Version History Issues

How to Recover an Earlier Version of an Excel Workbook

Phi Hung Vo Oct 23, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user accidentally modified and saved an Excel workbook and needs to restore the file to an earlier version from today.

How to Recover an Earlier Version of an Excel Workbook from Today

Product: Microsoft Excel
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: An Excel worksheet was accidentally cut, altered, or deleted, and the file was saved, overwriting the desired data.
Observed behavior: The current saved workbook contains unwanted changes, and the user seeks a way to revert to the workbook's state from prior to the modifications.

Before you start

Before starting the recovery process, verify whether your Excel file was saved locally on your computer's hard drive or synced to a cloud service like OneDrive or SharePoint, as this determines which recovery method will work.

Solution 1Recommended

Recover Using OneDrive or SharePoint Version History

This is the most reliable method if your Excel file is synced to the cloud and the AutoSave feature is enabled.

Microsoft 365 automatically saves versions of your files as you work if they are stored in OneDrive or SharePoint. This allows you to easily view and restore older versions of a workbook from earlier in the day.

Open the file

Launch Microsoft Excel and open the workbook you want to restore from your OneDrive or SharePoint folder.

Access Version History

Click directly on the file name located in the top title bar of the Excel window, then select 'Version History' from the drop-down menu.

Select and restore

A pane will open on the right showing previous versions. Click on a version from before the accidental changes were made to open it. Once verified, click 'Restore' to overwrite the current file, or 'Save a Copy' to keep both versions.

Recover Using OneDrive or SharePoint Version History

AutoSave Advantage: Keeping AutoSave toggled on ensures you always have access to a rich version history of your cloud-saved documents.

Solution 2

Recover Local Files Using Excel AutoRecover or Windows

Use this method if your Excel workbook was saved locally on your computer rather than in the cloud.

Use WPS Office to Easily Manage and Recover Workbook Versions

WPS Office provides a highly reliable built-in Backup Center for local files and robust Cloud Version History. Even if you forget to save manually, WPS Office makes recovering older versions of your spreadsheets effortless.

1. Open your spreadsheet in WPS Office: Launch WPS Spreadsheets and open the workbook you need to recover.
2. Access the Backup Center: Click on 'Menu' in the top-left corner, navigate to 'Backup and Recovery', and select 'Backup Center'.
3. Locate the previous version: Choose 'Local Backup' or 'Cloud Backup' based on your save location, and browse the timestamped list of your files from today.
4. Restore your file: Double-click the desired older version to open it, verify the data, and save it as your current working file.

Seamless format compatibility with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx and .xls) files.Built-in Backup Center that automatically manages local file recovery.Integrated WPS Cloud providing instant access to rich version history.Free, lightweight, and features a familiar user interface for a smooth transition.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I recover a previous version of an Excel file if AutoSave was turned off?

If AutoSave was disabled and the file was not synced to OneDrive or SharePoint, the Version History pane will not be available. You will need to rely on local Windows backups (Previous Versions tab) or check Excel's AutoRecover folder for temporary saves.

Where are Excel AutoRecover files stored on Windows by default?

By default, Windows stores Excel AutoRecover files in the hidden AppData folder. The typical path is C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Excel\. You can paste this path into File Explorer to check for recent backups.

Does saving a copy of a previous version overwrite my current workbook?

No, if you choose 'Save a Copy' from the Version History pane, it will create a brand new file alongside your current workbook. Only clicking 'Restore' will overwrite your current active document with the older version.

Document & File Issues