Find what's changed in a file

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You can see changes that have been made to a document in Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, or Vids.

1. On your computer, open a document, spreadsheet, presentation, or video.
2. At the top right, hover over Last edit to see who was the last person to update the file and when they last made changes.

Tip: If there is a blue dot on the Last edit icon, that means someone updated the file since you last viewed it.

Work with earlier versions of a file

Important:

• To browse earlier versions of a file, you need permission to edit that file.
• If you reach the version history limit in Google Vids, to continue your edits, make a new copy of your video. Learn about Google Vids storage, object & version history limits.

View an earlier version

1. On your computer, open a document, spreadsheet, presentation, or video.
2. Choose an option:
   • At the top, click File Version history See version history.
   • At the top right, click Last edit .
3. Choose the latest version. You can find who updated the file and their changes.
4. (Optional) If you want to:
   • Find grouped versions: In the right panel, click Expand .
   • Return to the original current version: At the top left, click Back .

Restore an earlier version

1. On your computer, open a document, spreadsheet, presentation, or video.
2. Choose an option:
   • At the top, click File Version history See version history.
   • At the top right, click Last edit .
3. In the right panel, choose an earlier version.
4. At the top, click Restore this version Restore.

Copy an earlier version

You can make a copy and edit earlier versions of a file.

1. On your computer, open a document, spreadsheet, presentation, or video.
2. Choose an option:
   • At the top, click File  Version history  See version history.
   • At the top right, click Last edit .
3. In the right panel, next to the version you want to copy, click More  Make a copy.
4. Enter a name for your copy.
5. Choose where to save the file.
   • To share the file with the same people, click Share it with the same people.
6. Click OK.

Create a named version

You can create a named version to track your version history and make sure your versions aren't merged.

1. On your computer, open a document, spreadsheet, presentation, or video.
2. Choose an option:
   • At the top, click File Version history See version history.
   • At the top right, click Last edit .
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 names versions per spreadsheet.
   • To only show named versions, turn on Only show named versions .

See who changed a part of a document in Google Docs

Important: This feature is available to only Google Workspace Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, and Education Plus customers.

1. On your computer, open a document at docs.google.com.
2. Select part of the document and right-click Show editors.

See who changed a specific cell in Google Sheets

1. On your computer, open a spreadsheet at sheets.google.com.
2. Right-click a cell Show edit history.

Tip: Some changes might not show up in the edit history. Some examples are:

• Added or deleted rows and columns
• Changes to the cell's format
• Changes made by formulas

Unable to see a previous version of your file?

The revisions for your file may occasionally be merged to save storage space.

Important: If you don't have permission to edit a file, you won't be able to see the version history.

 

Related resources

• Turn on notifications in a spreadsheet