# See & restore earlier versions in Docs, Sheets & Slides

> Use version history to see who changed a Google Doc, Sheet or Slides file, restore an earlier version, or name a version to keep.
>
> Source: https://docs.officeniaga.com/docs-version-history/

Google Docs, Sheets and Slides keep a history of changes, so you can see who changed what and go back to an earlier version. The steps below are the same in all three apps.

## See earlier versions

You need Editor access to the file to see its history.

1. Open the document, spreadsheet or presentation.
2. Click **File** > **Version history** > **See version history**. You can also click the clock icon at the top right, which shows when the last edit was made.
3. The **Version history** panel opens on the right. Click a version to see it. Each person's changes are shown in their own colour while **Highlight changes** is ticked.
4. Click the arrow next to a version to see smaller versions grouped inside it.
5. To go back to the current version, click the back arrow at the top left.

In Google Sheets, unchanged rows are hidden to make changes easier to find. Click **Show unmodified rows** at the bottom right to see everything.

## Restore an earlier version

Restoring does not delete anything. The old version simply becomes the newest one.

1. Open **Version history** as above.
2. Click the version you want.
3. Click **Restore this version** at the top, then **Restore**.

To keep the old version as a separate file instead, click the three dots (**More actions**) next to it and choose **Make a copy**.

## Name an important version

Named versions are easy to find later, for example "Sent to client" or "Final for tender". Google does not merge them with other versions.

1. Click **File** > **Version history** > **Name current version**.
2. Type a name, such as "Sent to client", and press **Enter**.

To see only named versions, click **All versions** at the top of the panel and choose the named versions option. A document can have up to 40 named versions and a spreadsheet up to 15.

## See who changed a part of a file

For a quick check, you can see who changed one paragraph or one cell without opening the full history.

- **Google Docs**: select the text, right-click and choose **Show editors**. This needs Business Standard, Business Plus or an Enterprise plan. See our [plans](https://officeniaga.com/pricing/).
- **Google Sheets**: right-click a cell and choose **Show edit history**. Some changes, such as formatting or added rows, are not shown.

## Still stuck

WhatsApp our support team at [+60 16-916 3324](https://wa.me/60169163324).

## Common issues

### I cannot see Version history. Why?

You need Editor access to see earlier versions. If you can only view or comment, ask the owner to give you Editor access or to restore the version for you.

### Does restoring an old version delete the newer changes?

No. The version you restore becomes the newest version, and all the later ones stay in the list. You can switch back at any time.

### The file itself was deleted. Can version history bring it back?

No. Version history works inside a file that still exists. To get back a deleted file, look in the Drive Trash. See find & restore files in Google Drive (/drive-find-restore/).