File Cannot Open

Fix Excel File Cannot Be Found After Being Moved, Renamed, or Deleted

Rana Garcia Sep 28, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user is unable to open an Excel file from a pinned list, email link, or recent folder.

How to Fix Excel File Cannot Be Found Error

Product: Microsoft Excel
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to open a previously accessible or shared Excel file using a shortcut or direct link in Microsoft 365.
Observed behavior: Excel prevents the workbook from opening and displays an error message stating that the file may have been moved, renamed, or deleted.

Before you start

Verify that you have an active internet connection and are logged into the correct Microsoft 365 or OneDrive account associated with the shared file.

Solution 1Recommended

Search for the Missing Excel File

Use built-in search tools in Windows or your cloud storage to locate the file if it was accidentally moved or renamed.

When an Excel file is moved to a new folder or its name is changed, existing shortcuts and pinned links break. Searching for the file by its original or partial name is the fastest way to track down its new location.

Use Windows Search

Press the Windows key on your keyboard, type the name of the Excel workbook in the search bar, and check the 'Documents' tab for matching results.

Search Cloud Storage

Log into your OneDrive or SharePoint account via a web browser. Click the search bar at the top of the page and type the file name to scan all cloud directories.

Contact the File Owner

If the file was shared with you by a colleague, reach out to the original owner. Ask them to confirm if they recently renamed the file, moved it to a private directory, or revoked sharing permissions.

Broken Shortcuts: Once you find the file in its new location, you will need to open it directly and pin it again, as the old shortcut will remain broken.

Solution 2

Restore the File from the Recycle Bin

If the file was accidentally deleted by you or a collaborator, you can often recover it from the system or cloud trash.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Excel say my file was moved, renamed, or deleted?

This error occurs when you attempt to open a file from a shortcut, a pinned item in your recent list, or an email link, but the original source file has been modified, shifted to a new folder, or deleted since the link was generated.

How do I remove invalid shortcuts from my Excel Recent list?

Open Excel and go to the 'Recent' files list. Right-click the broken file link causing the error and select 'Remove from list' to clear the invalid shortcut.

Can I recover a deleted Excel file if it is not in the Recycle Bin?

Yes, you might be able to recover it by right-clicking the folder where it used to be stored, selecting 'Properties', and checking the 'Previous Versions' tab. Alternatively, check your OneDrive Version History online.

Document & File Issues