Deleted File Recovery

How to Recover a Missing or Deleted Microsoft Form

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to restore a missing Microsoft Form that was previously connected to an Excel workbook and contains valuable research data and complex branching logic.

Product: Microsoft Forms
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Accessing a previously functional Microsoft Form link that was connected to an Excel workbook.
Observed behavior: The form link reports that the form no longer exists, preventing access to the form and its underlying data.

Before you start

Verify that you are signed into the correct Microsoft 365 account that was originally used to create the form, as switching accounts is the most common reason forms appear to be missing.

Solution 1Recommended

Check My Forms and the Recycle Bin

Verify if the form was accidentally deleted and restore it directly from the Microsoft Forms recycle bin.

If a form is accidentally deleted, it is moved to a temporary recycle bin where it can be recovered by the original owner.

Sign in to Microsoft Forms

Navigate to the Microsoft Forms website and sign in with the account of the user who originally created the form.

Review Active Forms

Scroll through the 'My Forms' or 'Recent' tab to ensure the form was not simply misplaced.

Access the Recycle Bin

Click on the 'Recycle bin' icon located at the bottom right of the Microsoft Forms portal page.

Restore the Form

Locate the missing form in the list, hover your cursor over it, and click 'Restore' to recover the form and its data.

Ownership Changes: If the form was moved to a Microsoft 365 Group or ownership was transferred, it will appear under the 'My groups' section rather than your personal 'My Forms' list.

Solution 2

Contact Microsoft 365 Tenant Administrator

If the form was permanently deleted or tied to a removed user account, the tenant administrator may be able to restore it via the admin center.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Microsoft Form link say the form no longer exists?

This error usually occurs if the form was intentionally or accidentally deleted, moved to a different Microsoft 365 group, or if the original creator's Microsoft account was disabled or deleted.

Can I recover a Microsoft Form if it was permanently deleted from the recycle bin?

Once a form is purged from the Microsoft Forms user recycle bin, it is considered permanently deleted. You will need to contact your IT Administrator or Microsoft Support for further assistance, though recovery is not guaranteed.

How do I reconnect a recovered Microsoft Form to my Excel workbook?

Once the form is recovered, open it in Microsoft Forms, navigate to the 'Responses' tab, and click 'Open in Excel' to generate a new connected workbook, or re-map it using Power Automate.

Are group forms recovered differently than personal forms?

Yes. If a form was created in or moved to a Microsoft Teams or Microsoft 365 Group, its deletion is tied to that group. A tenant administrator would need to restore the deleted Microsoft 365 Group from the admin center to recover the attached form.

Migration & Recovery