how to find a previously saved version of a workbook W?orked all day on a massiv
ID: 3562777 • Letter: H
Question
how to find a previously saved version of a workbook
W?orked all day on a massive spreadsheet. Hit the save button regularly, it's a vital document.
Needed to insert 60 rows of new data - kept them on a separate sheet until I was sure of the formatting etc.
Copied these rows, then pasted them into the main sheet, thinking I was inserting them.
Realised immediately that I'd overwritten the existing rows, not inserted the new ones into their own space - UNDO not available, aaargh!!
How can I find the workbook as it was yesterday/last time I opened it???
Seem to remember that autosaved ffiles are in a library somewhere?!
Very grateful for any ideas, pacing the floor now and trying to breathe....
Explanation / Answer
PMFJI, but I just wanted to make sure that misinterpretation of your experience didn't have an adverse affect on your work habits :-) Saving as you work most definitely is a good precaution, so I encourage you to keep ddoing so. Your downfall is neglecting to maintain a current backup of what you consider to be a "vital file".
Jim already has referred to using Time Machine, but there are other options available. The simplest is contained within Excel, itself... When you go into Ssave As [either on initial Save or by using File> Save As in an existing file] click the Options button, then check the box for Always create backup. NOTE: When you use the Always Create Backup option in Microsoft Excel, you automatically create a backup file for the file that is currently open when you save the file. You must select the option in each file that you want to back up.
Just to be clear, I want to emphasize that Always Create Backup is completely separate & distinct from the AutoRecovery feature you referred to originally. AutoRecover does not, nor is it intended to, make backup copies. It maintains a temporary version while working which can be regained [usually] in the event of a critical failure of the program or the computer. However, that temporary AutoRecovery Data file is instantly disposed of when closing files normally.
IOW, an AutoRecovery Data file is retained only if the workbook file to which it pertains is caused to quit unexpectedly before Excel has an opportunity to delete its autorecovery file. A file created by Always Create Backup is actually written to the same folder as the original & is perpetually maintained 1 Save/version behind the working copy.
Related Questions
Navigate
Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.