Numbers reverted a spreadsheet to an old version

Question

I have a fairly large and complex spreadsheet on numbers. For some dumb reason, it defaults to saving my files on iCloud, which, of course, means you don't have much control over it.
Numbers generally stays open on my computer, because I use this large spreadsheet for modeling business pro-formas. I generally save it after every time I update, but sometimes I forget.
I created Version 7 of my spreadsheet on 6 June 2014. Saved it to iCloud and to my desktop. However, any changes I made since 6 June are saved to the cloud.
Today, when I went to my spreadsheet, it was mysteriously reverted back to the 6 June version, losing nearly 3 weeks of data, formulas, etc. So I try to open up the file from iCloud, and there is my spreadsheet's exact name, but there's a folder and in it are jpeg files, and other unreadable files. I can't open it with Numbers. Can't do anything.
So, I go to Time Machine. Well, of course Time Machine doesn't store iCloud stuff, so I can't find any of the changed files for 3 weeks.
This is ridiculous on so many levels. What corrupted my files on iCloud so that I cannot use them? Maybe I can, and someone just needs to explain it to me. And why can't I have a time machine of iCloud? Cause, I need to go back and get this file.
So, 3 weeks of work down the drain. Can't find anything. And I get paid a ridiculous amount per hour to do this. But that's down the toilet.
Any suggestions? Maybe go back to Microsoft, who despite Excel's annoyances, I know when I save a file there it doesn't go missing.
This is the most ridiculous thing I've ever gone through with Apple.

Answer 1

SGIII wrote:
Rather less seamless than it should be, or than the better services it competes with.
Hi Csound1,
I use other cloud services too, and some are better than iCloud for some purposes.  But name one,  just one, that is more seamless than iCloud in syncing Numbers documents between Numbers on the Mac and Numbers for iOS, not to mention sharing and accessing Numbers documents in a browser via Numbers for iCloud.  And beware of the mess other cloud services such as SugarSync sometimes make of the new Numbers 3 document format. The new format, with its protocol buffers and things, works really well in syncing via iCloud.  In my experience it truly is seamless.  And when trouble occasionally strikes, as can happen with any setup, there's Time Machine!
OrangeMarlin, I'm glad you found a solution to your problem and got your work back.  Thanks for the green tick!
SG
I don't know about most of Mac buyers, but I know I am locked into the Apple ecosystem for one reason: it's seamless, easy-to-use, and I don't have to worry about stuff. My major disaster went from major to nearly insignificant mainly because Apple does allow me to easily back up everything without stress. I use my Time Machine to recover stuff maybe once or twice a year, but I'm glad it's there.
There might be some advantages to other cloud systems, but they get increasingly more complex. I used to use Amazon's cloud, but it takes a rocket scientist to use it. I am a scientist, but not with rockets.
Dropbox, the popular one for a lot of people, requires apps, it isn't seamless, and I trust them less than Apple.
I'm just not in favor of making my computer experience more complicated. If I wanted that, I'd switch to Windows, or become a LINUX geek. I want my computer to simply work, and allow me to make money. My iMac does that. iCloud does that. etc. etc.
Still not sure if I'm a fan of my iPad, even after 3 years of different models. But that's another conversation.