AutoRecover, a feature that is available in some Office applications, attempts to recover files automatically in the event of an application or system crash. It does this by periodically saving a copy of the file in the background. By default, AutoRecover saves a recovery file every 10 minutes.
Important: Do not use AutoRecover as a substitute for regularly saving your files by using AutoSave (see below) or by clicking Save
In some cases, you can set how frequently these AutoRecover files are saved. For example, if you set AutoRecover to save every 5 minutes, you may recover more information in the event of unexpected shutdown — such as from a power outage — than if it's set to save every 10 or 15 minutes.
If you manually save your file, the previous AutoRecover files are removed because you've just saved your changes.
AutoSave is a different feature which automatically saves your file as you work - just like if you save the file manually - so that you don't have to worry about saving on the go. On the Mac, AutoSave is available in Excel, Word, and PowerPoint for Microsoft 365 for Mac subscribers. When AutoSave is turned on AutoRecover files are rarely needed.
For more information see: What is AutoSave?
Recover a file saved by AutoRecover
Normally, the application will automatically recover your work the next time that you open the app following a power failure or other unexpected shutdown by detecting that an AutoRecover file exists and automatically opening it. If you want to keep the recovered file, you should immediately save it before closing or editing it.
If you want to find any AutoRecovered files on your computer, switch to Finder,then click Go > Go To Folder (or press SHIFT + COMMAND + G) and enter the appropriate folder path from the table below. Replace <username> with your username:
|
Excel |
/Users/<username>/Library/Containers/com.microsoft.Excel/Data/Library/Application Support/Microsoft |
|
PowerPoint |
/Users/<username>/Library/Containers/com.Microsoft.Powerpoint/Data/Library/Preferences/AutoRecovery |
|
Word |
/Users/<username>/Library/Containers/com.Microsoft/Data/Library/Preferences/AutoRecovery |
Notes:
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The AutoRecovery folder is a hidden folder, so you probably won't see it if you just try to navigate to it in Finder. Use the Go To Folder tool and enter the full path to get around this.
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If you close a file and click Don't Save, the AutoRecover file will be deleted because Office assumes that everything is ok and the AutoRecover file isn't needed.
Change how frequently AutoRecover files are automatically saved in Word or PowerPoint
Note: In Excel, beginning with version 16.38, you can't set the AutoRecover save interval. Excel automatically optimizes the interval to give the best chance of recovering files without saving so often that it interferes with your work.
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On the Word or PowerPoint menu, click Preferences.
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Click Save
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In the Save AutoRecover info box, enter how frequently you want the program to save documents.
Change where to save AutoRecover files in Word
Note: The AutoRecover file location can't be changed in Excel or PowerPoint. For those applications AutoRecover files are stored in the folders we listed above.
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On the Word menu, click Preferences.
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Under Personal Settings, click File Locations
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Under File locations, click AutoRecover files, and then click Modify.
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Find the location where you want to automatically save files, and then click Open.
Recover text from a damaged file in Word
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On the Word menu, click Preferences.
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Under Authoring and Proofing Tools, click General
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Make sure that the Confirm file format conversion at Open check box is selected, and then close the General dialog box.
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Click File, Open.
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On the Open menu towards the bottom right select Recover Text.
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Open the document.
