In one of my science classes, we had a project that required several hours of data entry. We worked on his laptop because he said it was more convenient. Before we finished, he closed the laptop without saving. The next day he realized everything was gone.
He said we should just redo it. I reminded him that I asked him earlier if he saved the file and he said it was fine. I told him he should redo the missing parts himself since he caused the problem.
He said that was unfair and that we should share the workload again. I said I already did my share. He later told classmates that I refused to help him after a mistake.
I did not want to spend another three hours redoing something we already completed because he ignored basic steps.
AITA for telling him to redo it himself?
No, you’re not the asshole. You already did your share, and he lost the work because he didn’t save it. That’s on him, not you. I wouldn’t spend another three hours redoing something I’d already done just because someone else didn’t take basic care.
He’s the one who made the mistake if he wants it done again, he should do it himself. You set boundaries, and that’s totally fair.
Anyone saying you “refused to help” is twisting the story. You helped already you’re just not going to clean up his mess.
NTA. However, there is probably a temp file with the data. If it’s an Excel file, the fix described here works well: [https://www.reddit.com/r/excel/comments/159eyty/how\_to\_recover\_an\_excel\_file\_from\_a\_temp\_file/](https://www.reddit.com/r/excel/comments/159eyty/how_to_recover_an_excel_file_from_a_temp_file/)
A more extensive list of apps: [https://www.dropbox.com/resources/recover-desktop-files](https://www.dropbox.com/resources/recover-desktop-files)
Pass this to them and let them get on with learning how to recover work or retype it. They’ll not forget to save again.
Also, if the school offers any kind of online drive for backing up work, FOR FUCK’S SAKE, USE IT!
Ah, yes the old uni “group” projection.
>Everyone at university is smarter than I am, except the 3 other people in my group project.
NTA but do you trust him to get the work done, and done correctly?
Saving a file is very basic, but also why not use Google Docs if you can, so you both have access and saving is automatic.
NTA
In today’s episode of “Why I Hate Group Projects”…
NTA, he should’ve been saving it regularly or having auto save already on. And it’s insanely insulting that he’s already twisting your words.
NTA. He screwed it up, he needs to fix it. Although, that?
>He later told classmates that I refused to help him after a mistake.
That’s technically correct. You might want to clarify the mistake he made with your classmates if you care about their opinion.
NTA, but are you prepared to accept whatever replacement work he does for ur grade? If not, I’d suck it up and do the work again, maybe in tandem on another laptop so there’s a backup.
Hey. If it isn’t too late, type “Run” into your search bar and type %appdata%
Then find the temporary folder for microsoft files. There may be a copy of the document in there, even if it wasn’t manually saved.
I have recovered files like this on more than one occasion.
If you have a mac, idk, gl.
Anyway nta.
Oh wow, really? I didn’t know that! I’m definitely going to try that. Thank you so much for the tip!
Here’s the issue: you are not the AH but if this is for a grade why are you giving up oversight to someone who doesn’t know how to save, or seems to have disabled their recovery systems for files? I know it’s a pain in the butt and an unfortunate use of your time, but the likely outcome is this guy’s going to do a sloppy job out of spite or frustration or lack of time, and you are going to eat the grade. I don’t think your professor is going to care that the work was lost or necessarily agree that he did it and give you a higher grade just because you say you did the work. I went to college in the early days of computers, and this kind of thing happened a few times. It is really annoying, but after you get through the irritation and frustration, just do it again.
Yes, your lab partner is definitely an AH for losing the work after you specifically asked him about it. However, it’s a joint project and you both need to redo the work. If he can’t be trusted to save the data, how can you trust him to read/collect the data properly. Do you really want his grade? Yes, I agree it sucks for you, but sometimes life happens. I think if you asked your professor you’d get the same answer.
While you’re NTA for refusing, it’s a bad idea for your own sake.
NTA, but it’s your grade. It doesn’t matter who the AH is and this is a situation not worth taking a moral high ground on. Just get it done together and never partner up with him again.
NTA – but how you’re not collaborating out of a cloud-based file in 2025 is beyond comprehension.
NTA inform your teacher so it doesn’t come back on you.