“Is it possible for me to recover accidentally deleted files from Google sheets? If yes, how do I go about it?”
Google Sheets is a work tool where valuable data is created, edited, and shared with relevant stakeholders. At times, the information saved on Google Sheets can be so important that losing them could carry severe consequences. To avoid this, we have written this article to help you learn how to recover deleted Google Sheets.
Can I Retrieve Deleted Google Sheets
Yes, it is possible to retrieve deleted Google sheets. It can be done by using tools designated by Google’s version history, Google Drive Trash, or professional file recovery software. Whether your Google sheets disappeared accidentally or you intentionally deleted them, there are several proven ways to get them back even if the 30-day limit of staying in Google trash has been exceeded. Let’s dive in!
How to Retrieve Permanently Deleted Google Sheets after 30 Days
Here are simple and reliable solutions on how to recover a Google sheet. Explore each of them to pick the most ideal one for your situation.
Recover Deleted Google Worksheets through the Google Drive Trash
Whenever you accidentally delete any of your worksheets, the first place you should check is the Google Drive Trash. This is an in-house tool created by Google to accommodate all deleted data from your workspace. However, worksheets can only spend a maximum of 30 days there, after which they will be erased permanently.
👉On how to undo in Google sheets from Google Drive trash, follow these steps:
- Open Google Drive and sign into your Google account.
- Click on the panel at the top left corner and select Trash.
- Locate the deleted Worksheet, right-click it and tap Restore.
Using the Version History Feature of Google Sheets
Version History is a feature used to record all changes made by authorized users of a particular Google worksheet. If the worksheet is connected across your devices, when you make an edit from one device, the changes will reflect on other devices.
Before you can view Version History, your worksheets must have had multiple changes. There are basically two ways you can access a worksheet using Version History. The first method is to select the Last edit was icon at the top right corner of the Google sheet home page. The other method is explained below:
- Select File at the upper section of the worksheet, then click on Version history.
- A pop-up menu will ask you to Name current version or See version history, select See version history.
- After that, your worksheets will be displayed. Select the one you wish to recover and click on the triangle icon to view all changes made.
- After selecting, click on the triple dots at the right and choose Restore this version.
❗Note: Version History is only displayed to the owner of the worksheet and other users that have been made editors. A user with permission to view can only see the current version.
Recover a Google Sheet by Third-party File Recovery Software
If the deleted worksheets are no longer in Trash and Version History didn’t help, find a professional third-party recovery software like ONERECOVERY. It’s fast and very efficient for situations that seem impossible. As long as you’ve once stored the Google Sheets on your computer, this software will find and recover them.
ONERECOVERY is an AI-powered tool with dual scan modes: Quick scan and Deep scan, which involves digging into your storage device to locate, preview, and restore each version of your Google Sheets.
👉Here is how to recover deleted Google Sheets after 30 days:
- Download, install, and open ONERECOVERY on your PC.
- Connect the external drive.
- Click the external storage device. The software automatically scans it for lost Google sheets.
- Preview the displayed sheets for the ones you want to restore.
- Select the worksheet you want to retrieve and click Recover.
From Google Drive Help to Retrieve Permanently Deleted Google Sheets
Google Drive Help was created to provide solutions to problems encountered within Google workspace, such as file deletion, poor version control, migration issues, etc. If your worksheet gets deleted permanently and you no longer have access to its previous versions, Google Drive Help is your next call.
👉On how to retrieve permanently deleted google sheets on PC, Follow these steps:
- Go to drive.google.com/drive/trash.
- You will see all deleted Worksheets in Trash.
- Select whichever you want to recover and click Restore.
👉For how to recover deleted google sheets on Android, follow these steps.
- Open the Google Drive app.
- Select the menu icon and click on Trash.
- Click on the triple dots next to the Worksheet you want to recover.
- Choose Restore.
👉Do this for iPhone/iPad:
- Open your Google Drive app.
- Tap on Files located at the bottom right of your screen.
- Click My Drive at the upper left corner.
- Browse, preview and click on Restore to get worksheets back.
Using Google Vault to Recover a Google Sheet
Google Vault is an eDiscovery tool that holds, retains, searches, and exports all deleted worksheets back to your device. This tool allows you to set a specific timeframe you want your worksheets to be recoverable. During this timeframe, whether or not the worksheet gets deleted from the Trash Bin, you can always recover it using Google Vault.
In order to utilize this tool, you must have Google workspace and Vault licenses i.e. Frontline Standard, Business Plus, G Suite Business, etc. These licenses help an organization create a central control where all connected users worksheet data can be easily accessed, audited, and exported for further analysis.
👉Do this to recover deleted google sheets from Google Vault:
- Sign into your Google account on vault.google.com
- Select Matters and click on Sales Drive Retention.
- Click on the Search icon and search for Drive.
- Search for the deleted Worksheet and download.
Conclusion
Recovering deleted Google sheets can be done by anyone, especially when the file is still in Trash. All you need to do is open your Trash Bin on Google Drive and retrieve it. And when you can no longer find it there, your best shot at recovery is Google in-house tools or sophisticated recovery software like ONERECOVERY.
FAQs About Recovering Deleted Google Sheets
These are additional solutions to issues related to recovering deleted Google documents:
- How to recover a deleted google doc?
There are several methods to retrieve deleted Google docs. They include Google Drive Backup, Google Vault, File History, Time Machine, Third-party Recovery software etc.
👉Here is how to get it done using Google Drive Backup:
- Go to Control Panel and select System and Security.
- Click on Restore your files with File History.
- Right-click on Restore Personal Files.
- Choose Restore and your file will be back to its previous location.
- How to find missing Google Sheets?
Sometimes, finding missing Google sheets can be tasky, especially when you have to navigate through a bunch of worksheets. The best and easiest way to find missing Google sheets is with the use of the Advanced Search option. This feature allows you to modify your search in terms of: file type, time frame, deleted item, starred item and more.
👉Here is how to locate this feature:
- Go to drive.google.com.
- Locate your search bar.
- Click on the icon at the far right to use the Advanced search features.
- Why files may get lost from the folder?
There are several reasons why Google docs files may get missing. In most cases, this happens as a result of error or neglect from users.
👉Here are a few:
- Disconnecting an account from your phone/PC. When this happens, all files created online will no longer appear on your device.
- Clearing Google Drive’s data from your device.
- Failure to update the Google Drive app. Lower versions may have compatibility issues with certain documents.
