OneDrive File Issues

How to Recover Missing Excel Data After OneDrive Sync Failure

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to recover newly added measurements and a copied worksheet in an Excel file that vanished following a OneDrive synchronization issue.

Product: Microsoft Excel, OneDrive
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: The user was working on an Excel file stored in OneDrive, but after Excel reported syncing changes, the new data and an entire worksheet were lost.
Observed behavior: New edits and copied tabs disappeared from the file. Standard file history and unsaved recovery options do not show the missing data.

Before you start

Ensure you are logged into the correct Microsoft 365 account on the web and check your internet connection before attempting to search for or restore missing OneDrive files.

Solution 1Recommended

Check OneDrive Version History and Restoration Options

Use OneDrive's built-in version history and restore tools to find the last synced state of your Excel file before the data loss occurred.

Even if Excel's local File History does not show the missing data, OneDrive retains older versions and deleted files on its backend servers for a limited time.

Check Office File Versions

Open the file in Excel, click on the file name at the top window bar, and select 'Version History' to browse and restore previous versions of the spreadsheet.

Review the OneDrive Recycle Bin

Log into OneDrive online via your web browser, click on 'Recycle bin' on the left navigation panel, and look for any deleted or replaced versions of your Excel file.

Use OneDrive Restore

In the online OneDrive portal, click the gear icon (Settings) and select 'Restore your OneDrive'. Choose a date and time before the data disappeared to roll back your entire OneDrive state.

Contact Microsoft 365 Administrator: If the data is still missing after checking these locations, contact your Microsoft 365 administrator and ask them to open a support request with Microsoft to investigate backend server logs.

Solution 2

Troubleshoot and Reset OneDrive Synchronization

Resolve the underlying OneDrive synchronization error to ensure future Excel changes are saved and synced properly.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for Stable Local and Cloud Spreadsheet Management

If you frequently experience synchronization issues or data loss with Microsoft Office and OneDrive, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, free, and highly stable environment with robust local backups and full compatibility with Microsoft Excel formats.

1. Download and Install: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free version for your operating system.
2. Open Your Spreadsheets: Launch WPS Spreadsheets and easily open your existing Excel (.xlsx) files without losing any formatting or formulas.
3. Enable Cloud Sync: Sign in to your WPS account and enable auto-sync or adjust your local backup settings to keep your data secure.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx, .xls) formats.Reliable local auto-backup and document recovery to prevent data loss.Lightweight installation with fast loading times.Built-in WPS Cloud service for seamless and stable multi-device synchronization.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did my Excel data disappear even though OneDrive said it was syncing?

This can happen due to a sync conflict, temporary network drops, or cache issues where Excel believes the data is uploaded, but the server hasn't fully processed or saved the new changes.

Can Microsoft support recover permanently deleted OneDrive files?

In some cases, a Microsoft 365 administrator can contact Microsoft support to restore data from backend server backups up to 14 days after deletion, but successful recovery is not guaranteed.

How do I stop OneDrive from deleting my local Excel files?

You can right-click the file or folder in Windows File Explorer and select 'Always keep on this device'. This ensures a local copy is always downloaded and available on your hard drive regardless of its cloud sync status.

Document & File Issues