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, or Slides.

  1. On your computer, open a document, spreadsheet, or presentation.
  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.

    View an earlier version

    1. On your computer, open a document, spreadsheet, or presentation.
    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, or presentation.
    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, or presentation.
    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, or presentation.
    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 Toggle on.
    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

    Note: 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.

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