Missing Autorecover file

[Jack]

I shut things down too quickly and accidently hit "dont save" while
closing a Word doc I'd been working on for about an hour. But
everything I'd typed and somehow not once saved is nowhere to be found
- not even in Autosave. I had Word open all day with various
documents, and there is *nothing* in the Microsoft User Data file from
today with Autosave. No Word Work Files, either, from today.
In preferences, the Autorecover is set to save every 5 minutes. Where
are my lost words? Are they gone forever?
(I'm using Office 2004). What does AutoRecover actually do, if not
auto-recover?

 

[CyberTaz]

Unfortunately you seem to be using 2 separate terms interchangeably -
AutoSave & AutoRecover - the most significant difference between the two is
that none of the Mac Office apps have an AutoSave feature. Secondly, the
feature named AutoRecover does not save anything in the file you're working
with nor does it save any permanent record of the changes you've made in a
document.

AutoRecover [more accurately, Save AutoRecover Data] does not do anything
until you save at least once while working with a file. It then stores the
changes you make every n minutes in a *temporary* file if you haven't saved
within that time span. It only stores the unsaved changes & once you save
your work the temp file is wiped clean to make room for new changes to be
stored until you save again.

However, those temporary files are not retained if the file &/or the program
are closed under normal circumstances. The temporary file is then deleted
because the purpose for which it was created is no longer a possibility. The
only function of AutoRecover is to assist recovering unsaved changes in the
event of a crash or other unexpected error that forces the file to close,
causes the program to crash or hang, or causes the Mac/OS to fail. In the
event that any of those things happen the program will *attempt* to recover
the data in the temp file if it can on next launch. If it succeeds you are
given the opportunity to then save the changes in the actual file or have
the data discarded.

Especially if you acknowledged "No" to saving your work, I'm afraid there is
nothing to be recovered.

Some will suggest that you get in the habit of using the Preference to
"Always create Backup copy". Although I certainly don't discourage anyone
from doing so, even that wouldn't help in this scenario -- you still have to
save in order to have the backup file created & updated. My recommendation
[FWIW] is to build the Command+S keystroke into your workflow as an
instinctive action any time you make a change you don't want to risk losing.

 

[Jack]

Dear Bob,

Thanks very much. This was a good lesson. Didn't realize any of that,
or how it worked.
I normally command-s frequently and don't even think about it. Was
tired and definitely absentminded today.
Appreciate your help.
Best, Jack

 

[CyberTaz]

If it's any consolation, Jack, you're far from alone. The name of the
feature plus the fact that it's mixed in with the Save preferences has
caught any number of users off-guard -- on the Dark Side as well.

Regards |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac

 

[dow]

If it's any consolation, Jack, you're far from alone. The name of the
feature plus the fact that it's mixed in with the Save preferences has
caught any number of users off-guard -- on the Dark Side as well.

Regards |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac

I need help with remembering to 'save' at regular intervals whilst
I'm working in Word 2008...

I got used to Word 5.1's ability to ask me at set intervals if I
wanted to save.

I've had no success at finding a utility which will do the same thing.
I thought Adam Goldstein's SaveMe 1.3.1 was just what I needed, but
SaveMe lacks a crucial feature which stops me buying it: an 'active'
'OK' button. (that's probably not the correct term, but I mean the
feature that when the SaveMe dialog box pops up, I can press the
Return key to click OK - or Cancel to dismiss - and continue working).
That function was available in the old Save reminder in Word 5.1

I primarily use text-based programs, so it's a nuisance to have to go
to the mouse to click the button.

Has anyone any alternatives?

 

[CyberTaz]

Hi dow;

It takes a little bit of personal re-training, perhaps, but the easiest
method I've come across is to incorporate the Save command [Command+S] into
your workflow. Once you get into the habit you'd be surprised at how quickly
you can work by saving at your discretion without any interruption.

HTH |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac

 

[Clive Huggan]

I loved the description that a poster gave a little while ago about that
habit: she said something like "I forced myself to develop a 'tic' of doing
Command-s".

CH
===

Hi dow;

It takes a little bit of personal re-training, perhaps, but the easiest
method I've come across is to incorporate the Save command [Command+S] into
your workflow. Once you get into the habit you'd be surprised at how quickly
you can work by saving at your discretion without any interruption.

HTH |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac

I need help with remembering to 'save' at regular intervals whilst
I'm working in Word 2008...

I got used to Word 5.1's ability to ask me at set intervals if I
wanted to save.

I've had no success at finding a utility which will do the same thing.
I thought Adam Goldstein's SaveMe 1.3.1 was just what I needed, but
SaveMe lacks a crucial feature which stops me buying it: an 'active'
'OK' button. (that's probably not the correct term, but I mean the
feature that when the SaveMe dialog box pops up, I can press the
Return key to click OK - or Cancel to dismiss - and continue working).
That function was available in the old Save reminder in Word 5.1

I primarily use text-based programs, so it's a nuisance to have to go
to the mouse to click the button.

Has anyone any alternatives?

 

[MC]

I've mapped Cmd-S to a mouse button, and I've developed the tic of
saving after every paragraph or two, or whenever I stop to read what
I've written.

By the way it's a Microsoft Intellimouse Explorer. Nothing like as
elegant to look at as the Apple mice, but far better ergonomically (at
least for me) and highly practical.

I've mapped Exposé commands to two other buttons. Really good for the
work flow, I find.

I loved the description that a poster gave a little while ago about that
habit: she said something like "I forced myself to develop a 'tic' of doing
Command-s".

CH
===

Hi dow;

It takes a little bit of personal re-training, perhaps, but the easiest
method I've come across is to incorporate the Save command [Command+S] into
your workflow. Once you get into the habit you'd be surprised at how quickly
you can work by saving at your discretion without any interruption.

HTH |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac

If it's any consolation, Jack, you're far from alone. The name of the
feature plus the fact that it's mixed in with the Save preferences has
caught any number of users off-guard -- on the Dark Side as well.

Regards |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac

On 8/25/09 3:18 PM, in article
(e-mail address removed), "Jack"

Dear Bob,

Thanks very much. This was a good lesson. Didn't realize any of that,
or how it worked.
I normally command-s frequently and don't even think about it. Was
tired and definitely absentminded today.
Appreciate your help.
Best, Jack

I need help with remembering to 'save' at regular intervals whilst
I'm working in Word 2008...

I got used to Word 5.1's ability to ask me at set intervals if I
wanted to save.

I've had no success at finding a utility which will do the same thing.
I thought Adam Goldstein's SaveMe 1.3.1 was just what I needed, but
SaveMe lacks a crucial feature which stops me buying it: an 'active'
'OK' button. (that's probably not the correct term, but I mean the
feature that when the SaveMe dialog box pops up, I can press the
Return key to click OK - or Cancel to dismiss - and continue working).
That function was available in the old Save reminder in Word 5.1

I primarily use text-based programs, so it's a nuisance to have to go
to the mouse to click the button.

Has anyone any alternatives?