[Solved] Problem: Calc File won't open after power outage

[Z-Syl]

A Calc File I have been using for years now won't open.
I was editing it when a power outage happened.
When trying to open it now, it opens a "Document Recovery" window, which I click "Start Recovery" but it immediately fails.
Clicking "Next" opens a "Text Import" window, which I click "OK". After, a window opens saying the document is locked for editing by Unknown User, giving me only the options to either open as read-only or open copy. Both options only open a blank Clac file.
How can I restore the file to function as it was before the power outage?
Please help

[Hagar Delest]

Hi and welcome to the forum!

Power outage is a major issue with AOO.It almost always leads to dead files. See: [Tutorial] The Dreaded Pound Signs: file reduced to ####. Good luck. I hope you had backups.

LibreOffice has fixed this problem it may be a good reason to switch. See [Tutorial] Considering a Switch from OpenOffice to LibreOffice? Some Useful Information.

[Z-Syl]

Hi and welcome to the forum!

Power outage is a major issue with AOO.It almost always leads to dead files. See: [Tutorial] The Dreaded Pound Signs: file reduced to ####. Good luck. I hope you had backups.

LibreOffice has fixed this problem it may be a good reason to switch. See [Tutorial] Considering a Switch from OpenOffice to LibreOffice? Some Useful Information.

Hello
Thank you, I managed to fully restore the file with the help of the Recuva program your first suggestion pointed to

I'll be switching to LibreOffice as you suggested, I was using OpenOffice because it was recommended to me by a friend who also pointed to Ninite as an easy way to install it. As I was never made aware of LibreOffice's existence there, I also did not know of OpenOffice's obsolescence.

I also apologize for not properly introducing myself before posting, I was desperate to fix this issue as this file has over 3 years of my work put into it.

Once again, thank you very much for helping.

[RoryOF]

[...
I was desperate to fix this issue as this file has over 3 years of my work put into it.
...

Three years of work in a file and no daily backups?

Tut-tut!

[Z-Syl]

[...
I was desperate to fix this issue as this file has over 3 years of my work put into it.
...

Three years of work in a file and no daily backups?

Tut-tut!

It was never a problem until today.
But now I've turned on the auto backup function and I'm never turning it off again.

[robleyd]

It was never a problem until today.

You never need a backup, until you do.

[Hagar Delest]

I also apologize for not properly introducing myself before posting, I was desperate to fix this issue as this file has over 3 years of my work put into it.

No worry, we know how it feels. Better than users who come barking at everybody because they lost a file.

You have been very lucky! Very few manage to recover their file after a power outage.

[RoryOF]

I never pass a skip (= dumpster) without looking in it. I found a small UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) in one, which I rescued. It needed a new battery, which I obtained; It has saved my files on many occasions.