How to See Edit History for Cells in Google Sheets?

“Edits” are not the dead end of one’s story; edits can be tracked down within one document and even restored. It’s not a new feature at all. Google applications are created for smart work and efficient collaboration, where editing history is a must-have option.

In other words, editing history in spreadsheets is like having a superpower that lets you go back in time and see every change made to a cell. It's a handy feature that allows you to track and review the modifications made to your spreadsheet.

Thus, if you are interested in obtaining new super powerful knowledge for your work or just for personal development, let’s go further.

If you have ever worked on a shared spreadsheet and wondered who made that mysterious change or whether someone accidentally deleted important data, it’s your time to find the truth!

Thus, we will open a spreadsheet that was crafted for our website TheGoodocs.com which offers hundreds of useful templates in Google Sheets (trackers, budgets, timesheets, calculators, invoices, roadmaps, and more), make some changes, and get back to the edit history.  

Step 1. Locating the edit history feature

Accessing the edit history feature is as easy as a few clicks.

Select the cell you want to check the history. Now right-click and check the vertical menu. The newest version of Google Sheets offers the right-away access called Show Edit History.

Step 2.  Edit history view mode

After you have clicked the Edit History tab, you will see a pop-up window showing the current revision - the one you see in the cell right now.

To see the history press on Previous edit.

Now you see that this cell earlier contained figure “10”. You also can view who made the revision and at what time and date.

Now click on the side to remove the pop-up window.

Apart from finding lost information, an error, or checking previous data within one cell, sometimes it may be more convenient to recheck the editing history for the whole document. Thus, let’s see!

Step 1. Accessing the History feature

Simply go to the File menu, and select Version history.

From there, click on See version history to unleash the magic of editing time travel.

Step 2. Navigating the editing interface

Once you're in the edit history interface, you'll be greeted with a chronological timeline of changes. Each entry shows who made the edit, when it was made, and the specific cells that were modified.

You can click on any entry to view the old and new values side-by-side, making it an easy job to track any modifications.

If you click the first editing history, you can see the primary document appears. Of course, if the document has multiple complicated edits, you may choose to Restore this version.

Before you do so, you will see the popup window, where you need to confirm restoring action.

That was a simple guide, as we didn’t want to bring complexity into this tutorial. You can try it out on your document with previous edits and see how it works.

If you are the sole owner of the document, you don’t have to doubt your information credibility. What you may be worried about is an accidental error or mistype.

In case you do work in a team and share the same document, you may have reason to double-check the information. At any rate, the editing history proves to bring more effectiveness in overall data management and counts for the following benefits:

·         Ensuring data accuracy and accountability

By viewing the edit history, you can catch any accidental or malicious changes to your spreadsheet. No more blaming ghosts for those mysterious alterations. You'll have the power to hold yourself and others accountable, ensuring the accuracy of your data.

·         Tracking changes for collaboration purposes

In a collaborative environment, keeping track of changes is crucial. Viewing the edit history allows you to see who contributed what, making it easier to collaborate with your team and avoid version control nightmares. It's like having an invisible scribe documenting every edit.

We know you might be even more curious about working with documents in Google Sheets and gathered a few questions that common users may ask. 

Q1: Can I view the editing history across multiple collaborators?

A: Yes, you can view the editing history for cells in Google Sheets across multiple collaborators. The editing history tracks changes made by all users who have access to the document, providing a comprehensive record of edits.

Q2: Can I restore previous cell values from the editing history?

A: Absolutely! Google Sheets allows you to restore previous cell values from the editing history. By accessing the editing history interface, you can browse through the recorded changes and revert to any desired previous value with just a few clicks.

Q3: How long does the editing history in Google Sheets stay available?

A: The editing history in Google Sheets is available for a considerable period of time. While there is no specific time limit for how long the editing history is retained, Google Sheets generally maintains the edit records for a significant duration, allowing you to review and track changes made to your cells over an extended period.

Q4: Is the editing history feature available in all versions of Google Sheets?

A: Yes, the editing history feature is available in all versions of Google Sheets, including the web version and the mobile apps for iOS and Android. You can access and utilize the editing history feature regardless of the platform or device you are using to work with Google Sheets.

Hope this article was helpful and satisfying. Use the gained information to communicate and collaborate effectively with your team, as the editing history serves as a tool for transparency, accountability, and teamwork.

If you think it’s a valuable article, share it with your colleagues who work with spreadsheets, and probably, they can probably get more insights into effective document management from our Tips and Tutorials blog.

Make the most of useful free tools and free up more time for family, friends, and wellness. Stay healthy!