Where Does Excel Save Temp Files?

If you’re an Excel user, the chances are you’ve come across the need to save temporary files. But, have you ever wondered where Excel saves these temporary files? In this article, we’ll look at the details of where Excel saves temp files, and how you can access them. Read on to learn more about Excel’s temp files and how you can use them to your advantage.

Where Excel Saves Temp Files

Excel is a powerful spreadsheet program that is used to create and store data in the form of tables, charts, and graphs. Excel stores this data in temporary files, which are stored on your computer’s hard drive or other storage media. Knowing where Excel stores these files can be useful for managing your data and your computer’s resources, as well as recovering lost data.

The temporary files created by Excel are stored in a directory called %TMP%. The %TMP% directory is located in the root folder of the Windows operating system and is used to store temporary files created by applications. These files are usually deleted when the application is closed, but in some cases they may remain on the computer’s hard drive.

If you need to find the location of the %TMP% directory, you can do so by opening the Windows Explorer window and typing “%TMP%” in the address bar. You should then see a list of folders, including the %TMP% folder. To view the files stored in this folder, you can open it and view the contents.

Finding Excel’s Temporary Files

In order to find the Excel temporary files, you will first need to open the %TMP% folder. Once you have opened the folder, you should be able to locate the Excel temporary files by looking for the file extension “.tmp”. This will show you all the temporary files created by Excel.

If you need to recover any of the data stored in the Excel temporary files, you can do so by opening the files in the application. Excel will then attempt to recover the data and save it in a new file. This recovery process can take some time, depending on the size of the file and the amount of data stored in it.

Deleting Excel’s Temporary Files

If you need to delete the Excel temporary files, you can do so by first opening the %TMP% folder, then selecting the files with the .tmp extension. Once you have selected the files, you can delete them by right-clicking on the file and selecting the “delete” option.

It is important to note that deleting the Excel temporary files will not delete any of the data stored in the files. If you need to recover the data stored in the files, you will need to open them in the application and manually save the data in a new file.

Saving Excel Files to the %TMP% Folder

If you need to save an Excel file to the %TMP% folder, you can do so by opening the file in Excel and selecting the “Save As” option. In the “Save As” window, you should then select the %TMP% folder as the location to save the file.

When saving an Excel file to the %TMP% folder, it is important to note that the file will be stored in the temporary folder until it is manually deleted. This means that the file will be deleted when the application is closed, or when the computer is restarted. If you need to keep the data stored in the file, you should save it to another location.

Benefits of Storing Excel Files in the %TMP% Folder

Storing Excel files in the %TMP% folder can be beneficial for a number of reasons. This includes the ability to easily recover lost data, as well as the ability to quickly open and view the data stored in the files. Additionally, storing the files in the %TMP% folder can also help to free up space on your computer’s hard drive, as the files will be automatically deleted when the application is closed or the computer is restarted.

Few Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: What are Excel temp files?

Answer: Excel temp files, also known as Temporary Files, are created by the Microsoft Excel application when a user is working on a spreadsheet. These files save information that is used to automatically recover a document in the event of an unexpected shutdown or crash. They are usually deleted after the Excel program is closed, but if the program fails to close properly, these files may remain on the computer.

Question 2: What information is stored in Excel temp files?

Answer: Excel temp files contain information that is used to automatically recover a document in the event of an unexpected shutdown or crash. This includes data about the spreadsheet, such as the range of cells that were last edited, the worksheet name, and any changes made to the spreadsheet. These files also save information about the Excel application, such as the version of Excel that was being used.

Question 3: Where does Excel save temp files?

Answer: Excel temp files are usually saved in the “Temp” folder on the computer. This folder is located in the C:\ drive, and can be accessed by opening the “Run” dialog box and typing %temp%. The temp files are typically named with an 8 character random string followed by the .tmp extension.

Question 4: What are the benefits of using Excel temp files?

Answer: Excel temp files are useful for automatically recovering a document in the event of an unexpected shutdown or crash. As the temp files save information about the spreadsheet and the Excel application, it is possible to recover the document without having to start from scratch. This can save significant time and effort when working with large spreadsheets.

Question 5: Are Excel temp files secure?

Answer: Generally, Excel temp files are considered to be secure as they are not stored on the computer indefinitely. When the Excel application is closed, these files are usually deleted. However, it is still important to ensure that the temp folder is secure, as the files can remain on the computer if the application fails to close properly.

Question 6: How can I delete Excel temp files?

Answer: To delete Excel temp files, you can open the “Run” dialog box and type %temp%. Then, open the “Temp” folder and delete any files that have the .tmp extension. It is also possible to delete all of the Excel temp files at once by using the Disk Cleanup tool. This tool can be accessed by searching for “Disk Cleanup” in the Windows Start menu.

Excel temp files are essential for ensuring user’s documents are properly saved and stored. Knowing where Excel saves temp files is crucial for properly managing your documents and using Excel’s features to the fullest. With this information, you now have the tools to easily locate and manage your Excel temp files.