data versions with conflicting file dates

[Marc Zarowin]

I have an Excel file I opened to copy its form/structure, then enter
NEW DATA. My Mac shut down during the night (on its own, as I
remember putting it to 'sleep.') and seems to have saved a regrettable
erasure of data within the Excel file I referred to above.

Why, when I open a copy of that file with a file date of Dec 12 03
does Excel persist in displaying the version whose data was mistakenly
erased?

Older (Dec 12) file resides on an external firewire device.

Is this a Mac OS issue (running Panther 10.3.2)? Or a MSoft issue?

 

[J.E. McGimpsey]

I have an Excel file I opened to copy its form/structure, then enter
NEW DATA. My Mac shut down during the night (on its own, as I
remember putting it to 'sleep.') and seems to have saved a regrettable
erasure of data within the Excel file I referred to above.

Why, when I open a copy of that file with a file date of Dec 12 03
does Excel persist in displaying the version whose data was mistakenly
erased?

Older (Dec 12) file resides on an external firewire device.

Is this a Mac OS issue (running Panther 10.3.2)? Or a MSoft issue?

If you're opening the file using File/Open (or double clicking on
the icon), then you're looking at the last saved version of the
file. Not much you can do about that. XL saves files only when
instructed to by the user or by macro code, so it would have been
something you initiated (whether on purpose or not).

If the file is autmatically popping up when you open XL, it's a file
produced by AutoRecover (Preferences/Save/Save Autorecover Info).
You can save the file with a new name, or you can close it and it
will be deleted when XL next closes.

 

[Marc Zarowin]

Hi, I think I comprehend your reply, but I'm puzzled as to why an
*older* copy of the SAME file persists in opening in its *newer* form.
I also happen to have a back up copy of this file in yet a third
drive (soon to be retired), and I'm experiencing identical problem.
Would you recommend I just give up on trying to restore the old data
file?
Thank you much! And Merry Christmas!

Marc

 

[J.E. McGimpsey]

Hi, I think I comprehend your reply, but I'm puzzled as to why an
*older* copy of the SAME file persists in opening in its *newer* form.
I also happen to have a back up copy of this file in yet a third
drive (soon to be retired), and I'm experiencing identical problem.
Would you recommend I just give up on trying to restore the old data
file?

I don't know except that evidently the "new" file saved over the old
one. I'd try to restore from whichever file is most complete, but
make sure you Save As to a new file.