Grabbing The Mru List In Excel

Are you stuck trying to find a list of recently used files in Excel? Do not worry, this article will walk you through the steps to easily grab the MRU list. You’ll discover the power of Excel and be able to quickly access your recently used files.

MRU List in Excel

Know the MRU List in Excel? Want to use it efficiently? Understand its definition and importance first! These sub-sections provide answers to your questions. Knowing these will help you access recent files faster. Saving time in your work!

Definition of MRU List

MRU List, also known as Most Recently Used List in Excel, is a feature that registers the most recently used files or workbooks. The list is available in the File menu and provides easy access to the last opened files and locations. It can help save time when working on multiple projects simultaneously by providing quick access to frequently accessed files.

The MRU List can be customized according to personal preference by altering the number of files displayed or clearing the list altogether. The feature is particularly useful for individuals who work with multiple Excel sheets regularly and need quick access to old files.

To view or modify the MRU List, one needs to navigate through the Options tab in Excel’s Backstage view. From there, click on Advanced options and select Display under the section labeled ‘Show this number of Recent Documents.’ Here you can customize your display preferences accordingly.

Notably, users should be wary of keeping sensitive information accessible via MRU Lists as it can pose a security threat. Therefore it is advised to clear them from time-to-time using manual procedures only.

True fact: According to Microsoft Support documentation, Excel automatically saves up to twenty-five items in each Office application’s MRU List.

Knowing the MRU List in Excel is like having a secret weapon for data analysis – use it wisely and you’ll be a spreadsheet superhero.

Importance of Knowing MRU List

Knowing the MRU List of Excel files is of utmost importance for organizing work, increasing efficiency, and saving valuable time. With quick access to the recently used list, one can easily navigate through their documents without having to go through the hassle of manually searching for the desired file. Moreover, it helps in reducing errors and avoiding duplication of tasks by providing instant visibility to previous work.

Apart from these benefits, being aware of the MRU List also aids in maintaining privacy and confidentiality as it provides an overview of recent activity on Excel files. It enables users to ensure that sensitive information is not readily accessible or shared inadvertently.

Incorporating knowledge about MRU Lists into one’s workflow can enhance productivity considerably. By effectively managing recent documents and avoiding repetitive tasks, professionals can save time and focus on accomplishing more significant tasks.

Don’t miss out on the numerous advantages that come with knowing MRU Lists in Excel. Familiarize yourself with this feature and make your life easier immediately!

Get your hands on the MRU list in Excel by following these sneaky tactics:

Ways to Grab MRU List in Excel

Different options with varied solutions exist for grabbing the Most Recently Used (MRU) list in Excel. Let’s dive into these three sub-sections:

1. Registry Editor
2. VBA Programming
3. Excel Options

Using Registry Editor

The MRU list in Excel can be easily grabbed by using the Registry Editor.

To Grab the MRU List using Registry Editor:

1. Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type ‘regedit’ and hit enter.
3. Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\\SOFTWARE\\Microsoft\\Office
4. Select the version of Microsoft Office you use (e.g., 16.0 for Office 2016, 15.0 for Office 2013, etc.).
5. Go to Excel\\File MRU (to get the list of recently opened files) or Excel\\Place MRU (to get a list of recently used places).
6. The list can now be accessed by examining the keys under either File MRU or Place MRU.

It is important to note that altering registry settings could potentially harm your computer if done incorrectly, so be cautious when making any changes.

Some users may not be comfortable with editing registries. These individuals can benefit from using third-party software that allow for easy extraction of the MRU list from Excel.

A colleague once shared an incident where they accidentally wiped their entire document history while trying to clear their most recent files in Excel’s MRU list. Having a backup is always crucial in these situations!

Want to grab that MRU list faster than Excel crashing? Get ready to unleash the power of VBA programming.

Using VBA Programming

1. Open Microsoft Excel, Press ‘Alt + F11’ to launch the VBA screen.
2. In the project window on the left, right-click on ‘This Workbook’ and select ‘Insert’ -> ‘Module’ from the menu.
3. Type or Copy & Paste the following code into the white space:


Sub ShowRecentFiles()
MsgBox Application.RecentFiles(1).Name
End Sub


1. Press F5 or click on Run to execute this code.
2. You will see a message box displaying the name of your most recently used file.

Moreover, you can modify the code to display multiple files by changing “Application.RecentFiles(1).Name” with “Application.RecentFiles(i).Name”, where i is an integer starting from 1.

Pro Tip: Using VBA Programming in Excel can be intimidating at first, but once you get comfortable with basic syntax and commands, you can automate various tasks!

Unlock the power of Excel Options to become the master of your MRU List destiny.

Using Excel Options

Excel’s options provide an effective way of obtaining the MRU list. By accessing Excel’s settings, users can easily access a range of customization features.

1. Open Excel and click on the ‘File’ tab
2. Select ‘Options’ from the following list
3. Locate and click on ‘Advanced’ in the left-hand menu to enable various advanced options, including the MRU list.

Utilizing this method provides users with access to Excel settings that will help them get all recent use lists for enhanced productivity.

It is essential to keep in mind that while there are several other ways to achieve this, none is much more accessible than using Excel’s Options.

Experts recommend trying different methods to see which one works best.

It is true that there are several tools available online for extracting the MRU List in Excel. However, not all of these tools work correctly or can result in data loss.

Grabbing the MRU list in Excel is like having a cheat sheet for your most recent files, and who doesn’t love a good shortcut?

Advantages of Grabbing MRU List

In today’s Excel world, knowing how to grab the Most Recently Used (MRU) list can certainly come in handy. By accessing this list, you can quickly retrieve and access recent files, making your work much more efficient. Here are a few benefits of grabbing the MRU list:

• Access Recent Documents Quickly: Accessing the MRU list can help you quickly find the files you were recently working on, which is especially useful if you have a high volume of files.
• Increased Efficiency: With the MRU list, you can quickly retrieve your recent documents without having to go through the hassle of searching them individually. This can save you time and increase your overall efficiency.
• Reduced Frustration: Imagine having spent hours working on a document, only to close it by mistake. By accessing the MRU list, you can quickly find and reopen it, saving you the frustration of having to redo all your work.
• Maintain Consistency: By using the MRU list, you can maintain consistency in the formatting and style of your documents as it retrieves your most recent version of the document.
• Improved Collaboration: If you’re working on a shared project, having access to the MRU List will allow you to retrieve recent files that your team members have been working on.

With these benefits in mind, it’s easy to see why grabbing the MRU list is such a useful feature. One unique aspect of the MRU list is that it can be customized, with the ability to increase or decrease the number of documents shown on the list, depending on your preferences.

Pro Tip: Keep in mind that the MRU list doesn’t just apply to Excel – it also exists in other Microsoft Office applications, such as Word and PowerPoint. By mastering this feature in one application, you can apply it to your work across different Office applications.

FAQs about Grabbing The Mru List In Excel

What is the MRU List in Excel?

The MRU (Most Recently Used) List in Excel is a list of recently opened or used files, workbooks, and templates.

How do I access the MRU List in Excel?

You can access the MRU List in Excel by clicking on the “File” tab, then clicking on “Open Recent” near the bottom of the left-hand menu.

Can I customize the number of items in the MRU List?

Yes, you can customize the number of items in the MRU List by going to the Excel Options menu, clicking on “Advanced”, and then scrolling down to the “Display” section. Here, you can set the “Show this number of Recent Documents” option to any number you prefer.

Is it possible to delete items from the MRU List?

Yes, you can delete items from the MRU List by right-clicking on a file or workbook in the list and selecting “Remove from list”. Alternatively, you can clear the entire MRU List by clicking on “Clear Unpinned Items” at the bottom of the “Open Recent” menu.

Can I pin items to the MRU List?

Yes, you can pin items to the MRU List by clicking on the pushpin icon next to a file or workbook in the list. Pinned items will remain at the top of the list, even after you open newer files.

Is there any way to retrieve a file that has been removed from the MRU List?

Yes, if you have selected the “Don’t show this message again” option when deleting a file from the MRU List, you can still retrieve it by going to the “Recent” tab under the “Open” menu and scrolling down to the “Other Documents” section. From here, you can select the file you want to open.