Recover Deleted XLSM Workbooks on Windows

Updated on Oct 28, 2026 | by Qiling

Quick Navigation:

Identify the Missing File
Check Copies and Protect the Drive
Recover with Qiling Deep Data Recovery
Verify Before Reuse
Frequently Asked Questions

An XLSM workbook may contain formulas, tables, data connections, and VBA. Check Excel's available recovery copies, OneDrive or SharePoint versions, and backups before trying a deleted-file scan.

Identify the Missing Excel macro-enabled workbook (.xlsm)

Confirm the original filename, folder, and storage device. Search for a moved or renamed copy before assuming deletion. If the file still exists but will not open, make a copy and investigate file damage; an undelete scan is not a repair tool.

Avoid recalculating or refreshing a recovered workbook before making a copy. Refresh may change data connections or overwrite stored values.

Check Copies and Protect the Drive

Check the Recycle Bin, File History, cloud version history, application backups, and any other device that held the file. If it was cloud-only, use the service's own recovery tools first; a local disk scan cannot search a remote account.

Stop saving to the affected physical drive. New data can overwrite deleted blocks, and SSD TRIM can reduce recovery chances. Set aside a different physical disk for results. If the original device disconnects, makes unusual noises, or reports hardware faults, avoid repeated scans and consider specialist help.

Recover with Qiling Deep Data Recovery

Qiling Deep Data Recovery scans Windows-visible local storage for deleted files. It cannot recreate a file that was never saved, replace missing companion data, or guarantee success after overwriting. Use it only after checking the copies above.

Free Download
Windows 11/10/8/7, 100% Secure

Step 1. Choose the Scan Mode

Open the program. Choose Fast Scan for a recent local deletion, Recycle Bin Scan if the file was emptied from the bin, USB/SD Scan for removable media, or Format Scan if the source was formatted. Match the mode to the event, not just the file extension.

Choose a Qiling scan mode to recover Excel macro-enabled workbook (.xlsm)

Step 2. Select the Original Location

Select the disk or partition that held the missing Excel macro-enabled workbook (.xlsm). Check its drive letter and capacity so you do not scan an unrelated disk. Keep the destination drive separate.

Select the source drive for Excel macro-enabled workbook (.xlsm) recovery

Step 3. Review Candidate Files

When the scan completes, search by original filename and extension if available. Compare folder, date, size, and nearby related files. Keep several plausible versions; a matching name or preview does not establish that the entire file survived. If the first pass finds nothing and the disk is healthy, try the deeper scan option.

Review found Excel macro-enabled workbook (.xlsm) candidates

Step 4. Save to Another Physical Drive

Select the candidates, click Recover, and save them to the prepared drive. Do not write them back to the source or overwrite a working backup. Test copies rather than the only recovered originals.

Save recovered Excel macro-enabled workbook (.xlsm) to another disk

Verify Before Reuse

Open a duplicate with macros disabled, then inspect worksheets, formulas, named ranges, and VBA separately. Compare with a known export or prior version.

If one copy is incomplete, compare older backups, exports, and other candidates. Renaming an extension does not reconstruct missing bytes. Once a result is confirmed, back up the file together with any required linked assets or companion files.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does an XLSX copy include the macros?

No. XLSX does not retain VBA code.

Why does my workbook open with changed values?

External links or recalculation may have updated values; compare a protected copy.

Where should I save recovered files?

Use a different physical drive so the recovery output cannot overwrite other deleted data on the source.