View the version history of an item or file in a list or library

View version history in SharePoint Server 2016 or 2010

1. Navigate to the list or library that contains the item or file you want to explore.

2. Hover over the item or file for which you want to view the history, click the arrow that appears, and select Version History from the drop-down list.

   

   The Version History dialog box opens.

   Note: If you don't see the Version History command, your list or library might not be tracking versions. For more information, see the administrator or owner of your site.

   

View version history from within a Microsoft Office document

If you are working with a Microsoft Office document, such as a Word, Excel, orPowerPoint file, you can view version history from the app view rather than returning to the list or library to view the history.

The following example is from the Backstage view of a Microsoft PowerPoint file. It shows both a major and a minor version.

The next example is from a Microsoft Word file. Only major versions appear in this version history. This could mean that only major versions are enabled in the document library, or it could mean that you only have permission to view major versions, not minor ones.

1. Navigate to the document library on your site that contains the file you want to open.

2. Hover over the file name until you see the drop-down arrow and then click Edit in <application name>. In the above example, you would select Edit in Microsoft Word.

   Note: If your library requires you to check out files, or if you prefer to check out a file, you must check it out before you open it.

3. In the application, select the File tab to expose the Backstage view. The version history appears next to the Manage Versions button, as shown in the two examples above.

4. From the list, select the version you want to view. That version will open so you can view it.

   

   You can simply view the file or, while it's open, you can choose to make it your current version by clicking Restore in the yellow banner at the top of the file, or you can compare the selected version to the current version by clicking Compare.

   

5. Close the selected version when you're finished viewing it. A message box will ask if you want to save the file or not. You can either save it to your local drive or click Don’t Save.

6. To continue working in the file you originally opened, select one of the other tabs at the top of your document, such as Home.