Problem: Excel Autorecovery backup creates multiple file...

Bearly1227 · Joined: Feb 21, 2003 Posts: 55 Location: Central MA, USA

I realize this may be just a shot in the dark, but my MS centric friend of mine has Excel on Windows XP, and when it makes it's Autorecovery backup files, instead of overwriting the backup file every ten minutes in default mode, it creates a numbered additional file.

So if he works for two hours, he has an additional 11 backup files, which are a PIA to remove. He doesn't just work two hours, but keeps the database open for several hours a day. Rolling Eyes

I got the MS Excel Autorecovery procedure from the Microsoft site, but it only covers how to change the frequency of the backups and doesn't seem to cover multiple Autorecovery backups (Specific file autosave function).

Any clues on why it makes multiple backups instead of just overwriting the older file?

Thanks,

Bob
Rolling Eyes

zlim · Joined: Mar 11, 2005 Posts: 2747

Auto backup is not the same as auto recover
http://excel.tips.net/Pages/T003884_Turning_Off_Automatic_Backups_in_E...l_2007.

I'm not sure if the same applies to versions earlier than excel 2007.

drwho07 · Joined: Nov 29, 2007 Posts: 2238 Location: Central FL, USA

I'd have to imagine that the multiple backups are a safety feature built into the program, so that if something happened while the backup was being made, like a power outage, there would be GOOD backups safely stored on the HD.

I've not used Excel in years, so I don't remember.....does the program delete the backups when the working file is CLOSED and SAVED?
I seem to remember something like that happening with MS Word.

Personally, if I valued that Excel file, I'd welcome the backups.
And, I might even click on SAVE every few minutes myself.

I encourage people writing the "Great American Novel" to do likewise.
Backup, Backup, Backup!!!
And, never keep the only copy of the file on your computer.
A flash drive is great for saving important files.
Since Flash Drives can fail too, using Multiple Flash Drives is encouraged.
It all depends on just how valuable that file is to you.

Cheers Mates!
Doc Cool

micker377 · Joined: May 27, 2005 Posts: 1059

A shot in the dark - did the backup files somehow get a "Read Only" attribute? A "Read Only" can be deleted, but not overwritten.