Best Excel File Repair Software Without Losing Data. Microsoft Excel is among the most widely used spreadsheet applications, favoured by individuals and businesses for its versatility and functionality. However, despite its reliability, Excel files can still be prone to corruption and damage for various reasons, such as unexpected system crashes, file system errors, virus attacks, etc. When such unfortunate events occur, Excel recovery tools come to the rescue, offering the means to repair and recover damaged or inaccessible Excel files.
This article will explore five prominent Excel recovery tools: Stellar Repair for Excel, Recovery Toolbox for Excel, SysTools Excel Recovery, Kernel for Excel File Recovery Tool, and DiskInternals Excel Recovery. We will delve into each software’s features, pros, and cons to help users decide when choosing the right solution for their needs.
Also See: How to Unlock Excel Without Password
[5] Best Excel File Repair Software Without Losing Data
1. Stellar Repair for Excel
Stellar Repair for Excel is a versatile tool designed to recover and restore corrupted files to their original state. It employs advanced algorithms to scan damaged files and extract data effectively. Below are five pros and cons of Stellar Repair for Excel:
Pros
- User-Friendly Interface: Stellar Repair for Excel provides an intuitive interface, making it accessible to users with varying levels of technical expertise.
- High Recovery Success Rate: The software boasts a high success rate in recovering data from severely damaged or encrypted Excel files.
- Batch Recovery: Users can recover multiple Excel files simultaneously, saving time and effort.
- Wide Excel Compatibility: Stellar Repair for Excel supports the recovery of Excel files from all versions of MS Excel, ensuring broad compatibility.
- Preview Option: The tool lets users preview the recoverable data before saving, ensuring they retrieve the specific information they need.
Cons
- Free Version Limitations: The trial version has limited features, which may hinder users from evaluating the software entirely.
- High Cost: The full version of Stellar Repair for Excel can be relatively expensive compared to other Excel recovery tools.
- Limited File Format Support: It primarily focuses on repairing XLSX and XLS files, potentially leaving out users with other file formats.
2. Recovery Toolbox for Excel
Recovery Toolbox for Excel is another popular choice for recovering corrupted Excel files. It is designed to handle common Excel file issues effectively. Here are its pros and cons:
Pros
- Quick Recovery: Recovery Toolbox for Excel boasts fast recovery times, making it ideal for users seeking swift solutions.
- Simple Process: The recovery process is straightforward and does not require deep technical knowledge, making it user-friendly.
- Extracts Formulas and Formats: The tool recovers data and restores formulas and cell formatting, minimizing data loss.
- File Preview: Users can preview the recoverable data, allowing them to select specific items to recover.
- Broad Windows OS Compatibility: Recovery Toolbox for Excel supports various versions of Windows operating systems, ensuring broad usability.
Cons
- Limited to XLS and XLSX Formats: The tool only supports XLS and XLSX file formats, potentially excluding users with other Excel formats.
- Limited Customer Support: Users have reported slow or limited customer support responses from the company.
- May Not Handle Severe Corruption: Some users have reported limitations in recovering highly damaged or severely corrupted Excel files.
- Costly Full Version: The full version’s price may be higher than the range of features offered.
3. SysTools Excel Recovery
SysTools Excel Recovery is a specialized software for recovering and repairing Excel files suffering from corruption. Let’s explore its pros and cons:
Pros
- Advanced Recovery Options: SysTools Excel Recovery offers various recovery modes, catering to different levels of file corruption.
- Easy-to-Use: The software provides a simple and intuitive interface, enabling non-technical users to navigate and recover files effortlessly.
- Recovery from External Devices: It supports recovering Excel files from external storage media like external hard drives and USBs.
- Supports Batch Recovery: Users can recover multiple Excel files simultaneously, saving time and effort.
- Offers File Preview: SysTools Excel Recovery lets users preview recoverable data before saving, ensuring accuracy.
Cons
- Limited OS Compatibility: The software may not be compatible with some older Windows versions.
- Lack of Mac Support: SysTools Excel Recovery is designed for Windows users, leaving Mac users without an option.
- Relatively High Cost: The full version may have a higher price tag than other Excel recovery tools.
- No Cross-Platform Compatibility: It doesn’t support cross-platform recovery, meaning you can’t recover Windows Excel files on a Mac or vice versa.
- No Free Version: Unlike some competitors, SysTools Excel Recovery does not offer a free version, limiting evaluation options.
4. Kernel for Excel File Recovery Tool
Kernel for Excel File Recovery Tool is a comprehensive software for repairing corrupted Excel files and restoring lost data. Here are its pros and cons:
Pros
- Supports Multiple File Formats: Kernel for Excel File Recovery Tool supports various Excel file formats, including XLS, XLSX, XLSM, and more.
- Deep Scan Mode: The tool offers a deep scan mode for thoroughly analyzing severely corrupted Excel files.
- Option for Conditional Filtering: Users can apply filters based on specific criteria, facilitating the selection of desired data for recovery.
- User-Friendly Interface: The software presents a user-friendly interface, making it suitable for all levels of users.
- Demo Version Availability: Users can try the demo version to evaluate the tool’s performance before purchasing.
Cons
- No Mac Version: Kernel for Excel File Recovery Tool is only available for Windows users, leaving Mac users without support.
- Mixed Reviews on Customer Support: Some users have reported diverse experiences with customer support assistance.
- Limited Saving in Demo Version: The trial version may restrict users from saving the recovered data, limiting its usefulness for some.
- Higher Learning Curve for Advanced Features: While basic recovery is simple, exploring advanced features may require a steeper learning curve.
- No Batch Recovery: The tool cannot recover multiple files simultaneously.
5. DiskInternals Excel Recovery
DiskInternals Excel Recovery is a specialized tool designed to recover Excel files from various storage media, even in damaged file systems. Let’s explore its pros and cons:
Pros
- Wide Storage Media Support: DiskInternals Excel Recovery can recover Excel files from hard drives, external drives, memory cards, and more.
- Recovers Encrypted Files: The tool can handle and recover password-protected or encrypted Excel files.
- Deep Scan Option: Users can use the deep scan mode to ensure comprehensive recovery of corrupted files.
- File Preview: It allows users to preview recoverable data before performing the recovery process.
- Disk Image Creation: The software enables the creation of disk images, protecting data from further corruption during the recovery process.
Cons
- Limited File Format Support: DiskInternals Excel Recovery primarily focuses on XLS and XLSX formats, potentially excluding users with other formats.
- No Mac Support: DiskInternals Excel Recovery is designed for Windows users, like several other tools.
- No Free Version: The lack of a free version may hinder users from evaluating the software without purchasing it first.
- May Not Handle Complex Corruption: In some cases of highly complex corruption, the tool may not be as effective in recovering data.
- Higher Learning Curve for Advanced Features: While primary recovery is straightforward, using advanced features may require more technical expertise.
Conclusion
When choosing an Excel recovery tool, it’s essential to consider factors such as ease of use, file format support, recovery success rate, and cost. Each of the mentioned Excel recovery tools has its own set of strengths and limitations. Ultimately, choosing an Excel recovery tool depends on the user’s requirements and the nature of the corrupted Excel files.
It is advisable to try out these tools’ free or trial versions before making a final decision. Always back up your important files regularly to avoid significant data loss in case of corruption or damage.
