File Corruption & Recovery

How to Recover an Unsaved Excel File on Mac

Huda Qurayshi Oct 9, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to recover an Excel workbook on a Mac that was closed or lost before being saved to the disk.

How to Recover an Unsaved Excel File on Mac

Product: Microsoft Excel
Device & OS: Mac
Scenario: The user accidentally closed an Excel workbook without saving, or the application crashed before the file could be saved.
Observed behavior: The unsaved Excel file is no longer accessible, and the user is trying to find if a temporary or AutoRecover version exists on the Mac.

Before you start

Before attempting recovery, ensure that your Mac has not been restarted, as some temporary files may be cleared during a reboot. Also, check the Mac Trash just in case the file was accidentally deleted rather than simply unsaved.

Solution 1Recommended

Use Excel's AutoRecover Feature

Excel automatically saves temporary versions of your work. This is the most reliable method for recovering unsaved files after a crash.

Microsoft Excel for Mac includes an AutoRecover feature that periodically saves a copy of your open files. If the application crashes or your Mac shuts down unexpectedly, these AutoRecovery files can often be retrieved.

Open Finder

Click on the Finder icon in your Mac's Dock to open a new window.

Access the Go to Folder menu

Click on 'Go' in the top Apple menu bar, then select 'Go to Folder...' from the dropdown list.

Navigate to the AutoRecovery path

Type or paste `~/Library/Containers/com.microsoft.Excel/Data/Library/Preferences/AutoRecovery` and hit Enter.

Locate and restore the file

Look for files starting with 'AutoRecovery save of'. Drag the file you need to your desktop, then open it with Excel and immediately save it.

AutoRecover Limitation: AutoRecover only works if it was enabled in your Excel settings and the file was open long enough for the autosave interval to pass (usually 10 minutes by default).

Solution 2

Check Recent Workbooks in Excel

Sometimes Excel retains a link to the unsaved file in its Recent lists, allowing you to quickly recover it.

Solution 3

Restore from OneDrive or SharePoint Version History

If your file was previously saved to cloud storage and AutoSave was turned on, you can restore a previous version from the cloud.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Use WPS Office for Reliable File Management and Autosaving

Tired of losing your unsaved work? WPS Office offers robust auto-backup features and cloud sync to ensure your spreadsheets are always safe. It's a free, lightweight alternative that provides a familiar interface and seamless migration from Microsoft Office.

1. Download and Install: Download WPS Office for Mac for free and follow the simple installation prompts.
2. Open Excel Files Directly: Double-click your existing .xlsx files to open them seamlessly in WPS Spreadsheet.
3. Enable Cloud Backup: Turn on WPS Cloud sync in the settings to automatically back up your documents as you work.

Built-in robust Auto-Backup prevents data loss on Mac.Fully compatible with Microsoft Excel formats (.xlsx, .xls, .csv).Free and lightweight, consuming less system resources.Familiar user interface makes switching effortless.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the AutoRecover folder on Mac?

The AutoRecover folder on a Mac is typically located at `~/Library/Containers/com.microsoft.Excel/Data/Library/Preferences/AutoRecovery`. You can access this by using the 'Go to Folder' option in the Finder menu.

Why is my AutoRecover folder empty?

The AutoRecover folder might be empty if the AutoRecover feature was disabled, the application was closed normally without saving, or the file wasn't open long enough for the autosave interval to trigger.

Can I recover an unsaved Excel file if I never saved it once?

It is very difficult. If the file was never saved to the disk and no AutoRecover copy was created in the temporary folder before closing, the data is likely permanently lost.

Document & File Issues