Explore the best ways to use Google Version History.

Google Version History

Review Changes Made to Your Document Feature Description

Dynamic updates and real-time editing are what make Google Suite applications so useful for dynamic documents and collaboration. Being able to access, review, and even revert changes that have been made to a document can be crucial to efficiency and productivity. Google Docs Version History allows users to catch up on changes and make sure they know what’s different about the latest edition of their document.

Compare earlier versions of a file:

  1. Open a document, spreadsheet, or presentation.
  2. At the top, click File > Version history > See version history.
  3. Choose the latest version. You can find who updated the file and their changes.

    Optional:

    • To find grouped versions: In the right panel, click Expand ▼.
    • To return to the original current version, at the top left, click Back 🠈.

    Please note: To browse a document’s version history, you need permission to edit.

     

    Restore an earlier version:

    1. Open your document, spreadsheet, or presentation.
    2. At the top, click File > Version history > See version history.

     

    3. In the right panel, choose an earlier version.

    4. At the top, click Restore this version > Restore.

     

    Create a named version:

    You can create a named version to track your version history and to differentiate between various drafts.  

    1. Open a document, spreadsheet, or presentation.
    2. At the top, click File > Version history > See version history.
    3. Choose a previous version. You can find who updated the file and their changes.
    4. Click More ⠇ > Name this version.
    • You can add up to 40 named versions per document. 
    • You can add up to 15 named versions per spreadsheet. 
    • To only show named versions, select Named versions from the top dropdown.

     

    Additional Resources: 

    Technology Support for Google Products

    EdTech offers consultations on using Google products. For more information or to schedule a one-on-one consultation, email the EdTech team via AskEdTech@bu.edu.