How to Recover Lost Information from Corrupted Microsoft Excel Files

Corrupted Excel files can be a major headache for anyone using Microsoft Excel. This article outlines effective methods to recover lost information, ensuring your data is not lost to corruption. We'll cover techniques using built-in Excel features, external tools, and software solutions designed for data recovery.

Tips for Using Wondershare Repairit

To recover data from a corrupted Excel file using the powerful Wondershare Repairit, follow these steps:

Download and Install the Software: Visit the official Wondershare website and download the Repairit software. Install it on your computer. Ensure Compatibility: Verify that the version of Wondershare Repairit you are using is compatible with both your operating system and the version of the Excel files you are repairing. Backup Files: Always maintain a backup of the corrupted Excel files before attempting any repair to avoid data loss. Stable Power Supply: Ensure that your computer is connected to a stable power supply during the repair process to prevent interruptions.

Methods to Recover Data from Corrupted Excel Files

Several methods are available to recover data from corrupted Excel files. Here are some steps and tips:

1. Open and Repair Workbook

Excel has a built-in repair feature to help you recover data:

Open Excel: Launch Excel on your computer. Open the File: Click on File > Open. Select the Corrupted File: Locate and select the corrupted file from your file explorer. Then, click the arrow next to the Open button and select Open and Repair to attempt to fix the file. If that doesn't work, choose Extract Data to retrieve values and formulas.

2. Recover Unsaved Workbooks

If Excel crashed without saving your file, you can try to recover it using AutoRecover:

Open Excel: Launch Excel on your computer. Access AutoRecover Files: Go to File > Info > Manage Workbook. Open Unsaved Files: Look for files labeled as closed without saving and open them.

3. Use Previous Versions

If you have File History enabled or use a backup system with versioning, restore an older version of the corrupted file:

Open File Explorer: Navigate to the file location in File Explorer. Open File Properties: Right-click on the corrupted file and select Properties. Access Previous Versions: Go to the Previous Versions tab. Restore an Earlier Version: Select a version before the corruption and click Restore.

4. Use External Programs

Third-party tools can offer advanced data recovery options. Some popular options include:

Stellar Phoenix Excel Repair Recovery Toolbox for Excel Kernel for Excel Repair

These tools often provide free trials to test their effectiveness on your data recovery needs.

5. Save File in HTML Format

Converting the file to an HTML format can sometimes help:

Open Excel: Launch Excel and click File > Open. Attempt to Open the Corrupted File: Try to open the corrupted file. Save as HTML: If the corrupted file opens, click File > Save As. Choose HTML Format: Select Web Page .htm .html and save it. Reopen the HTML File: Open the saved HTML file in Excel to retrieve your data.

6. Open in Word or WordPad

If the corruption is minor, you might be able to open the file in Word or WordPad:

Open Word or WordPad: Launch Word or WordPad from your computer. Attempt to Open the File: Go to File > Open and select the Excel file. Capture Data: If the file opens, copy the data and paste it into a new Excel file.

7. Move the File

Moving the file to a different location can sometimes resolve the issue:

Move the File: Transfer the corrupted file to a different drive or directory. Try Opening Again: Attempt to open the file from the new location.

8. Check for Excel Add-ins

Add-ins can sometimes cause corruption. Try opening Excel in safe mode and disabling add-ins:

Open Excel in Safe Mode: Hold down Ctrl while launching Excel. Attempt to Open Corrupted File: Try opening the corrupted file in safe mode. Manage Add-ins: If it opens, disable add-ins by going to File > Options > Add-ins and managing them one by one.

9. Contact Microsoft Support

If none of the above methods work, contact Microsoft Support:

Reach Out: Reach out to Microsoft Support for further assistance. They might have additional tools and methods to help recover your data.

By following these steps and tips, you can effectively recover lost information from corrupted Excel files. Use the appropriate method based on your specific situation and ensure a comprehensive approach to data recovery.