You see the error “Item has been deleted by another user” when opening a PowerPoint file that was previously saved to OneDrive or SharePoint. This sync error occurs when the local copy of the file becomes out of sync with the cloud version, often after a co-author deletes or renames the file. This article explains why the error happens and provides clear steps to recover your work and restore access to the file.
Key Takeaways: Fixing the “Item Has Been Deleted by Another User” Error
- File > Open > Recover Unsaved Presentations: Recovers the last autosaved version of the presentation from your local cache.
- OneDrive website > Recycle Bin: Restores the deleted file from OneDrive or SharePoint recycle bin within 30 days.
- Version History in PowerPoint Online: Opens earlier saved versions of the file without needing the local copy.
Why the Sync Error Occurs in PowerPoint
The “Item has been deleted by another user” error is a sync conflict message from Microsoft 365. It appears when the local copy of a PowerPoint file no longer matches the cloud version because the cloud file was moved, renamed, or deleted by another person who has edit permissions. This situation most often happens in shared team sites, SharePoint document libraries, or OneDrive folders where multiple people collaborate on the same presentation.
When you open the file from your local sync folder, Windows tries to pull the latest version from the cloud. If the cloud file is missing, PowerPoint displays the error and refuses to open the file. The file itself is not corrupted. Only the sync link between your local copy and the cloud file is broken.
Steps to Recover the Deleted or Missing PowerPoint File
- Check the OneDrive or SharePoint Recycle Bin
Open a web browser and sign in to OneDrive or your SharePoint site. In the left navigation pane, click Recycle bin. Look for the deleted PowerPoint file. Select it and click Restore. The file returns to its original location. After restoration, close and reopen PowerPoint to clear the sync error. - Recover an Unsaved Local Copy From AutoRecover
Open PowerPoint and go to File > Open > Recover Unsaved Presentations. A file dialog opens showing the AutoRecover folder. Look for files with the .pptx extension and a date matching when you last edited the presentation. Double-click the file to open it. Save it to a new location on your local drive before the cloud sync resumes. - Use Version History in PowerPoint Online
Open the OneDrive or SharePoint site in a browser. Navigate to the folder that originally contained the file. If the file still exists but the error persists, right-click the file and select Version history. A panel opens listing all saved versions. Click a version from before the deletion occurred. PowerPoint Online opens that version. Download it to your computer by clicking File > Save As > Download a copy. - Disconnect and Reconnect the Sync Folder
If the error continues after file restoration, the local sync cache may be stale. Right-click the OneDrive or SharePoint icon in the Windows system tray. Select Settings > Account > Unlink this PC. Confirm the unlinking. Then sign in again to OneDrive and select the folders to sync. This forces a fresh download of all cloud files and clears the broken sync reference.
If the Error Still Appears After Recovery
PowerPoint Shows the Error on a File That Was Not Deleted
This happens when the file was moved to a different folder in the cloud. The local sync folder still points to the old path. Ask the person who moved the file to move it back to the original folder, or use the Sync button on the new folder location in the web browser to create a new local sync link. Then delete the old local copy.
Co-Author Renamed the File While You Had It Open
If another user renamed the file while you were editing, your copy may still reference the old name. Close the file. Go to the OneDrive recycle bin and restore the file under its original name. Then ask the co-author to rename it again after everyone has closed the file.
Sync Conflict Creates Duplicate Files With “(1)” in the Name
When two people save conflicting changes, OneDrive creates a duplicate file with a number suffix. The original file may appear deleted to one user. Check the OneDrive recycle bin for the original file. If it is there, restore it. Then merge the changes from the duplicate into the restored file using the Review > Compare feature in PowerPoint.
| Recovery Method | When to Use | Limitation |
|---|---|---|
| OneDrive Recycle Bin | File was deleted within the last 30 days | File deleted more than 30 days ago is permanently gone |
| AutoRecover local copy | You have not manually saved after the deletion happened | Only recovers the last autosaved version, not the latest edits |
| Version History in browser | File still exists in the cloud but sync is broken | Requires manual download of each version |
| Unlink and relink sync folder | Sync cache is corrupted or stale | Resyncs all files, which can take time for large libraries |
You can now recover a PowerPoint file affected by the “Item has been deleted by another user” sync error using the recycle bin, AutoRecover, or version history. To prevent this error in the future, ask your team to avoid deleting or renaming shared files while others have them open. As an advanced step, enable File > Options > Save > Keep the last autosaved version if I close without saving to retain a local fallback copy for up to 10 days.