User level: Level 1 (4 points)I have an excel file last used August 31. When I try to open it, it has personal information then says library-mobile documents-.trash. I got into the Terminal today, but it isn't there. I didn't delete it and it isn't in my regular trash file.
Posted on Sep 30, 2026 11:00 AM
User level: Level 9 (77,942 points)Oct 1, 2026 11:28 AM in response to Findingthelost
Findingthelost wrote:
First of all, the file is missing from my desktop. When I go to Excel and see the file in the list of files and try to open, that is where the message shows up. It shows McIntosh HD(arrows)Users(arrows)my name(arrows)Library(arrows)documents(arrows).Trash. The next file that is missing from my desktop shows the same things up to desktop, but when I try to open either file it says "This file is either deleted or not currently assessible". Neither are in my trash file. Both files I have used within the past month.
I am guessing that the correct path is this:
/Users/yourname/Library/Mobile Documents/.Trash
Copy and paste the following command to Terminal, press enter, then copy the result and post it here:
ls -l ~/Library/Mobile\ Documents/.Trash
(use copy and paste to make sure you do not make a typing mistake)
If the file is there (and I think it probably is), this will tell us the exact name, and we can tell you how to move it to a location where you can use it.
User level: Level 9 (77,942 points)Oct 1, 2026 5:58 AM in response to Findingthelost
How and where are you seeing the file?
Please post the exact path you are getting - with the proper capitalization and separators.
Path separator is never a dash, it's a forward slash, "/".
We need to know exactly what the path is, for example /Library and ~/Library are two completely different locations on your drive.
Note that folders starting with a period are hidden by default in Finder, so even if you are in the correct Library, you may be searching for a hidden folder - probably ".Trashes". Again, be precise so we can give you precise directions and have a decent chance of properly locating the file and moving it to somewhere it can be used.
User level: Level 9 (78,350 points)Oct 1, 2026 7:37 AM in response to Findingthelost
Is Excel showing you this path or the Finder?
Is this on the "Recents" list when you see this "file"?
User level: Level 1 (4 points)Oct 1, 2026 10:32 AM in response to Findingthelost
First of all, the file is missing from my desktop. When I go to Excel and see the file in the list of files and try to open, that is where the message shows up. It shows McIntosh HD(arrows)Users(arrows)my name(arrows)Library(arrows)documents(arrows).Trash. The next file that is missing from my desktop shows the same things up to desktop, but when I try to open either file it says "This file is either deleted or not currently assessible". Neither are in my trash file. Both files I have used within the past month.
User level: Level 1 (4 points)Oct 1, 2026 10:34 AM in response to Findingthelost
Also, Finder doesn't list either file.
Originally posted at discussions.apple.com/thread/256368008