File Corruption & Recovery

How to Recover an Excel Workbook When the File Name Starts with ~$ (Tilde Dollar)

Muhammad Talha Oct 9, 2026 873 views

Question details

The user is attempting to recover an Excel workbook but is only able to locate a file whose name begins with a ~$ prefix, which cannot be opened normally.

How to Recover an Excel Workbook When the File Name Starts with ~$ (Tilde Dollar)

Product: Microsoft Excel
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: A user's original Excel workbook is missing, crashed, or inaccessible, and they are trying to use the remaining ~$ temporary file to restore their data.
Observed behavior: The file starting with ~$ cannot be opened or renamed to restore the document, as it does not contain the actual workbook data.

Before you start

Close Microsoft Excel or your spreadsheet software completely before attempting recovery, as the application might still be locking the files or preventing the original document from appearing.

Solution 1Recommended

Locate the Original Workbook or AutoRecover Backup

Since the ~$ file is merely a temporary lock file without actual data, you must locate the original file or check the built-in AutoRecover folder.

When you open an Excel file, the system automatically creates a hidden lock file starting with ~$ to prevent other users from making conflicting edits. This file is extremely small (usually 1KB) and contains no spreadsheet data. You cannot recover your work by simply renaming this file.

Instead, you must rely on Excel's AutoRecover feature or search for the original file name on your hard drive.

Close Active Spreadsheet Processes

Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager, locate any Microsoft Excel or WPS Spreadsheet background processes, select them, and click End Task to release the lock on your files.

Check the AutoRecover Folder

Open Excel, go to File > Options > Save, and copy the directory path listed next to 'AutoRecover file location'. Open File Explorer and paste this path into the address bar to look for unsaved backup folders.

Open and Save the Recovered File

If you find an .xlsb or .asd backup file in that folder, double-click to open it in your spreadsheet software, then immediately go to File > Save As to save it as a standard .xlsx workbook.

Locate the Original Workbook or AutoRecover Backup

Important: Do not rename the ~$ temporary file and expect it to contain your workbook. Doing so will result in a corrupted file error.

Solution 2

Restore from Cloud Storage Version History

If your original file was synced to OneDrive or SharePoint and went missing, you can restore a previous version from the cloud.

Solution 3

Check the System Trash or Recycle Bin

If the original workbook was accidentally deleted leaving only the lock file behind, you may be able to restore it from the Recycle Bin.

Advanced File Recovery in WPS Office

Never Lose Your Work Again with WPS Office Auto Backup

WPS Office features a robust Auto Backup and Document Recovery system that continuously saves your progress in the background. It effectively prevents data loss caused by unexpected crashes, power outages, or accidental deletions.

1. Enable Auto Backup: Open WPS Spreadsheet, go to Menu > Options > General and Save, and ensure that 'Auto backup' is enabled with a short time interval.
2. Access the Backup Center: If a crash occurs, relaunch WPS Spreadsheet and click Menu > Backup and Recovery > Auto Backup to open the Backup Center.
3. Restore Your File: Locate your missing spreadsheet in the Local Backup list, double-click to open it, and save it to your preferred location.

Built-in automatic backup and data recovery center for spreadsheetsFull compatibility with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx, .xls) formatsLightweight design with fast saving and loading timesFree to use with an intuitive, tabbed user interface

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is a file that starts with ~$?

A file starting with ~$ is an 'owner file' or temporary lock file created automatically by Excel or WPS Office when a document is opened. It is very small and only stores the login name of the user who has the file open, preventing others from editing it simultaneously.

Can I rename a ~$ file to .xlsx to recover my data?

No. Renaming this temporary lock file will not restore your data because the file contains no actual spreadsheet content, formatting, or formulas. Attempting to open it will only result in an error stating the file format or extension is invalid.

Why did my original Excel file disappear, leaving only the ~$ file?

This typically occurs if the application crashes unexpectedly, the original file is accidentally deleted or moved by another user, or there is a synchronization glitch with cloud storage drives (like OneDrive or Dropbox) while the document is still open.

Document & File Issues