Updated: May 12, 2023
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by Jolene Haston
Tech Expert & Writer
497 resolved issues
Verified Expert in:
Smartphones, Apps, 4G/5G issues, Mac issues

My document is disappeared and I'm getting an error message 'This document is either deleted or not currently accessible'

Short summary:

Step 1: Check Microsoft 365 Backup Locations

  • If you have a Microsoft 365 subscription, check these two folder locations for a backup file:C:Users<UserName>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Word
    C:Users<UserName>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Office\UnsavedFiles Note: Replace "<UserName>" in the paths with your actual username.

Step 2: Search for AutoRecovered Files

  • Switch to Finder on your MacOS.
  • Click on Go in the menu bar, then select "Go to Folder."
  • Enter the following folder path in the text box: /Users/<username>/Library/Containers/com.Microsoft/Data/Library/Preferences/AutoRecovery Note: Replace "<username>" with your actual username.

Step 3: Explore the /var/ Directory

  • Go to Finder on your MacOS.
  • Click on Go in the menu bar, then select "Go to Folder."
  • Enter "/var/" in the text box.

Step 4: Verify Word Preferences

  • Open Microsoft Word.
  • Click on the "Word" menu in the menu bar, then select "Preferences."
  • Under the "Authoring and Proofing Tools" section, click on the "General" icon.
  • Ensure that the "Confirm file format conversion at Open" check box is selected.
  • Close the General dialog box.

Step 5: Attempt to Recover the Text

  • Click on "File" in the menu bar, then select "Open."
  • On the Open menu, located towards the bottom right, select "Recover Text."
  • Open the document.

Step 6: Check iCloud's Recently Deleted

  • Open a web browser and go to https://www.icloud.com/.
  • Log in with your Apple ID.
  • Click on "Recently Deleted" in the bottom-right corner of the window.
  • Select each file you want to recover.
  • Click "Recover."
author

Hello, thank you for using Howly. I’ll be happy to help you out! May I ask your name?

Customer Replay

*****

author

Nice to meet you, *****!
Could you please clarify, what app you use to save your document? Could you please take a screenshot of this message?

Customer Replay

Microsoft Word

Customer Replay

I saved the files to a folder in doucments, but when i went to retreieve it, it was no longer there. It was however, showing up in my 'recents' on word
but now it isnt

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author

Please try this:
If you have a Microsoft 365 subscription, check these two folder locations for a backup file: C:Users<UserName>AppDataRoamingMicrosoftWord
C:Users<UserName>AppDataLocalMicrosoftOfficeUnsavedFiles
Note: In these paths, replace <UserName> with your username.
To find the backup copy of the file, select Start, enter .wbk in the Search box, and then press Enter. If you find any files that have the name "Backup of" followed by the name of the missing file, double-click the file name to open it.
Do you have Windows or MacOS?

Customer Replay

MacOS

image


do I leave the <>

Customer Replay

ok
A potlight search, right?
*spotlight

author

Try it, please. Yes

Customer Replay

I tried the 2 paths and nothing worked

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author

Got it
Let's try to recover a file saved by AutoRecover
Normally, the application will automatically recover your work the next time that you open the app following a power failure or other unexpected shutdown by detecting that an AutoRecover file exists and automatically opening it. If you want to keep the recovered file, you should immediately save it before closing or editing it.
If you want to find any AutoRecovered files on your computer, switch to Finder,then click Go > Go To Folder and enter the appropriate folder path from the table below. Replace <username> with your username: /Users/<username>/Library/Containers/com.Microsoft/
Data/Library/Preferences/AutoRecovery

Customer Replay

Did not work
ok

author

Thanks!
Could you please check if you can find the file this way? Go to Finder>Go>Go to Folder>type /var >

Customer Replay

where am i going after entering /var>

Customer Replay

ok, several options came up
i'm just not sure where i should go to next
..to look for the files

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author

Could you please take a screenshot?

Customer Replay

Visitor uploaded: Image.png
Type: image/png
Size: 263672
Visitor uploaded: Image.png
Type: image/png
Size: 285882

author

Check all folders, please

Customer Replay

still searching

author

Please, update me of the results

Customer Replay

i cant find it

author
Top answer

Please, follow the instructions below:

  1. On the Word menu, click Preferences.
  2. Under Authoring and Proofing Tools, click General icon.
  3. Make sure that the Confirm file format conversion at Open check box is selected, and then close the General dialog box.
  4. Click File, Open.
  5. On the Open menu towards the bottom right select Recover Text.
  6. Open the document.
Customer Replay

I cannot find the file. thats what ive been saying! I saved it to a folder in documents and then when i went there to open it it was gone
the file was gone
so I opened word>recent and the documents showed up there in the recents menu

Customer Replay

but ehen when i tried to open it there i got a message saying 'This document is either deleted or not currently accessible'

author

Did you set up a backup of your documents with iCloud Drive?

Customer Replay

I have it set up, but its now showing on icloud

author
Top answer

Thank you
Please, open the link ----> https://www.icloud.com/

  1. Log in with your Apple ID
  2. Click Recently Deleted in the bottom-right corner of the window
  3. Select each file you want to recover, then click Recover.
Customer Replay

ok i'll try

author

Please, update me of the results

Customer Replay

Yes- I was able to recover!!
Phew!

author

Wonderful!
I am so pleased to see your issue got resolved!

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Comments

3 comments
Blaze
Invalid Date
instructions were confusin'. got lost, wasted time. no sign of doc. 😞
Ethan Johnson
Invalid Date
I followed the steps and found my lost document. Thank you! 😊
QueenBee13
Invalid Date
Well, this was a total letdown. I followed the instructions, but my document is gone for good. I expected better assistance. 😔

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