Unexpected Data Cell Changes - Excel/SharePoint

Question

Unexpected Data Cell Changes - Excel/SharePoint

FRV [NC] 20

Good day,

We have run into an issue with unwanted data change on excel. Within 10 minute (base on historical version) more then 150 cell of data were change and not by any user. Example: Account into Sccatnt or Occuidt. Those were the obvious finds.

cell information:

General - written info - we have fill in color

more then 6000 row with 12 column of data

We use sharepoint for access. however, this happen with only one person working on the file and had it open in app.

is this a known issue?
is it signed of corruption?
how can we prevent it?

thank you,

Josh Weigner 1 Reputation point

2025-10-22T13:44:49.4666667+00:00

We have a customer running into the exact same issue starting last week. Looking at the version history, there are cells that have had data entered, which will disappear in a future version even though the cells are not highlighted as modified by any user. Sometimes in another version a few hours after that, the data mysteriously reappears, again, with no sign that the cell was modified. In our case the users are also accessing the data using the Excel desktop app. They have been instructed to start using on the web version, but too early to tell if that will have any impact.

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Josh Weigner 1 Reputation point

2025-10-22T13:44:49.4666667+00:00

We have a customer running into the exact same issue starting last week. Looking at the version history, there are cells that have had data entered, which will disappear in a future version even though the cells are not highlighted as modified by any user. Sometimes in another version a few hours after that, the data mysteriously reappears, again, with no sign that the cell was modified. In our case the users are also accessing the data using the Excel desktop app. They have been instructed to start using on the web version, but too early to tell if that will have any impact.

Answer 1

Good day @FRV [NC],

Welcome to Q&A Forum!

Based on the symptoms, it may be related to one of the following:

File corruption or sync conflict: When working with large Excel files via the desktop app connected to SharePoint, sync issues or temporary corruption can occur, especially if the file is actively synced or cached improperly.
Excel application or memory error: Random character changes like “Sccantt” or “Occuidt” may indicate a memory write error or application instability.

Even if only one person is working on the file, corruption can still occur if the desktop app encounters instability or if the Office document cache is affected.

To help you recover and prevent future occurrences, we suggest the following approach:

Step 1: Restore the Last Known Good Version

Use SharePoint’s built-in version history to revert the file to a previous state:

Go to the SharePoint library where the file is stored.
Click the three dots (…) next to the file name and select Version History.
Review and restore the version prior to the unwanted changes.

Step 2: Repair the Corrupted File

Download a local copy of the corrupted file.
Open Excel (desktop app) > File > Open > Browse.
Select the file, click the arrow next to “Open,” and choose Open and Repair.
If successful, save the repaired file with a new name and re-upload it to SharePoint.

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For your reference: Repair a corrupted workbook - Microsoft Support

Step 3: Prevent Future Issues

1. Consider using Excel Online to edit large files in order to reduce sync-related risks

2. Check for conflicting add-ins by launching Excel in Safe Mode (hold Ctrl while opening). If the issue does not reoccur while in Safe Mode, a third-party add-in is likely to be the cause. You can manage your add-ins via File > Options > Add-ins.

For your reference: Add or remove add-ins in Excel - Microsoft Support

3. Clear the Office Document Cache via Excel > File > Options > Save > Cache Settings > Delete cached files.

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4. Ensure AutoSave and Versioning are enabled in SharePoint

Please let us know the outcome of the repair process or if you need assistance with any of the steps above. We're here to help ensure your data remains safe and stable.

If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".

Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.

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Demi-N 9,510 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-09-11T09:37:21.7666667+00:00

Hi FRV [NC]

Just checking in to see if you need any further assistance. I hope the information provided was useful.

If it addressed your question, please consider marking it as the accepted answer, this helps others in the community find solutions more easily. Thanks again for contributing!

And if you have any follow-up questions or new updates, feel free to let me know. I'm here to help!
Demi-N 9,510 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-09-12T10:05:17.2366667+00:00

Hi @FRV [NC]

I hope you're doing well.

This is a gentle follow-up to check if your issue has been resolved. My goal is to ensure your experience remains smooth and hassle-free. If you're still encountering any difficulties, please feel free to share the specific steps you're stuck on, I’m here to assist further.

In the meantime, I’ll continue monitoring other threads to ensure timely support across the forum. If you need direct help, just tag me in your reply and I’ll respond as soon as possible.

Looking forward to your update!

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Unexpected Data Cell Changes - Excel/SharePoint

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