Where Are Autosaved Files Stored? (Excel Auto Recovery File Location - Direct Answer)

Part 1. What Is AutoRecover in Excel? (How It Work)

The AutoRecover feature in Excel is a built-in safety net designed to protect your work from unexpected interruptions like power outages, crashes, or accidental closures without saving.

1What is the AutoRecover Feature in Excel?

• Automatically saves a backup copy of your open workbook at regular intervals (default: every 10 minutes).
• Creates temporary files in a hidden folder, allowing recovery of the latest version after a disruption.
• Works in the background without interrupting your workflow.
• Enabled by default in most versions, including Excel 365, but only for files that have been saved at least once. AutoRecover periodically captures your changes, so if Excel crashes, it can restore where recovered Excel files are stored upon restart.

2AutoRecover vs. AutoSave: Key Differences You Need to Know (list in a table)

Part 2. Where Are Excel AutoRecover Files Stored on Any Device? (Default Excel Auto Recovery File Location)

1On Windows (10/11/Excel 365)

On Windows 10/11, Excel AutoRecover files are typically saved in the following folder:

• The primary Excel recovery file location is: C:\Users[YourUsername]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Excel
• For unsaved workbooks (never saved before): C:\Users[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Office\UnsavedFiles
• You can access this folder by typing %AppData%\Microsoft\Excel in the file explorer's address bar.

2Mac (Excel for Microsoft 365)

For Mac users, AutoRecover files are stored in a different location:

• The default Excel autorecover file location Mac is: /Users/[YourUsername]/Library/Containers/com.microsoft.Excel/Data/Library/Application
• Support/MicrosoftOr alternatively (depending on version): /Users/[YourUsername]/Library/Containers/com.microsoft.Excel/Data/Library/Preferences/AutoRecovery
• To access it, open Finder and press Command + Shift + G, then paste the path above.

Part 3. How to Find and Recover Unsaved Excel Files (Step-by-Step)

If Excel crashes or you accidentally close without saving, don't panic—AutoRecover often has your back. Here are the most reliable methods to locate and recover unsaved Excel files, including where recovered Excel files are stored temporarily.

Method 1: Built-in Document Recovery pane (appears after crash).

After Excel crashes, it typically opens the Document Recovery pane upon reopening. This feature automatically lists any files that were not properly saved, including AutoRecovered files. Here's how to use it:

• Reopen Excel after a crash or unexpected shutdown. It should detect the issue and display the pane.

• In the Document Recovery task pane, you'll see recovered versions listed (e.g., "[Original]" or "[Recovered]")

  

• Click a file to open it, then save it immediately.

This method answers where files are saved when Excel crashes, they're pulled from the Excel auto recovery file location.

Method 2: Via "Recover Unsaved Workbooks" Feature

This method answers where files are saved when Excel crashes—they're pulled from the Excel auto recovery file location.

• Open Excel. Go to File > Info > Manage Workbook (or File > Open > Recent in some versions).

• At the bottom, click “Recover Unsaved Workbooks”.

  

• A folder opens with .asd files and double-click the relevant one to open and save.

This directly accesses the UnsavedFiles folder mentioned in the Excel autorecover location.

Method 3: Manually navigate to AutoRecover folder

If you don't see your unsaved file using the built-in recovery features, you can try accessing the AutoRecover folder directly:

• Navigate to the AutoRecover file location on your computer:

  a) For Windows: C:\Users<Your Username>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Excel\

  b) For Mac: ~/Library/Application Support/Microsoft/Office/Excel/

  

• Look for files with extensions such as .xlsx or .asd.

• Open the file and save it to a secure location.

Method 4: Search for .asd or .tmp files

Sometimes, AutoRecovered files may not show up in Excel's recovery options. In this case, try searching your computer for .asd or .tmp files:

• Open File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac).

• Search for files with the extension .asd (AutoRecover) or .tmp (temporary files).

• If you find any related files, try opening them in Excel and save them.

Part 4. How to Enable AutoRecover in Excel

To ensure that Excel automatically saves your work and can recover it in the event of a crash or power outage, you need to enable the AutoRecover feature. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to enable it:

• Open Excel and go to “File” > “Options”.

• In the Options window, select the Save tab on the left.

• Check the box for “Save AutoRecover information every X minutes” (adjust the time as needed).

• Also ensure “Keep the last autosaved version if I close without saving” is checked.

  

• Optionally, note or change the AutoRecover file location path.

• Click OK to apply.

⚡ Part 5. How to Fix Corrupted Autorecovered Excel Files

Even if you successfully locate files in the Excel auto recovery file location, recovered versions can sometimes become corrupted due to abrupt crashes, storage issues, or incomplete saves. Common errors include "Excel cannot open the file because the format or extension is not valid" or "The file is corrupted and cannot be opened."

For reliable repair, especially when built-in Excel tools fail, 4DDiG File Repair is an effective solution. This professional tool specializes in fixing corrupted Excel files (and other documents) in batch, addressing various errors like damaged headers, formulas, or data loss. It features an Advanced Repair mode for heavily damaged files, offering a high success rate without altering original content.

Key Features Relevant to Excel Repair

• Batch repair multiple corrupted Excel files (.xls, .xlsx) at once.
• Fixes common issues: unreadable content, formatting errors, "file not loaded completely," and more.
• Advanced Repair mode uses sample files or deep algorithms for severe corruption.
• Preview repaired files before saving.
• Supports Windows and Mac, with no file size limits. Steps to Repair Corrupted Excel Files Using 4DDiG File Repair

• Launch the software and select File Repair from the main interface. Click Add Files to import your corrupted or autorecovered Excel files (from the Excel autorecover location).

  

• Select the files and click “Repair” (or “Repair All” for batch).

  Tip:

  If standard repair fails, switch to Advanced Repair mode and provide a sample healthy Excel file for reference.4ddig.tenorshare.com

  

• Preview the fixed files, then export and save them.

  

People Also Ask about Excel Auto Recovery File Location

Temporary Excel files (.tmp) and AutoRecover backups are stored in the default Excel autorecover file location, typically C:\Users[Username]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Excel on Windows or the Library/Application Support folder on Mac.

AutoSave (for OneDrive files) syncs to the cloud, but local AutoRecover files are in C:\Users[Username]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Excel or the UnsavedFiles folder.

Possible reasons: AutoRecover was disabled, the save interval was too long, files expired (deleted after a period), or they're in hidden folders. Check the Document Recovery pane first, then manually search the excel recovery file location.

Excel saves versions to the AutoRecover folder automatically. Upon restart, they appear in the Document Recovery pane, pulled from paths like AppData on Windows or Library on Mac.

Conclusion

This concludes the full guide on Excel AutoRecover, from understanding the feature, finding Excel Auto Recovery file location, to recovering and repairing lost files. By using AutoRecover, you can protect your data and ensure that you're always able to retrieve lost or unsaved work when needed. Additionally, 4DDi G File Repair provides a reliable solution for fixing corrupted Excel files, making sure that even heavily damaged documents can be restored effectively.