.

Step 3 : Select the needed file and click Open.

Step 4 : When the document open in Excel, remember to click the Save as a button in the yellow bar above your worksheet and save the file to the desired location.

Tip: Change Excel AutoSave Location and Settings

You can decide where to save autosave files in Excel and also how long should Excel autosave a document.

Step 1 : Go to Excel autosave settings on your computer.

• Microsoft Excel 2013 and 2016 AutoSave Location: In Excel, click File > Options > Save.
• Microsoft Excel 2007 AutoSave Location: Click the Microsoft button > Excel > Save.

Step 2 : Make sure both the Save AutoRecover information every X minutes box and Keep the last autosaved version if I close without saving box are selected.

Step 3 : In the Save AutoRecover information every X minutes box, you can shorten or lengthen the interval as you like. In the AutoRecover File Location box, you can also decide where to put your saved file.

AutoSave Not Working? Restore Unsaved Excel Files in This Way

Though AutoSave is a very useful function, like all the other built-in features, it does not work well all the time. In fact, we have heard users complain from time to time that, even though they have seen the taskbar shows that Excel auto-saved their file many times, they have no luck in getting the latest saved version. That would be a nightmare if your efforts devoted to work are in vain. But, don’t be upset or panicked, a professional data recovery, FonePaw Data Recovery

(opens new window) , for example, can be your great help. The program can recover lost or deleted Excel files, word documents and more from your Windows computer. In just a few steps, you can have your lost excel file back:

Step 1. Download and Install FonePaw Data Recovery

Step 2. Select "Document" and Start Scanning

In the homepage, you can select file type and hard drive for the data recovery to scan. If you want to find your lost Excel workbook, click "Document" and the hard drive where you have lost it, for example, Disk (C:) , then click "Scan" to start the process.

Step 3. Preview The Scanned Results

FonePaw Data Recovery will present the scanned files in two lists, one is type list where all the data are categorized according to their formats; the other is Path list in which the founding documents are classified by their location.

In Type List, Select ".xlsx" . If there are ".xlk" documents, you should also select them, because ".xlk" document is the backup copy of Excel file.

Step 4. Recover The Lost Excel File

When you find the lost Excel file, select it and click Recover, then it will be safely put back to your device. If your excels are corrupted but you still need them, this way also works to recover the corrupted excel files.

Tips on Saving Excel Files

Though AutoSave and AutoRecovery are great features; data recovery is also a good tool, they are just temporary remedies. A good habit of saving important data and an awareness of preparing a backup of your Excell files can save you much trouble in the long run. Follow our bonus tips on how to save Excel files.

Shorten The Interval of Excel AutoSave

The amount of new information that the recovered Excel file contains depends on how frequently Excel auto saves the file. If your file is set to be auto-saved every 10 minutes, your newly input data of the last 8 minutes won’t be contained when encountering a power failure or computer crash. Therefore, to save as much information as possible, you can enter a small number in the minutes box. The more frequently your Excel worksheet is saved, the more chances you will recover a complete file.

Backup Excel Files

A less commonly known feature of Excel is Auto Backup. In fact, this is a very useful function, for it can not only help you avoid losing important data, but it also allows you to have access to the previously saved version of your workbook. If you enable this function, the moment when you save the file, an Excel backup file will also be created with a ".xlk" extension. You don’t have to worry that your file might disappear, for you can always refer to the backup.

Since the backup file is always one version behind the current version, if you make a bunch of changes to the file, save it but suddenly change your mind and want to get back to the previous version, you could just open the backup file, too. This will save you much trouble of rewriting the data.

To enable this feature, do as the followings:

Step 1 : Go to File> Save as >Computer on Excel.

Step 2 : Click the Browse button.

Step 3 : When the Save as dialog window pops up, click the drop-down button of the Tools button which is at the lower right corner.

Step 4 : Among a couple of options, select General Options> Always create backup.

Step 5 : Click OK. Now a backup copy will be created automatically every time you save your file.

After reading this article, do you have a better understanding of how to recover unsaved Excel files? Remember, if they fail to work, you can turn to FonePaw Data Recovery for help. And don’t forget to form a habit of saving files in time and always preparing a backup!

How to Turn on AutoSave in Excel

This article explains how to use the AutoSave function in Excel for Microsoft 365, Excel 2019, 2016, 2013, and 2010. It also explains AutoRecover, how to recover a file, and what to do if you don't have the AutoSave feature.

AutoSave vs. AutoRecover

AutoSave automatically saves your files to your OneDrive and SharePoint account. You’ll need to configure OneDrive or SharePoint so they’re correctly connected, and this is a feature available only in Microsoft 365. This also allows you to «co-edit» documents with others.

AutoRecover temporarily keeps changes in a directory on your computer. Available since Office 2007, it does not automatically save your files. Instead, if your computer shuts off or Excel closes without saving, you have the option to recover your work. It saves this information on a set interval, usually 10 minutes, but it's only temporary. If you choose not to recover your data, it will delete the data, and you'll be back to square one.

Neither of these is a replacement for the Save command. Get in the habit of saving your work consistently, especially when you're about to close. It's essential to configure both AutoSave and AutoRecover if you have both options.

How to Turn on AutoSave in Excel

Since 2010, Excel has мейд only minor changes to the AutoSave function. If you're using Excel 2010 or later, you'll find this menu in the same place.

Open Excel and select File > Options.

In the menu that opens, select Save on the left.

If you have a OneDrive or SharePoint account, select AutoSave OneDrive and SharePoint Online files by default on Excel. This will save your work on OneDrive and SharePoint accounts in real-time, preserving a backup if you lose your laptop.

Only enable this for password-protected files. Never share sensitive information such as Social Security numbers or financial data via a OneDrive or SharePoint file.

Select Save AutoRecover information and choose the interval at which you'd like to save it. The default is 10 minutes, but you can set it lower or higher, depending on your preferences.

Select Keep the last AutoRecovered version if I close without saving to preserve your work if you lose power or accidentally close Excel.

Make a note of where Excel will save these files. If you prefer a more accessible location, you can write it out here.

You may be unable to see your AutoRecover location in File Explorer, depending on whether or not you're logged in as an administrator and what your settings are for data recovery. You also may be unable to change the file path if you're not an administrator.

How to Recover an Excel File Using AutoRecover

To access the AutoRecover version of your Excel workbook, select File > Open, then scroll down to the Recover Unsaved Workbooks section and choose your file.

What If My Version of Excel Doesn't Have AutoSave?

If you don’t have an AutoSave option in your version of Excel or don’t want to use OneDrive or SharePoint to back up your files, you can also use third-party software like Гугл Drive or Dropbox to back up your data regularly.

Before using these services, think carefully about potential security and space. If you're backing up confidential information, there's an inherent risk of a breach. If you're looking to save documents for work, consult your workplace's IT department, if available, for solutions they've vetted.

Additionally, any backup service will have a limited amount of space, and you'll probably want to use it to backup other files as well. More room is available, but you'll have to subscribe to it. Look at your needs carefully before signing on to any backup service.

Автосохранение в Ворде

Благодаря полезной функции «Автосохранение» не придется переживать за статью либо дипломную работу, если вдруг случаем закрыли документ Ворда. К тому же никто из нас не застрахован от зависания ноутбука либо выключения электро энергии – ведь это будет так не впору, и все старания и новейшие корректировки текста будут изготовлены впустую. Нужно любому юзеру настроить автосохранение в Ворде и при необычной ситуации пребывать в спокойствии, ведь документ будет сохранен автоматом.

Включение и настройка «Автосохранения» в Ворд 2007-2016

В каждой версии Ворда функция «Автосохранение» включена автоматом. Бывает, что просвет меж автосохранениями очень велик (целых 10 минут) и возможно, если сядет батарея ноутбука, часть текста не сохранится, потому что сохранение было минут 8 вспять. И всё, что вы настрочили за крайние минутки либо изменили, не применится к документу. Чтоб не было таковых казусных ситуаций, начнем настраивать автосохранение. Ниже будет предоставлена информация, где будет наглядно показано, где находится автосохранение в Ворде (животрепещуще для версий 2007, 2010, 2013 и 2016).

Следует перейти во вкладку «Файл» либо надавить по кнопочке «MS Word» в ранешних версиях и избрать раздел «Характеристики».

Во всплывающем новеньком диалоговом окне надавить по «Сохранение». В представленных настройках в подразделе «Сохранение документов» поставить галочку напротив «Автосохранение любые «10» мин». Последующим принципиальным действием будет настройка времени, необходимо поставить самый небольшой период меж автосохранениями в 1 минутку.

Непременно сохраните опции, нажмите на «Ок».

Опосля неожиданного отключения ноутбука сейчас не придется волноваться. При повторном открытии документа, Ворд предоставит запасную копию файла со всеми ранее внесенными корректировками, которую можно сохранить в комфортное пространство, например, на десктоп либо диск.

Автосохранение в Ворд 2003

В данной версии стоит перейти в меню «Сервис» и надавить на «Характеристики».

В представленных окнах необходимо избрать «Сохранение». Поставить галочку напротив автосохранения, в случае если она там не стоит, и задать подходящий просвет. Идеальнее всего чтоб документ сохранялся каждую минутку.

Сохраните опции, нажав по кнопочке «Ок».

Где хранятся файлы опосля автосохранения

Следует открыть во вкладке «Файл» раздел «Характеристики» и избрать «Сохранение». В этом разделе можно выяснить, где находятся документы, сохраненные Вордом, а конкретно их четкий адресок, который размещен напротив строки «Размещение файлов по дефлоту».

Чтоб стремительно передвигаться меж файлами, можно настроить размещение документов в подходящем месте, это быть может неважно какая папка на твердом диске. Откройте Ворд и перейдите в данные опции, в строке «Размещение файлов по дефлоту» нажмите на «Обзор».

Дальше в левой части нужно избрать папку либо область, куда будут сохраняться файлы Ворда. Например, нажимаете на десктоп и создаете новейшую папку, задаете ей имя и жмёте на «ОК».

Сейчас, судя по картинке ниже, можно сказать, что путь сохранения документов поменялся. Это десктоп и папка под заглавием «Статьи Ворд». Сохраните конфигурации нажав по кнопочке «ОК».

Работать с документами станет намного проще и безопаснее, если настроить верно автосохранение. Разрешите мыслить о сохранности ваших статей редактору текста Ворд.