Deleted File Recovery

How to Recover an Excel Workbook That Was Deleted or Is Inaccessible

Muhammad Talha Sep 28, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user encounters an error stating that an Excel workbook has been deleted or is inaccessible, despite not manually deleting the file, and needs to recover the data.

How to Recover an Excel Workbook That Was Deleted or Is Inaccessible

Product: Microsoft Excel
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to open an Excel file stored locally or in cloud storage like OneDrive or SharePoint.
Observed behavior: Excel displays a warning message reading 'This workbook has either been deleted or is not currently accessible.' and blocks access to the file.

Before you start

Check your internet connection if the file is stored in OneDrive or SharePoint, and confirm whether the issue occurs with a single specific file or multiple Excel workbooks.

Solution 1Recommended

Restore the Workbook from OneDrive or SharePoint

If your workbook was stored in the cloud, you can use the Version History or Recycle Bin feature to restore the missing or corrupted file.

Network interruptions, synchronization errors, or accidental deletions by collaborators in shared folders often cause this accessibility error. Microsoft's cloud services retain previous versions and deleted files for a limited time.

Access your cloud storage

Open OneDrive or SharePoint in your web browser and sign in to your Microsoft account.

Check the original folder

Navigate to the folder where the inaccessible Excel workbook was originally saved.

Use version history

If the file is present but inaccessible, right-click it, select 'Version history', and restore a previous working version.

Check the recycle bin

If the file is missing entirely, click on the 'Recycle bin' in the left navigation panel, select your missing workbook, and click 'Restore'.

Restore the Workbook from OneDrive or SharePoint

Verification step: Once restored, open the file directly in the browser first to ensure it is fully accessible before attempting to open it in the desktop app.

Solution 2

Check Local AutoRecover Files and the Recycle Bin

For files saved directly on your computer's local drive, you can recover workbooks through Excel's built-in AutoRecover feature or the Windows Recycle Bin.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for Reliable Spreadsheet Management

Tired of dealing with inaccessible workbooks and unexpected file errors? WPS Office is a free, lightweight, and highly reliable alternative to Microsoft Office. It seamlessly opens your existing Excel files and provides powerful built-in local backup features to keep your data secure and accessible.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website to download and install the free WPS Office suite on your device.
2. Open Your Excel Files: Launch WPS Spreadsheet and easily drag and drop your existing .xlsx or .xls files into the workspace.
3. Enable Auto-Backup: Go to Menu > Settings > Backup Settings to turn on auto-backup, preventing future file access issues.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Excel formats (.xlsx, .xls, .csv).Built-in Local Backup Center to easily manage and recover previous file versions.Free, lightweight, and features an easy-to-use interface identical to Microsoft Office.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Excel display the 'not currently accessible' error when I didn't delete the file?

This usually happens if the file was moved, renamed, or deleted by another user in a shared cloud folder. It can also occur if your local network connection to OneDrive or SharePoint drops out while you are trying to open the file.

How do I fix file permission issues for shared Excel workbooks?

If a workbook is inaccessible due to permission restrictions, contact the original file owner to verify your access rights. Also, ensure you are signed into the correct Microsoft account that has been granted viewing or editing permissions for that specific file.

Are there other places to find my lost Excel file on my computer?

Yes. You can use your computer's built-in search tool (like the Windows taskbar search) to look for the exact file name in case it was accidentally dragged to a different directory. You can also search your temporary files folder by typing '%temp%' in the Run dialog.

Migration & Recovery