Recover Previous Version of Excel File SharePoint - 5 Ways to Fix It

This post introduces how to recover previous version of Excel file SharePoint. We offer you comprehensive solutions in two different cases: how to recover saved or deleted previous version of SharePoint file. Select the method based on your situation.

By Ivy    Updated on June 30, 2026

You've been working on an Excel file for hours - fine‑tuning numbers, updating formulas, making everything perfect. Then you save it, close it, and realize later that something went wrong. Important data is missing. You don't know when it happened or how, but you're sure it wasn't like that before.

 

Hi. How to recover previous version of Excel file SharePoint? I wish to restore the file to a prior saved date since it appears that the file was saved incorrectly and a lot of information was accidentally erased. Thanks.”

- Question from SharePoint Forum

And now the question hits you:Can I restore an earlier version?

The answer is yes, and it's simpler than you might think.

In this guide, we'll walk you through exactly how to recover a previous version of an Excel file in SharePoint. Whether you accidentally overwrote the file or someone else made unwanted changes, SharePoint keeps a version history that can save you.

Let's get your data back. 

Case 1. Restore deleted previous version of SharePoint file [2 ways]

The following ways are available when you want to recover deleted previous SharePoint file.

🌠Way 1. Restore deleted previous version from SharePoint Recycle Bin

SharePoint offers a Recycle bin to restore recently deleted files. Whenever you can’t find your file in its original location, check Recycle bin first.

Step 1. Go to the SharePoint site where you restored the files.

Step 2. Click Recycle bin from the bottom left of the screen.

Step 3. You'll see a list of deleted files. Check the target files you want to recover and click Restore to recover the files.

If your files are not in Recycle bin, check the next method.

🌠Way 2. Restore deleted previous version using data recovery tool

If your file isn't in the SharePoint Recycle Bin, it may feel like it's gone forever. But that's not always the case. In many situations, permanent deletion doesn't mean permanent loss.

This is where a professional recovery tool like AOMEI FastRecovery can help. It's designed to recover files from a wide range of data loss scenarios, including permanet deletion, formatting, system crashes, and more.

AOMEI FastRecovery
Free Data Recovery Software for Windows
  • Dual-scan modes: Integrate Quick Scan and Deep Scan to scan hard drive for deleted files, ensuring a high success rate.
  • 1000+ data types: Recover deleted or lost documents (TXT, DOC, XLSX, CSV), images (JPG, PNG, TIF, HEIC, GIF), videos (MP4, MOV, AVI, ASF, WMV), and more.
  • Find your files fast: Browse by type or path, and sort, search, filter, and preview deleted files, especially useful for recovering specific files.
  • Versatile: Works seamlessly with healthy, corrupted, formatted, or infected SanDisk SD cards, as well as HDD/SSD/USB flash drives, etc.
  • Free to try: The free edition can recover data up to 500MB – no commitment required.
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Download it now and let’s start the recovery!

Step 1. Install and open AOMEI FastRecovery. Then, click Deleted Files Recovery, specifically designed for quick recovery.

Step 2. Hover the mouse over the drive saved deleted files before, and click Scan.

Step 3. It will automatically start a quick scanning process. Wait, and in the scanning result window, check Documents and Excel under the Type section. Once confirmed, click Recover to get all Excel files back quickly

You can also expand to check Deleted Files, Recycle Bin, or Existing Files for specific files. To find files quickly, combine the following options:

  • Sort files by name, date modified, type, etc., using the column headers. 

  • For faster searching, type the file name or extension (e.g., .xlxs) in the search box.

  • Or click the funnel-shaped button to narrow your search by type or size, especially useful for large deleted files.

Case 2. Restore saved previous version of SharePoint file [3 ways]

This part will present how to recover previous version of SharePoint file that has not been deleted.

🌠Way 1. Recover previous version from SharePoint document library

You can directly recover previous file versions from SharePoint Version history if you enabled this feature before.

Step 1. Open the list or library where you stored the file from the Quick Launch bar.

Step 2. Right-click the blank space between the file name and date, and click Version history to see all the versions of Excel files.

Step 3. Hover to the version you want to recover and click the down arrow > Restore. Click OK when you see the pop-up window.

🌠Way 2. Recover previous version with OneDrive sync

The other way to view a previous version in SharePoint without restoring is via OneDrive sync. If you configured OneDrive Sync before, follow the next steps to recover the previous version from the synchronized files.

Step 1. Click the OneDrive icon from the taskbar, and then click Open folder.

Step 2. Click SharePoint Maven in the left panel, navigate to your file, right-click it, and select Version history.

Step 3. Then you can see the previous versions, select the version you want to recover, and click Restore.

🌠Way 3. Recover previous version via Office application

You can also open the document and check its previous version from the Office application itself.

Step 1. Click File from the taskbar.

Step 2. Click Info, and then you can check and recover the previous file versions.

Conclusion

That’s all about how to recover previous version of Excel file SharePoint. You can recover any previous Office document versions with the methods above. If you want to retrieve deleted previous versions or other types of files, FastRecovery could be the best choice for you.

Ivy · Editor
Ivy, our dedicated editor at AOMEI Technology, is committed to providing valuable insights and guidance in data protection. Her mission is to empower everyone with her knowledge of computer backup and recovery, disk cloning, file synchronization, and more. Ivy's goal is to do her best to ensure your digital world remains safe and secure.