How to Check Edit History in Google Sheet

Google Sheets are useful for storing and updating valuable information. But what if you like the earlier version of the program more? Can you see the edit history?

Luckily, there’s a feature enabled by default which allows you to see all the changes and restore the document to the version you liked better. Moreover, you can see the specific cell changes made by different collaborators. Keep reading to find out how it’s done.

Check the Edit History of a Cell

If many collaborators use Google Sheets, it means new information is added regularly. All collaborators should be familiar with the edits and aware of all updates.

Fortunately, there’s a way to see the edit history of cells in Google Sheets. Here’s how to do it:

1. Right click on the cell you need.
   
2. From the dropdown menu, click on “Show edit history”.
   
3. A dialogue box will show you all edits.
   

At the top of the dialogue box, you’ll see arrow keys which you can click to move between edits. You’ll be able to see the name of the collaborator who made the edits, the timestamp of the edit, and the previous value of the edit.

Note that added or deleted rows and columns, or any changes to the cell’s format, won’t be visible in the edit history.

Check the Edit History Using the Menu

Checking the edit history using the menu is quite simple. Here’s what you need to do:

1. First, you need to have the file opened.
   
2. Select “File” in the upper left corner of the document.
   
3. From the dropdown menu choose “Version history”.
   
   Click on “See version history”.
   
   
4. Once you do that, you’ll see the bar opened on the right side of the document.
   

The bar allows you to see all the changes made to the document.

For users’ convenience, changes are grouped into time periods. Therefore, you can navigate to the date you want to check. By clicking to expand, you’ll see all edits done on that particular date. If you click on the edited version, it’ll appear in your Google Sheet. In turn, you can see how that sheet looks with that particular editing.

Note: Ticking the “Show changes” at the bottom of the bar highlights cells where changes were made in the earlier version. It’s useful to have this option as it allows you to always keep track of new edits.

Check the Edit History Using the Keyboard

Alternatively, we can check the history edits using the keyboard. The combination of controls is different for Windows and Mac users. If you’re using Windows, hold simultaneously Ctrl + Alt + Shift + H. Mac users should hold Cmd + Alt + Shift + H.

Check the Edit History by Naming the Versions

When you create a sheet, it’ll be named, by default, after the time stamp. When working with a lot of other people, it can be bothersome to go through the dates to find what you need. Google Sheet’s added a function that allows you to name each version and more easily control your or your colleagues’ edits.

You can name the current version by navigating to “File” and selecting “Version history”. Here you’ll see the option to “Name current version”. By choosing the relevant name for the document, you save yourself and your colleagues from having to go through sheet versions named by dates and choosing the right one.

Google Spreadsheet allows you to add up to 15 named versions.

Check the Edit History by Allowing Notifications

When edits are made to the sheet, the built-in feature “Notification rules” can send you an email right away to inform you of this. You can decide whether you want to receive emails every time someone edits something, or maybe at the end of the day when you can see all the changes.

Follow these steps:

1. Open the sheet and navigate to “Tools”.
   
2. Scroll down and select “Notification rules”.
   
3. Then Click on “Any changes are made” and choose when you want to get an email.
   
4. Finally, click “Save”.
   

There you go. This way you’ll always be informed about the edits, without having to open the sheet and checking for yourself.

Check the Edit History by Enabling Conditional Formatting

When new information’s added, it can be useful to see that in different color or size. Google Sheet has a function “Conditional formatting” which gives you a visual representation of the added data. To apply conditional formatting, follow these steps:

1. Select the cells where you’d like to apply “Conditional formatting”.
   
2. Click “Format” and navigate to “Conditional Formatting”.
   
3. A dropdown menu will open with different options. Look for “Format Rules” and under “Format cells if…” select “Is not empty”.
   
4. Under “Formatting style” choose the color you want for your cells.
   
5. Click “Done”.
   

Find a Solution That Works for You

There are different ways to track edits being done to the Google Sheet different collaborators are using. Now you shouldn’t have any problems doing so. Keeping up with all the changes can be difficult, so make sure you find a solution that works for you.

How do you keep track of all changes done to Google Sheets? Do you find these tips useful? Share your experiences with the community in the comments section below.