file does not exist

[alexavr]

I saved a file to my macbook air computer as an ai and not pdf. its been on my home paage for a few days but, now it is gone today. I can't find it in my finder or my trash. I didn't save it to creative cloud so it can't be in there. When I opened illustrator, I went to file > open recent files and I saw it. When I clicked the file it says file doesn't exist. Is it somewhere or do I have to restart? 

[Monika Gause]

It's nowhere to be found? Not in the place where you saved it?

After initially saving it (Save as), did you use the Save operation?

You could use a Find utility that also searches the hidden folders, such as EasyFind.

There are some instances where people have used Save and then their edits didn't get saved. I don't remember one where the file got lost completely.

If you still cannot find your file, then it might be gone for good.

What you should do:

- Check your harddisk for failure

- turn on Time machine and use it

- Make a backup strategy and regularly save your files.

- save early, save often, save different versions.

In Illustrator it might be a good idea to turn off "Save in background"