Files in Word Excel

Question

I am missing files that I know I saved in Microsoft Excel and they are no where to be found. I use a mac and my files will not how up or even open

Answer 1

Hi, Pamila Hunt

This usually means the files were saved in a different location, such as OneDrive, iCloud Drive, or another Mac folder. The Recent list is only a shortcut, so a file may still exist even if it no longer appears there.

Besides the solutions provided by the Q&A Assist, here are some suggestions you can try: 

In Finder, press Command + Space, then search for the file name. You can also search for .xlsx, .xls, or .docx to find files when you do not remember their names. Spotlight can search documents stored on the Mac.

Sign in to OneDrive online using the same Microsoft account used in Excel, then check My files and Recycle bin.

In Excel or Word, select File > Open > On My Mac rather than opening the file from Recent.

If Excel or the Mac previously crashed, try the Office for Mac file recovery steps.

If a file is found but will not open, please share the exact error message.

Thank you for your patience in reading, I hope this information has been helpful to you. 

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Answer 2

On Mac, the most likely causes are broken recent-file links, AutoRecover files in a hidden folder, or OneDrive path changes.

1. Try opening the files from Finder instead of File > Open > Recent in Excel or Word. Recent entries can point to the old location and fail even when the file still exists.
2. In Finder, search for the file name or search for *.xlsx, *.xls, *.docx, or *.doc.
3. If the files were in OneDrive on macOS 12.1 or later, check the new OneDrive location: Library > Cloud Storage > OneDrive If AutoSave stopped working after the path moved, open the file and use File > Save As to save it into the new OneDrive folder.
4. Check AutoRecover files in Finder using Go > Go to Folder or Shift+Command+G:
   • Excel: /Users/<username>/Library/Containers/com.microsoft.Excel/Data/Library/Application Support/Microsoft
   • Word: /Users/<username>/Library/Containers/com.Microsoft/Data/Library/Preferences/AutoRecovery
   • PowerPoint: /Users/<username>/Library/Containers/com.Microsoft.Powerpoint/Data/Library/Preferences/AutoRecovery These folders are hidden, so the full path must be entered.
5. Reopen Excel or Word after an unexpected shutdown. Office may automatically detect an AutoRecover file and open it. If it does, save it immediately before closing or editing.
6. If a file appears but will not open, check whether the file name contains invalid characters such as <, >, /, \, :, or |. Rename the file and try again.
7. If the problem is only with Word and the document may be damaged, try Word > Preferences > General, enable Confirm file format conversion at Open, then use File > Open and choose Recover Text.

Important details:

• If Don't Save was selected when closing a file, the AutoRecover file is deleted.
• If the file was manually saved, older AutoRecover copies are removed.
• AutoRecover is not a substitute for normal saving.

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