a file in excel that was on auto save cannot be loaded

Restore an earlier OneDrive version of Medical 2026.xlsx before attempting repairs, because this preserves the cloud file and is Microsoft’s recommended recovery method for an AutoSaved workbook that has become unreadable.

1. Recover the workbook from OneDrive version history

1. Sign in to the OneDrive website using the same personal Microsoft account used by Excel.
2. Locate Medical 2026.xlsx.
3. If it opens in Excel for the web, immediately use File > Save As > Download a Copy to create a safe backup.
4. If it does not open:
   • Right-click the file and select Version history.
   • Choose a version from before the error began.
   • If available, preview or download that version first.
   • Select the three dots beside the version, and then select Restore.

The selected version becomes the current workbook. Changes made after that version will not be present, although the previous current version remains in version history. Microsoft specifically recommends this procedure when Excel for the web reports that a workbook is corrupted or cannot be opened.^1^

2. Repair a downloaded copy if no older version opens

Do not run repair directly against the only cloud copy.

1. From OneDrive on the web, download Medical 2026.xlsx to a new local folder.
2. Rename the downloaded copy, for example, Medical 2026 recovery.xlsx.
3. Open Excel without opening the workbook.
4. Select File > Open > Browse.
5. Select the recovery copy. Do not open it from Recent.
6. Select the arrow beside Open, and then choose Open and Repair.
7. If Excel recovers it, save it under a new filename and verify the worksheets before replacing anything in OneDrive.

Microsoft documents Open and Repair as the built-in recovery option when Excel cannot open a damaged workbook normally.^2^

3. If the file is missing from OneDrive

Check the following while signed in to the same Microsoft account:

• Search OneDrive for Medical 2026 and xlsx.
• Check Recycle bin.
• Check whether the workbook was saved under another Microsoft account.

If found in the Recycle Bin, select it and choose Restore.^3^

4. Repair Microsoft 365 only if other workbooks also fail

If other known-good Excel files also cannot be opened, repair the Office installation:

1. Open Windows Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
2. Find Microsoft 365 or Microsoft Office.
3. Select its menu, then Modify.
4. Choose Online Repair and complete the prompts.

Office repair is appropriate when the problem affects more than one workbook; if only Medical 2026.xlsx fails, version recovery or workbook repair is the more targeted approach.^4^

References

1. Restore a previous version of an Excel file | Microsoft Support
2. Open a document after a file corruption error | Microsoft Support
3. [Personal](https://support.microsoft.com/onedrive/find-lost-or-missing-files-in-onedrive)
4. excel not opening - Microsoft Q&A