Have you ever made changes to an Excel file and later wished you could go back to an earlier version? Maybe you accidentally deleted important data or saved over something you should not have. Fortunately, Excel gives you options to restore a previous version of your file. Whether you are working from a local computer, OneDrive, or SharePoint, this guide will walk you through the exact steps.
In this blog, you will learn how to restore a previous version of an Excel file using different methods. We will also cover tips to help you avoid data loss in the future.
Mistakes happen. Sometimes you overwrite a file with the wrong data, delete something important, or save changes by accident. In many cases, you may not realize your mistake until hours or days later. That is why knowing how to restore an earlier version of your Excel file can save you time and frustration.
Restoring a previous version allows you to:
Recover lost data
Undo major changes
Fix errors without starting over
Review past versions for reference
The best part is that you do not need to install extra software. Excel, Windows, and OneDrive all offer built-in tools to help you.
If your Excel file is stored in OneDrive, you can take advantage of version history. This feature automatically saves older versions every time the file is edited.
Go to the OneDrive website and sign in to your account
Locate the Excel file you want to restore
Right-click on the file and choose Version History
A list of earlier versions will appear with timestamps
Click Open Version next to the one you want
If it looks correct, click Restore
This will replace the current file with the version you selected. You can always repeat the steps to choose another version if needed.
If your computer shut down unexpectedly or Excel crashed, the AutoRecover feature might have saved your work automatically.
Open Excel
If AutoRecover files are available, you will see the Document Recovery pane on the left
Click the available file name to open it
Review the file and click Save As to keep a copy
AutoRecover only works if it was enabled before the crash. Also, it does not replace the manual saving of files, but it can be a helpful backup in emergencies.
Windows also has a built-in feature called File History. It can keep multiple versions of your documents as long as it is turned on.
Find the Excel file on your computer
Right-click the file and select Properties
Click the Previous Versions tab
You will see a list of earlier saved versions if File History is enabled
Select the version you want and click Restore or Open to preview
Keep in mind that File History must be set up in advance for this to work. It saves versions to a separate backup location on your computer or external drive.
If your file is stored on a SharePoint site, you can also restore older versions directly from the SharePoint interface.
Log in to your SharePoint site
Navigate to the folder where the Excel file is saved
Click the three dots next to the file name
Choose Version History
Click the dropdown arrow next to the version you want and choose Restore
SharePoint stores multiple versions of your files automatically, making it ideal for teams and shared workspaces.
Now that you know how to restore previous versions, here are a few tips to help you avoid future data loss.
Use OneDrive or SharePoint whenever possible. Cloud storage includes automatic version history and better recovery options.
In Excel for Microsoft 365, AutoSave automatically saves your file every few seconds. Make sure it is turned on when working from OneDrive.
If you are about to make big changes, use Save As to create a copy of your file. This allows you to keep the original version intact.
File History keeps backups of your documents. To enable it, go to Windows Settings, search for File History, and turn it on with a backup drive.
If none of the methods above work, try the following:
Check the Recycle Bin in case the file was deleted
Search for unsaved files in Excel by going to File then Open and clicking Recover Unsaved Workbooks
Use professional data recovery tools as a last resort
Losing important data in Excel does not mean you have to start over. Whether you are using a personal computer, cloud storage, or a shared network, there are multiple ways to restore older versions of your files. Tools like OneDrive version history, Windows File History, and AutoRecover in Excel make the process simple and effective.
Knowing how to restore a previous version of an Excel file can save hours of work and give you peace of mind. Take a few minutes to set up these features so you are always prepared in the future.
1. Can I restore an Excel file that I did not save
Yes, if AutoRecover is enabled. Open Excel, go to File, then Open, and select Recover Unsaved Workbooks.
2. Does OneDrive keep a history of all versions
Yes, OneDrive saves earlier versions of your files automatically if they are edited. You can restore them at any time.
3. Is File History available on all Windows versions
File History is available on most versions of Windows 10 and Windows 11. You need to set it up and connect a backup drive.
4. Can I preview an older Excel version before restoring it
Yes, in OneDrive and SharePoint, you can click Open Version to view the file before deciding to restore it.
5. What if I overwrite a file by mistake
If version history is enabled in OneDrive or File History is active, you can recover the earlier version and undo the mistake.
