How to retrieve an Excel file crashed due to System Shut down

Update 2025: If you are looking for the best hardware to handle this kind of analysis, check out my new guide on the Top 5 Tools Every Data Analyst Needs

 If you are in a situation where your computer suddenly switched off and the Excel file you were working on got closed without saving.

Now for the below method to work your need to have "Auto Save" feature turned on in Microsoft Excel 

To check if Auto Save is turned on follow the below path in your Excel

File-->Options-->Save, now on the right hand side tick the "Save AutoRecover information every X minutes and also tick the "Keep the last autosaved version if I close without saving" option.

Now whenever you excel crashes, the most recent version which was autosaved despite you not saving it will be available when you open a blank excel workbook.

If you want see other versions of the crashed workbooks which are not saved. follow below path.

File-->Open-->Scroll till bottom and click on "Recover Unsaved Workbooks"

 

What are the limits if the row header and column header in Excel sheet?

 With Microsoft Excel 2016 the total rows an Excel worksheet can have is 1048576 rows. In terms of columns, you can have 16384 columns.

Well, that's a huge number of rows and columns to play with but, remember, if you fill each cell in these rows and columns the performance of the workbook will not be optimal. Yes Microsoft has provided avenue for entering data but to processing should also be supported by a good chip and board.

Probably, you can go for the cloud version of Microsoft Office (365) which should perform with a good internet connection.

In which tab hyperlink option is available in Microsoft Excel?

 Hyperlink in excel.

Text in a cell can be hyperlinked to either a webpage or to a place in the same document or email. Hyperlink option is found under the "Insert" tab in the ribbon at the top.

Once you select the desired cell and click on the hyperlink it would present with the following window.

Here you can customize the link based on your needs.

How is Data "Analysis" different from plain reporting : AKA Synopsis writing

When we send out reports. We are more often than not in “URGENT” mode. Unless or until mentioned we never send any insights to the person who requested the report/analysis. It may be a very “SMALL” step to write your “UNDERTANDINGS” as synopsis, but doing it consistently has three benefits.

1. You will know what is the report saying and hence understand the business
2. You are virtually doing a self QC.
3. You are creating a “BRAND” for yourself with some important insights/actions that you share.
4. When writing synopsis, you be bold. You are NOT writing it to please the other person. Clearly mention what you speak in mind.

Now the big Question you guys have is. We are looking at this data from long time. What new can I see now. That’s when you come out your report and try to co-relate other aspects of business. 

Remember writing synopsis will improve your Professional value, IMPROVE your personal accuracy and self-satisfaction. Trust me when I say this. It’s a very intensive activity but it is one of the best teachers you can get.

Is there a free database solution?

 Yes. Oracle Database XE is free for fall and supports a database of 12GB. Its is easy to install and hassle free experience.

Oracle Database XE can be download from: https://www.oracle.com/in/database/technologies/appdev/xe.html

During setup you are required to enter few admin passwords. Ensure you remember them. These are required to interact with the database at a later point of time. 

Now once you have installed the Oracle XE database how to query data or load data?

For this you need a front end application. In this case you can use Oracle SQL developer which can be download from this link depending the you machine's architecture: https://www.oracle.com/tools/downloads/sqldev-downloads.html

Once you have installed SQL developer. Add a connection using the top left green plus button. Below screen will appear. Name the connection as you require. in the ROLE adjacent to username box choose SYSDBA.

Enter Username as "SYS" and the password you have configured during setup of XE. Hostname, port and SID should be entered as per below and you should be connected to your XE database