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Undoing changes after saving refers to restoring a previous version of your workbook when the standard Undo command no longer reverses actions because Excel resets the undo stack after a save. Yes, you can undo changes after saving when your file uses features that preserve older versions. Excel does not restore actions through the Undo button after saving because Excel clears the history. Recovery depends on version history, AutoRecover, or backup settings.

1. Use Version History (Microsoft 365 and Excel Online)

Version History restores earlier saved versions when your workbook is stored in OneDrive or SharePoint. This method gives the most reliable recovery because Excel stores multiple timestamped versions.

How to restore a previous version

1. Open the workbook.

2. Select File in the top-left corner.

3. Select Info.

4. Select Version History.

5. Review the list of timestamps.

6. Select Open Version to preview.

7. Select Restore to replace the current version with the chosen one.

Important notes

• Windows and macOS follow the same steps.

• Only cloud-synced files show full version history.

• Local-only files do not produce automatic version logs unless AutoSave is active.

2. Use AutoRecover Files

Excel creates AutoRecover snapshots during editing. These temporary files allow rollback to autosaved states created before the last manual save.

How to open AutoRecover versions

1. Open Excel.

2. Select File → Info.

3. Look for Manage Workbook (Windows) or Manage Versions (Mac).

4. Select the autosaved file displayed with a timestamp.

5. Review the content.

6. Select Restore.

Platform differences

• Windows displays AutoRecover files under Manage Workbook.

• macOS displays them under Manage Versions.

• AutoRecover works only when the file closed unexpectedly or when AutoSave is on.

3. Use Temporary Files

Temporary files sometimes store earlier states of your workbook. Recovery is not guaranteed because Excel overwrites temp files during normal saves.

How to attempt recovery using temp files (Windows only)

1. Open File Explorer.

2. Enter the path:

   %TEMP%

3. Sort files by Date Modified.

4. Search for files beginning with ~ or files with .tmp extensions related to Excel.

5. Open them through Excel to check the content.

Mac limitation

macOS restricts direct temp-file recovery because the system stores application temp data in protected directories.

4. Use “Always Create Backup” (Manual Setting)

Excel creates a backup copy with the extension .xlk each time you save. This option prevents data loss because the backup contains the previously saved state.

How to enable backup for future protection

1. Select File → Save As.

2. Select More Options.

3. Select Tools beside the Save button.

4. Select General Options.

5. Check Always create backup.

6. Save the file.

How to restore a backup

1. Open the folder containing the workbook.

2. Locate the file Backup of [filename].xlk.

3. Open it in Excel.

4. Save a new copy.

5. Use File History or Time Machine

These operating-system features restore earlier versions of files stored in monitored folders.

Windows (File History)

1. Open the folder containing your Excel file.

2. Select the file.

3. Select Home → History.

4. Select a date.

5. Restore the version.

macOS (Time Machine)

1. Open the folder containing your workbook.

2. Open Time Machine.

3. Browse by date.

4. Restore the version.

6. What Excel does not allow

Excel does not allow:

• Undoing actions through Ctrl + Z after a file has been saved.

• Restoring a version when no backup, AutoRecover, or version history is available.

• Recovering overwritten data when the workbook was never backed up or versioned.

7. Best Practices to Prevent Future Loss

1. Turn on AutoSave when using cloud storage.

2. Enable Always Create Backup.

3. Save the workbook in OneDrive or SharePoint to use Version History.

4. Save manually under new filenames when making major changes.

5. Keep File History or Time Machine active on the system.

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