Restore a previous version of an item or file in SharePoint
Applies ToExcel for Microsoft 365 Word for Microsoft 365 PowerPoint for Microsoft 365 Excel 2021 Word 2021 PowerPoint 2021 SharePoint Server Subscription Edition Excel 2019 Word 2019 PowerPoint 2019 SharePoint Server 2019 Excel 2016 Word 2016 PowerPoint 2016 SharePoint Server 2016 Excel 2013 Word 2013 PowerPoint 2013 SharePoint Server 2013 Enterprise SharePoint in Microsoft 365 SharePoint Server 2010 SharePoint in Microsoft 365 Small Business

If your SharePoint lists or libraries are set to track versions, you can restore a previous version of a list item or file. To learn how you can delete a version, all versions, or just minor versions of an item or file if your list or library is configured for it, see Delete a previous version on an item or file in SharePoint.

For info about turning versioning on, see Turn on version history in SharePoint. For info about restoring SharePoint files stored in OneDrive, see Restore a previous version of a file in OneDrive.

Restore a previous version in SharePoint

  1. Open the list or library with the item or document that you want to view history.

  2. Next to the item for which you want to view history, select the ... (ellipses).

  3. Select Version history.

    Document library right click menu with version history highlighted

    If you don't see Version history, select More, and then select Version history.

  4. In the Version history dialog, hover your mouse over the date link on an earlier version. To show the menu, select the down arrow.

    Version dropdown dialog button
  5. In the menu, select Restore.

    Version item menu
  6. To restore your selected version as the current version, select OK.

    Version Restore confirm dialog box with OK selected

    SharePoint doesn't remove the earlier version you just restored. It creates a copy and makes it the latest version.

  7. When you're done, select the X in the upper right corner of the Version history window to close it.

Turn on version history in SharePoint

Version History is turned on by default in SharePoint, but if you don't see the Version History command, it might be turned off. Depending on how your admin has set up SharePoint, you might be able to turn on list or library versioning.

For info about SharePoint versioning settings, see Enable and configure versioning for a list or library.

Also, see How versioning works in lists and libraries.

Not sure which version you have? See Which version of SharePoint am I using?

Need more help?

Want more options?

Explore subscription benefits, browse training courses, learn how to secure your device, and more.

Communities help you ask and answer questions, give feedback, and hear from experts with rich knowledge.