Can't find AutoRecover file in path specified in Options dialog.

[Paul Ponzelli]

I had a file open in Excel 2002 in which I made some changes, and then
mistakenly closed without saving. But after making those changes, and
before closing, it had remained open for over an hour.

I'd like to recover those changes, and the path specified in the
"AutoRecover save location:" text box in the Options - Save dialog tab is:

C:\Documents and Settings\MyUserName\Application Data\Microsoft\Excel\

However, I couldn't find a *.xls file in that directory. (The only thing in
that folder is a file named Excel10.xlb and another folder named XLSTART).

I don't understand why I can't find a backup file in that folder, because
the "Save AutoRecover info every X minutes:" settings are enabled (checked),
and set for every 10 minutes.

According to Excel Help for AutoSave, the file should be saved every 10
minutes in that directory. The "Disable AutoRecover" check box on that same
tab is disabled (unchecked), so it would seem the feature should work.

Is there any reason why the AutoSave feature would not be working as
described in Excel Help, and whether there is another location where it
might have saved the backup file?

Thanks in advance,

Paul

 

[Dave Peterson]

Autorecover deletes the temporary file if excel closes normally (or when you
close that workbook normally).

Autorecover is made to help you out if excel crashes (or windows crashes).

For the future...

You may want to consider using Jan Karel Pieterse's addin called AutoSafe (note
spelling).

It doesn't overwrite the existing workbook when it saves. It saves to a user
selectable folder. And when it's done, it either deletes these backups (or puts
them in the recycle bin). And the user can always restore the backups from the
recycle bin.

http://www.jkp-ads.com/Download.htm
(look for AutoSafe.zip, not autosafeVBE.zip, for your purposes.)

Jan Karel's version will know if there was a crash and prompt you to open the
last version it saved.

 

[Paul Ponzelli]

Thanks for the info, Dave.

In my case, Excel did close normally. It was a case where I mistakenly
clicked "No" when it asked me if I wanted to save the file. I guess that's
one case that's not covered by AutoSave.

 

[Dave Peterson]

Autorecover? Nope.

If you still have AutoSave from a previous version (xl2k or earlier), it'll
still work in xl2002 and xl2003.

Gord Dibben posted this:

Autosave.xla from Office 2000 or 97 will work with Excel 2002 or 2003.
If you have a previous copy, move it to your Office\Library.
To download the 97 version see here........
http://www.stat.jmu.edu/trep/Marchat/sp2001/Library.htm

Not the same as autorecover, but might be what you really want????

 

[Gord Dibben]

Paul

For those who migrate to Excel 2002 and 2003 it comes as a shock to learn that
there is no incremental "Autosave" as there was in earlier versions.

As Dave points out, the "Autorecover" only kicks in if Excel crashes while you
have a workbook open and working on it.

It does not make the incremental saves and is deleted if the workbook is
closed normally. If changes were not saved when closing, the work done is
gone.

Download JK's Autosafe or the Autosave.xla Dave has provided a URL for if you
wish to make true incremental saves while working on a file.


Gord Dibben Excel MVP