How to Recover Lost Data in CSV Files?

What is a CSV file?

A CSV (comma-separated values) file is a type of text file that uses a specific format to save data in a table-structure format.

CVS files are often used when data must be compatible with a wide range of programs. CVS files can be opened in text editors, spreadsheet programs such as Excel, and other specialized software.

How to recover CVS files in Windows?

As you can see, this type of form is critical for this user group. But if you’ve suffered data loss in CSV files, what can do you to recover CSV files? If you need, please scroll down to find feasible solutions.

Solution 1. Recover CVS files from TMP files

How to recover lost data in CSV files? Perhaps you can use the AutoRecover feature released by MS Office to fix this issue. Because this built-in feature saves all Excel files being edited as temp files to a specified folder saved in the local disk C drive.

Step 1. Please go to the following paths to locate your desired Excel temp files.

• For Windows 7: C:\Users\UserName\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Excel
• For Windows 8 and later: C:\Users\UserName\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Office\Unsaved Files

Step 2. Select your desired Excel temp files and save them to another location. For the sake of safety, you’d better change their extensions.

Solution 2. Recover CVS files from File History

If you haven’t enabled the AutoRecover feature before, how to recover lost data in CSV files? Regular backups also provide another possibility for you to recover CVS files.

Let’s take File History as an example. Because this free Windows feature enables users to recover deleted, lost, or damaged original files if they’ve opened System and Security to activate File History. It also can help you recover overwritten Excel files.   

Notes:✎...

Win7 users cannot use File History because it made its debut in Windows 8.0 OS.

File History is designed to back up files in Pictures, Music, Videos, Desktop folders, Documents files, and offline OneDrive files saved on your PC.

Step 1. Open “Control Panel” by entering it in the search bar. Then click the “System and Security” button.

Step 2. After clicking File History, select the “Restore your files with File History” option.

Step 3. Click the “Restore personal files” button.

Step 4. Select your needed CVS file and click “Restore” to get it to its original location.

If you want to change its saved path, right-click on “Restore” and select the “Restore to” option.

Solution 3. Recover lost CVS/Excel files via data recovery software

Although regular backups are the best hedge against data loss, most users never put this data loss prevention measure into practice.

So how to recover lost Excel files without backups? The answer is utilizing professional data recovery software because only utilities can transform necessary backups into alternatives.

Maybe MyRecover is right for you. Please get an overview of it.   

Powerful features: Recover deleted & lost MS Office files, folders, compressed files, photos, videos, audio, and hundreds of file types from HDD, USB, SD cards, etc.

Easy-to-find: During Quick Scan and Deep Scan, you can search your desired folders by Path, Filename, Date, etc.

Convenient: Retain the original Path, Filename, and Format for the deleted files.  

Excellent compatibility: Support NTFS, FAT32, exFAT, and ReFS file systems.

Download MyRecover on your Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, or Windows computer to recover missing Excel files!

Step 1. After launching MyRecover, hover the mouse over the partition that stores your desired Excel files. Then click the Scan.

Step 2. You can quickly locate your desired Excel files by Name, Path, Date, or Type. You can also wait to view all the deleted & lost files after the scanning process.

Step 3. Go to the Deleted Files/Recycle Bin/Other Missing Files folder and select the files you want. Then click “Recover x files” and store these Excel files in a new path.

Bonus tips: How to recover Excel file not saved?

Can you imagine? If you accidentally closed Excel files without saving them, what can you do to recover unsaved Excel files? If it happens to be your case, you can make good use of the AutoRecover feature. Please refer to the following steps.

Step 1. Open your Microsoft Excel program and click the “File” button.

Step 2. Click “Info” on the left, then select “Recover Unsaved Workbooks” under the Manage Workbook.

Step 3. The window will display all the unsaved Excel files. Please choose the one you want and click the “Open” button.

After that, you’re supposed to click File > Save as to save these changes.

Wrapping up

Are you wondering how to recover lost data in CSV files? Or how to recover unsaved Excel files? Perhaps you can find corresponding solutions from the above content. If you need to recover corrupted Excel files, you can use the Open and Repair feature.

More importantly, it’s time for you to back up files, folders, partitions, disks, or systems via Windows features or free backup software for Windows, AOMEI Backupper.