Updated 02 June. 2023

Recover your deleted XLSX files easily on macOS and Windows

XLSX recovery

Best 5 data recovery software for XLSX, Microsoft Excel Open XML Spreadsheet

Disk Drill
Free version, Pro version $89
Free recovery: Free recovery - 500 MB for Windows
Download
rateDisk Drill
666762
Ontrack
Free, Home $79.00, Professional $139, Premium $159, Technician $499
Free recovery: Free recovery - 1GB
Download
rateOntrack
102486
MagicCute
$39.95
Free recovery: Free scan & preview
Download
rateMagicCute
11
Yodot
$39.95
Free recovery: Free scan & preview
Download
rateYodot
74149
UFS Explorer Standard Recovery
Personal License €129.95, Commercial License €129.95, Corporate License €399.95
Free recovery: Free scan & preview
Download
rateUFS Explorer Standard Recovery
3974

Summary review

windows icon Our Windows version Windows 10
time icon How long we tested 1 week
exam icon Number of tested tools 16

3 essential factors to consider when choosing XLSX recovery software

Storage media compatibility

There’s no telling when data loss can strike and you may end up having to recover files from any kind of storage medium, such as SD cards, SSDs, hard drives, RAID setups, and more. It’s important that your chosen data recovery software is fully compatible with the ones you use.

Look out for extra features

While a data recovery program’s retrieval capabilities are certainly its most important aspect, the extra features it brings to the table certainly add a lot of value. For example, some apps come with a drive backup feature while others allow the repair of compromised/damaged files, both of which can come in very handy.

Price tag

While there are a few genuinely free data recovery programs out there and some with a decent trial version, they’re often either overly complex, ineffective, or have recovery limits. So if you’re willing to invest, you should find a program that fits your price range. Also, consider whether you’d prefer a program with subscriptions or a one-time payment.

Simple steps to recover deleted XLSX, Microsoft Excel Open XML Spreadsheet on Windows & Mac

Step 1:

With a Windows or Mac machine, download and install the software

Step 2:

Start the program and select the disk to be scanned

Step 3:

Hit Recover to initiate the scanning algorithms

Step 4:

Preview the recoverable files and hit Recover again after selcting those to be restored

Top 3 tips to prevent XLSX files loss

1 Tip

Keep work and leisure separate. It’s always a good idea to have a separate computer/laptop for work and general use. If you keep installing and uninstalling programs on a machine, it will hasten the rate at which the operating system might break down. And when it finally does become unstable, you could lose some important data in the process.

2 Tip

Do not mess with unfamiliar files. Operating systems include lots of important files that may not seem familiar to you. These files could be vital to running the platform and tweaking or deleting them could lead to the OS becoming unstable and may cause you to incur data loss. That’s why it’s best to leave unfamiliar system files alone.

3 Tip

Invest in a surge protector. A major power surge can do heavy damage to your computer. A strong enough one could fry the components in your computer, taking all of your important files along with it. So if you live in an area with unpredictable electric currents, spending some money on a surge protector can be a lifesaver.

FAQ

A quality data recovery program should allow for the retrieval of a wide range of different file types, whether they’re documents, images, audio clips, and others. Disk Drill is an excellent option that is capable of recovering XLSX extension and you can easily filter out the results by typing the extension into the search bar at the results screen.

For XLSX files that were accidentally deleted using the Delete key or right-click > Delete command, they should be available for restoration from the Windows Recycle Bin tool. Other forms of data loss may be recovered using the File History feature, provided it was enabled beforehand. Otherwise, you’ll need a quality data recovery program.

Data recovery software often saves recovered files in a specified directory which you can then access through Windows File Explorer. Disk Drill, for example, is one of the best data recovery programs around and includes a button at the end of the retrieval process that will open the folder where your recovered XLSX files are located.