15 Best Excel File Recovery Tools (2024)

1. Introduction

1.1 Importance of MS Excel file recovery

In an age where data manipulation and statistical analysis have become integral facets of business and research environments, the use of Microsoft Excel is more significant than ever. With a diverse range of features such as pivot tables, graphing tools, and macro programming language, it is a key component in data analysis and decision making.

However, like any digital files, Excel files are vulnerable to damage or corruption. This could be due to application crashes, virus attacks, hardware failure, or inadvertent operations like accidental deletion or unplanned formatting. Unfortunately, such corruption can lead to the loss of vital data and end up costing companies significant time and resources.

MS Excel File Recovery comes to the rescue in these situations. It is a process that helps recover lost or damaged Excel files and restore them to their original state. Hence, understanding and leveraging effective Excel recovery tools is critical to safeguard your important data and maintain continuity in decision making and operations.

1.2 Objectives of this Comparison

The objective of this comparison is to provide a comprehensive review of several popular MS Excel file recovery tools available in the market. This analysis and subsequent comparison aim not only to highlight the pros and cons of each tool but also to guide users in choosing the ideal recovery tool based on their distinct requirements.

This comparison evaluates each tool’s functionality, ease of use, recovery success rate, support and pricing, amongst other factors. The ultimate goal is to empower you, the reader, with the knowledge to make an informed decision when faced with the need for an MS Excel file recovery tool.

2. DataNumen Excel Repair

DataNumen Excel Repair is an advanced tool that is specifically designed to repair corrupted and damaged Excel xlsx & xls files. It uses proprietary technologies to scan the damaged or corrupt Excel spreadsheets and recover as much data as possible. The high precision and recovery rate make it a popular choice amongst users.

2.1 Pros

• High recovery rate: DataNumen Excel Repair touts the highest recovery rate compared to most tools in the market
• Batch Recovery: It supports simultaneous recovery of multiple Excel files, thereby saving valuable time
• Versatility: It can recover all types of corrupted Excel files and supports both xls and xlsx formats
• Data Safety: While repairing, it does not alter, modify, or overwrite your original data, thereby ensuring data safety

2.2 Cons

• Pricing: Premium version of the software is relatively expensive compared to other tools
• Interface: The user interface could be more intuitive and user-friendly
• Compatibility: Limited compatibility with older versions of Excel

Free download

3. Kernel for Excel

Kernel for Excel Repair Software is a professional tool that repairs corrupt Excel files effortlessly and recovers all Excel worksheet data including images, tables, charts, etc. Its dual repair mode (Single and Multi-file mode) and user-friendly interface make it efficient and easy to use for all types of users.

3.1 Pros

• Dual Repair Mode: It offers both single file and multi-file repair mode for added convenience
• Preview Option: It allows previewing recovered data before saving, ensuring adequate recovery
• Wide Compatibility: The tool supports all Excel file formats (XLS and XLSX) and works well with all Excel versions
• Reach Tech Support: It provides excellent customer support for all user queries

3.2 Cons

• Recovery Speed: The recovery process might be slower than some other tools, especially for larger files
• High Resource Consumption: The tool may use up a lot of system resources while operating
• Pricing: The tool is relatively more expensive compared with some other Excel recovery tools on the market

4. Recovery Toolbox for Excel

Recovery Toolbox for Excel is yet another effective tool designed for recovering damaged and corrupted Microsoft Excel files. It helps to restore lost databases, links, images, and other types of data in Excel spreadsheets. Moreover, it is compatible with all popular versions of Microsoft Excel.

4.1 Pros

• Data Extraction: The tool stands out in its ability to extract useful data from broken Excel documents
• Ease of Use: It features a simple, intuitive user interface that makes it easy for beginners to navigate
• Compatibility: The tool is compatible with nearly all versions of Microsoft Excel
• Customer Support: The service provides responsive customer support

4.2 Cons

• Limitations in Free Version: The free version of the software only allows the viewing of recovered data but not saving
• May Not Recover All Data: In some instances, the software might not recover all the corrupted data
• Requires MS Excel: MS Excel must be installed on the machine for this tool to be able to open repaired files

5. Recovery for Excel

Recovery for Excel is a data recovery software that helps in repairing corrupted Microsoft Excel spreadsheets. It is known for its ability to recover the cell data, formulas, and even the macro programming language reports, making its recovery solutions extensive and thorough.

5.1 Pros

• Comprehensive Recovery: The tool is exceptional in recovering cell data, formulas, and macro language modules
• Multilingual: It supports multiple languages including but not limited to English, German, French, Italian, and Spanish
• Lightweight and Quick: The software is a fast and lightweight tool that requires little disk space

5.2 Cons

• Compatibility: The tool may not support all the latest versions of Microsoft Excel
• No data preview: Users can’t preview the recovered data before making a full recovery
• No Free Version: Unlike some other recovery tools, there is no free version available for this software

6. ExcelFIX

ExcelFIX is a simple yet powerful software tool that repairs and recovers damaged and corrupt Excel files. Whether the cause of corruption lies in unforeseen situations like power outages, software clashes, or hardware malfunctions, ExcelFIX comes in handy in recovering and restoring lost spreadsheets, formats, graphs, and raw data.

6.1 Pros

• Powerful Recovery: ExcelFIX is known for its robust recovery of formulas, images, comments, merged cells, groups and outlines, and more
• Speed: It provides fast recovery, ensuring minimal downtime
• Usability: The tool is easy to use with a user-friendly and intuitive interface
• Data Preview: It offers a data preview function before saving recovered files

6.2 Cons

• Price: The full version can be relatively pricey for some users
• Limitations of Free Version: The free demo version has limitations in terms of amount of recoverable data
• Compatibility: It might not support the recovery of all types of data and formats in some Excel versions

7. Recoveryfix for Excel Recovery

Recoveryfix for Excel Recovery is a proficient tool designed to repair corrupt or damaged Excel files and recover maximum possible data from them. It supports recovery from all types of Excel files and can handle all levels of corruption regardless of the file size.

7.1 Pros

• Extensive Recovery: The tool can recover tables, cell comments, charts, images, formulas, etc
• Two Recovery Modes: It offers two recovery modes – Single and Multi-file mode – for personalized recovery processes
• Data Preview: It allows users to preview recovered data before saving
• User-Friendly Interface: It features an intuitive and graphical user interface that simplifies the recovery process

7.2 Cons

• Pricing: The cost of a full version is a bit high considering the market standard
• Speed: Though it depends on the level of corruption, sometimes the recovery process may be relatively slow
• Support: Customer support could be improved

8. Stellar Phoenix Excel Repair

Stellar Phoenix Excel Repair is a powerful software created to repair corrupt or damaged Excel files. This tool can restore all Excel objects, such as charts, tables, cell comments, and other data, without modifying the original structure of the file.

8.1 Pros

• Detailed Recovery: The tool can recover multiple corrupted Excel worksheets with original formatting
• Preview Function: It boasts a helpful preview feature to review recovered workbook data before saving
• Usability: The intuitive and user-friendly interface makes file restoration easy, even for beginners
• Customer Support: Stellar Phoenix offers robust customer support for all user queries

8.2 Cons

• Pricing: The premium version is relatively expensive
• Recovery Speed: Some users have reported slower recovery speeds for large files
• Limitations of Free Version: The free demo version has limitations in terms of the amount of recoverable data

9. Repair My Excel

Repair My Excel is a dedicated Excel file recovery software that aims to repair and recover data from damaged or corrupt Excel files. It extracts and restores all the available content within the file, including text, numbers, formulas, formats and even images and charts, making it a comprehensive data recovery utility for your Excel files.

9.1 Pros

• Content Recovery: The tool recovers all of the available content, including images and charts
• Convenience: It’s easy to use due to its simple and clean interface
• Preview Feature: Allows users to preview the repaired Excel file before saving it

9.2 Cons

• Incomplete Recovery: In some rare cases, it may not fully recover highly corrupted files
• Pricing: The cost of the software is relatively high as compared to other tools
• Support: While it does have customer support, the response time could be improved

10. R-Excel

R-Excel is a tool aimed at recovering corrupted or deleted Microsoft Excel documents. This application supports all modern file versions, including Excel 2007, Excel 2003, Excel XP, Excel 2000, Excel 97, Excel 95, and Excel 5.0.

10.1 Pros

• Wide Compatibility: Supports a wide range of Excel versions
• File Recovery: The tool can recover not just corrupted files, but also deleted ones
• Interface: Features a clean, simple, and straightforward user interface

10.2 Cons

• Functionality: The tool’s recovery capabilities are sometimes limited, and it may struggle with heavy corruption
• Lack of Preview: Unlike some competing tools, R-Excel doesn’t allow for data preview before recovery
• Customer Support: The customer support service could be improved

11. Wondershare Repairit – File Repair

Wondershare Repairit – File Repair is a comprehensive file recovery tool that can repair corrupted Excel files. Its high capability of recovering and repairing corrupt Excel files, coupled with its simple, user-friendly interface, make it a popular choice among users.

11.1 Pros

• Efficiency: High recovery rate makes it efficient in recovering and repairing corrupt files
• Easy to Use: User-friendly interface simplifies the recovery process and is suitable for beginners
• Customer Support: Excellent customer service is provided for user support

11.2 Cons

• Pricing: The premium version of software is relatively expensive
• Limitations in Free Version: The free trial version has restrictions on the amount of recoverable data
• Speed: Recovery of larger files could be relatively slow

12. Excel Repair Toolbox

Excel Repair Toolbox is a compact and convenient tool specifically developed to assist in recovering damaged Microsoft Excel documents. With its intelligent algorithms, it can promptly recover and repair an assortment of Excel files ranging from .xls, .xlsx to .csv.

12.1 Pros

• Recovery Scope: The tool can recover an array of Excel formats and files
• Speed: The recovery and repair process is typically fast, thereby reducing downtime
• Flexibility: The software is easy to operate even for a beginner due to its interactive interface

12.2 Cons

• Limitations: Some users reported issues when trying to repair files with large sizes
• Pricing: The premium version could be pricier than other similar tools
• Customer Support: Customer support response times could be improved

13. SysTools Excel Recovery

SysTools Excel Recovery is an innovative tool designed to recover and restore corrupted Excel files. It is capable of repairing all objects in an Excel file, such as tables, charts, formulas, and more, offering a holistic recovery solution.

13.1 Pros

• Comprehensive Recovery: This tool is able to recover all Excel objects, offering a complete repair solution
• Preview Function: Allows users to preview the recovered Excel data before saving, ensuring the accuracy of the recovery process
• Compatibility: Supports all versions of MS Excel

13.2 Cons

• Pricing: The software is relatively expensive compared to some other Excel recovery tools
• Speed: The recovery process can take longer for large file sizes
• User Interface: Some users find the interface a bit complicated

14. Recoveryfix for Excel

Recoveryfix for Excel is a sophisticated tool that endeavors to recover and repair corrupted Excel files. It features a dual recovery mode – Single and Multi-file mode, making it a flexible solution for different user needs.

14.1 Pros

• Flexibility: It offers Single and Multi-file recovery modes to accommodate different user needs
• Data Integrity: Maintains data integrity while retrieving data from corrupt files
• Preview Function: Allows users to preview the recovered data before saving

14.2 Cons

• Recovery Speed: The recovery speed may be slower compared to some other tools
• Pricing: The cost for the full version is higher compared to other offerings in the market
• Support: Customer support response times can sometimes be slow

15. DiskInternals Excel Recovery

DiskInternals Excel Recovery is designed specifically for recovering lost and corrupted Excel files. It implements a unique recovery algorithm that allows it to recover not just recent versions of Excel files, but those created as far back as 40 years.

15.1 Pros

• Deep Recovery: The software can recover files that were deleted a long time ago
• Supports Large Files: DiskInternals Excel Recovery supports the recovery of large Excel files without any size limit
• Preview: It allows users to preview files before recovery

15.2 Cons

• Slow recovery speed: The software can be a little slower compared to other tools, especially with old files
• Complex Interface: Some users may find the interface bulky and complicated
• Pricing: Costs for full recovery can be relatively high

16. Excel Repair Kit

Excel Repair Kit is a powerful Microsoft Excel workbook repair tool that can repair corrupted XLSX files. It is particularly useful for recovering data from heavily corrupted Excel file entities and can retrieve a variety of data types.

16.1 Pros

• Recovery Capabilities: Excels in recovering various data types from severely corrupted Excel files
• Step-by-Step Recovery: The tool provides a step-by-step recovery wizard, making it easy for users to navigate through the process
• Data Preview: The tool also offers a preview functionality that allows users to view recovered data before saving

16.2 Cons

• Compatibility: Older versions of Excel are not supported by this tool
• Speed: Recovery of larger files might be slower than comparable tools
• Pricing: The complete version of the program is a bit pricier than some of its competitors

17. Summary

17.1 Best Choice

Upon thorough evaluation, DataNumen Excel Repair emerges as the top pick for MS Excel file recovery, owing to its superior recovery rate, extensive feature set, and exceptional technical support.

Free download

17.2 Overall Comparison Table

Here’s an overview of all the mentioned recovery tools and their corresponding pros and cons. This comparison table will let you make an informed decision about which tool to choose based on the requirement.

Tool	Recovery Rate	Price	Features	Ease of Use	Customer Support
DataNumen Excel Repair	High	Expensive	Recovery of text, numbers, formulas	Easy	Excellent
Kernel for Excel	Moderate	Premium	Multiple file repair, large file handling	Easy	Good
Recovery Toolbox for Excel	Moderate	Affordable	Recovery of all data types	Easy	Good
Recovery for Excel	Moderate	Affordable	Comprehensive data recovery	Easy	Average
ExcelFIX	Moderate	Expensive	Recovery of most data types, preview feature	Intermediate	Good
Recoveryfix for Excel Recovery	Moderate	Affordable	Multiple file repair	Intermediate	Average
Stellar Phoenix Excel Repair	Moderate	Premium	Comprehensive data recovery	Easy	Excellent
Repair My Excel	Moderate	Affordable	Preview feature, recovery of most data types	Easy	Good
R-Excel	Moderate	Affordable	Recovery of numeric and text cells	Intermediate	Average
Wondershare Repairit	Low	Premium	Multiple file repair, all data types recovery	Easy	Excellent
Excel Repair Toolbox	Low	Affordable	All data types recovery	Easy	Good
SysTools Excel Recovery	Low	Affordable	Preview feature, all data types recovery	Easy	Excellent
Recoveryfix for Excel	Low	Affordable	Multiple file repair	Intermediate	Good
DiskInternals Excel Recovery	Low	Affordable	All data types recovery, preview feature	Easy	Average
Excel Repair Kit	Low	Affordable	All data types recovery	Easy	Average

17.3 Recommended Tool Based on Various Needs

Considering all the tools and their features, the choice largely depends on specific requirements and preferences. If high recovery rate and data safety are the highest priority, then a tool like DataNumen Excel Repair might be the most reliable choice. However, if you are looking for a budget tool with a decent recovery rate, then options like Stellar Phoenix Excel Repair or Recoveryfix for Excel might be better. It’s best to thoroughly understand the pros and cons of each tool and go with the one that best suits your specific needs.

18. Conclusion

Excel files play a crucial role in carrying out various professional tasks, from simple data recording to complex statistical analysis. Losing such crucial data can be a significant setback for your projects. However, a wide range of MS Excel file recovery tools exist in the market for coming to your rescue. These tools offer different features and perform with varying accuracy levels.

In choosing the right tool for your needs, it’s important to consider factors such as recovery rate, ease-of-use, compatibility, and pricing. For businesses that may have a larger budget, you may want to prioritize recovery rate and data safety, for instance. On the other hand, individual users might prioritize cost-effectiveness.

Finally, remember that while these tools can be effective in recovering lost or corrupted data, regular backups are still the best safeguard against data loss. Therefore, it’s equally important to cultivate a habit of regularly backing up your crucial Excel files.