Excel File Has Disappeared!
Discussion
So....a file I use (i.e. update and save) all the time, I go to open it from 'Recents' in Excel 2008 on my 2009 iMac.....
'File cannot be found'.
I've checked everywhere I can think of (including Trash) and no sign of it. Checked my backup drive (active since Sep 26th) and no sign of it there either.
File contains all my passwords so this is an utter ball ache.
Any thoughts on where it could be??
'File cannot be found'.
I've checked everywhere I can think of (including Trash) and no sign of it. Checked my backup drive (active since Sep 26th) and no sign of it there either.
File contains all my passwords so this is an utter ball ache.
Any thoughts on where it could be??
Was it stored locally on your computer? My version of Excel has a tendency to want to save stuff on to the Cloud via OneDrive, even though I never use it.
If it is a file you use regularly, do a Spotlight search for any files modified on the day you last used your missing file, and it should do a sweep of your HD for it.
If it is a file you use regularly, do a Spotlight search for any files modified on the day you last used your missing file, and it should do a sweep of your HD for it.
I had a similar issue - I ran Onyx afterward and I got the file back. It might help.
https://titanium-software.fr/en/onyx.html
https://titanium-software.fr/en/onyx.html
Apple runs Linux right, so you should be able to run Bash commands like ?
sudo find . -type f -name "spreadsheet.xlsx" - Search entire root directory down for exact filename
sudo find . -type f -name "*.xlsx" - Search entire root directory down for file extension .xlsx in case it has been renamed
sudo find . -type f -name ".*" - Search entire root directory down for hidden files in case it has been marked as hidden
If the file was moved, renamed or deleted it won't show up in the current backup, does the o/s, backup or software keep a history or version control of the file that you can revert to or recover from ?
sudo find . -type f -name "spreadsheet.xlsx" - Search entire root directory down for exact filename
sudo find . -type f -name "*.xlsx" - Search entire root directory down for file extension .xlsx in case it has been renamed
sudo find . -type f -name ".*" - Search entire root directory down for hidden files in case it has been marked as hidden
If the file was moved, renamed or deleted it won't show up in the current backup, does the o/s, backup or software keep a history or version control of the file that you can revert to or recover from ?
GR11MCR said:
Apple runs Linux right, so you should be able to run Bash commands like ?
sudo find . -type f -name "spreadsheet.xlsx" - Search entire root directory down for exact filename
sudo find . -type f -name "*.xlsx" - Search entire root directory down for file extension .xlsx in case it has been renamed
sudo find . -type f -name ".*" - Search entire root directory down for hidden files in case it has been marked as hidden
If the file was moved, renamed or deleted it won't show up in the current backup, does the o/s, backup or software keep a history or version control of the file that you can revert to or recover from ?
There's no version of the file since June 2021sudo find . -type f -name "spreadsheet.xlsx" - Search entire root directory down for exact filename
sudo find . -type f -name "*.xlsx" - Search entire root directory down for file extension .xlsx in case it has been renamed
sudo find . -type f -name ".*" - Search entire root directory down for hidden files in case it has been marked as hidden
If the file was moved, renamed or deleted it won't show up in the current backup, does the o/s, backup or software keep a history or version control of the file that you can revert to or recover from ?
GR11MCR said:
I just saw it contains all your passwords, time to start using something like keePass, LastPass or Bitwarden 
Could the file have been sync'd to another Apple device, does the recent files show you the directory of where it's trying to open the file from ?
No directory path on Recents alas, and the device won't be on another device. Also alas.Could the file have been sync'd to another Apple device, does the recent files show you the directory of where it's trying to open the file from ?
OK so download and install Onyx, then it asks for your admin/login password, then it wants to quit all apps, then it wants to do something else, then the fun begins.
Basically, you can choose to run specific jobs or you can run all maintenance scripts which sometimes don't get the chance to run in the background properly for various reasons - the maintenance tab is the one to focus on.
So you basically click on the maintenance icon top left, then I think you have to make some decisions about what you want it to ignore or rebuild, and it'll go through a load of maintenance operations, restarting the computer from time to time as it clears things out.
I would watch this guide before going ahead, it will clarify a few things and get you started. Check it from 7:50 to dive right in if preferred.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9ygQvfdA9A
Basically when I say run it, you can specify which which tasks you want it to undertake, or you can let it do its thing and do everything.
I would back up before going ahead just in case. From a personal POV I no longer back up before running, but it can be a bit daunting using this, at first.
Basically, you can choose to run specific jobs or you can run all maintenance scripts which sometimes don't get the chance to run in the background properly for various reasons - the maintenance tab is the one to focus on.
So you basically click on the maintenance icon top left, then I think you have to make some decisions about what you want it to ignore or rebuild, and it'll go through a load of maintenance operations, restarting the computer from time to time as it clears things out.
I would watch this guide before going ahead, it will clarify a few things and get you started. Check it from 7:50 to dive right in if preferred.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9ygQvfdA9A
Basically when I say run it, you can specify which which tasks you want it to undertake, or you can let it do its thing and do everything.
I would back up before going ahead just in case. From a personal POV I no longer back up before running, but it can be a bit daunting using this, at first.
Edited by ReverendCounter on Monday 10th October 17:05
GR11MCR said:
Apple runs Linux right, so you should be able to run Bash commands like ?
sudo find . -type f -name "spreadsheet.xlsx" - Search entire root directory down for exact filename
sudo find . -type f -name "*.xlsx" - Search entire root directory down for file extension .xlsx in case it has been renamed
sudo find . -type f -name ".*" - Search entire root directory down for hidden files in case it has been marked as hidden
If the file was moved, renamed or deleted it won't show up in the current backup, does the o/s, backup or software keep a history or version control of the file that you can revert to or recover from ?
It runs a variant of Unix (in the case of Apple it's based on Darwin, a Unix variant).sudo find . -type f -name "spreadsheet.xlsx" - Search entire root directory down for exact filename
sudo find . -type f -name "*.xlsx" - Search entire root directory down for file extension .xlsx in case it has been renamed
sudo find . -type f -name ".*" - Search entire root directory down for hidden files in case it has been marked as hidden
If the file was moved, renamed or deleted it won't show up in the current backup, does the o/s, backup or software keep a history or version control of the file that you can revert to or recover from ?
OP - the find commands given above are case sensitive.
Try: sudo find . -iname '*.xls*' (iname is a case insensitive search).
or
sudo find . -iname 'your_filename*.*'
I would also run these searches from root - so type 'sudo cd /' (no ticks) first.
Edited by TonyRPH on Monday 10th October 16:58
PurpleTurtle said:
Keeping passwords in a spreadsheet is a pretty bad idea generally.
Lose your laptop or get hacked, the cybercriminal has everything.
Much better to use a dedicated password manager such as 1Password
Freeware versions are available if you don't want to pay for it.
100% this. Anyone saving passwords in an Excel spreadsheet needs to give their head a wobble.Lose your laptop or get hacked, the cybercriminal has everything.
Much better to use a dedicated password manager such as 1Password
Freeware versions are available if you don't want to pay for it.
OP - hope you manage to recover the file but....please, get a decent password manager, now - it would also have saved you from this hassle you find yourself in!
A bit late now...
....but I back up all my Excel files (almost) daily to one of seven different external hard drives.
(Not just for lost data, but I've been known to enter a load of hoss & then save it
)
Also
If I do save a password to and Excel file I just use a cryptic clue to both the site & the password. (But yes, proper password managers are more sensible)
Good luck!
....but I back up all my Excel files (almost) daily to one of seven different external hard drives.
(Not just for lost data, but I've been known to enter a load of hoss & then save it
)Also
If I do save a password to and Excel file I just use a cryptic clue to both the site & the password. (But yes, proper password managers are more sensible)
Good luck!
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