Recover an earlier version of an Office file

If the AutoRecover option is turned on, you can automatically save versions of your file while you're working on it. How you recover something depends on when you saved it.

If you've saved the file

1. Open the file you were working on.

2. Click File > Info.

3. Under Manage Documents, click the file labeled (when I closed without saving).

   

   Note: This example is from Word. Look for Manage Workbook in Excel or Manage Presentation in PowerPoint.

4. In the bar at the top of the file, click Restore to overwrite any previously saved versions.

   

   Tip:  In Word, you can also compare versions by clicking Compare instead of Restore.

If you haven't saved the file

1. Click File > Info > Manage Document > Recover Unsaved Documents in Word, Recover Unsaved Workbooks in Excel, or Recover Unsaved Presentations in PowerPoint.

   

2. Select the file, and then click Open.

   

3. In the bar at the top of the file, click Save As to save the file.