Onedrive previous versions

Yes, it is possible to revert an Excel file to a previous version after saving, through a few different methods. The main options are using Excel’s AutoRecover feature, reverting to an earlier version from OneDrive or SharePoint, or restoring from a manual backup copy of the file. We’ll explore each of these options in detail below.Use Excel’s AutoRecover FeatureEnable and Configure AutoRecoverRestore an AutoRecovered VersionRevert to an Earlier Version from OneDrive or SharePointRestore a Previous VersionRestore from a Manual BackupSteps to Restore from a BackupHow Excel Determines Recent Versions to RestoreThe AutoSave Feature in ExcelCan you Undo Saves in Other Programs?Best Practices for Versioning in ExcelPreventing Overwriting Original FilesHow Long are Versions Stored?Reverting When Multiple Users Edit FilesVersion Control Software OptionsConclusionUse Excel’s AutoRecover FeatureExcel’s AutoRecover feature automatically saves versions of a workbook as you work on it, allowing you to restore to a previous auto-saved version if needed. Here’s how it works:AutoRecover saves versions of your workbook every 10 minutes by default (you can adjust this interval). These versions are stored in a temporary folder.If Excel crashes or you close the file without saving, the next time you open the workbook you’ll be presented with an AutoRecover pane listing available auto-saved versions.You can browse the versions and click “Restore” to revert to the one you want.This allows you to roll back to a version up to 10 minutes earlier than your last manual save. The key is not to manually save after making changes you may want to undo – let AutoRecover save incremental versions automatically in the background.Enable and Configure AutoRecoverTo enable AutoRecover in Excel:Go to File > Options > Save.Check the box for “Save AutoRecover information every: [minutes]”.Set the number of minutes between saves (default is 10).You can also change the storage location for autorecovered files here. The default location is a temporary folder, but you can specify a custom folder if desired.Restore an AutoRecovered VersionWhen you open a workbook and AutoRecover versions are available, you’ll see an AutoRecover pane:To revert to an auto-saved version:Open the workbook in Excel.In the AutoRecover pane, click “Restore” next to the version you want.The workbook will open with that auto-saved version.The original manually saved version remains untouched, so you can always go back to it if needed. The auto-saved versions act as a temporary undo history.Revert to an Earlier Version from OneDrive or SharePointIf you have your Excel workbook saved to OneDrive or SharePoint, you can revert to earlier versions of the file through the online interface:OneDrive and SharePoint keep a history of all previous saved versions.You can browse previous versions and restore one if needed, without affecting the current version.Restore a Previous VersionTo revert to an earlier version from OneDrive or

Across platforms, but the concepts are fundamentally the same.Best Practices for Versioning in ExcelHere are some best practices to implement robust version control in Excel:Enable AutoRecover and set to save versions every 5-10 minutes.Store workbooks on OneDrive or SharePoint to utilize cloud backup versions.Manually back up critical files often, such as at major milestones.When making edits, save a newBackup file first in case you need to revert.Consider add-on version control tools for more advanced capabilities.Following these tips will minimize any data loss from accidental overwrites or saves. You’ll always have option to restore an earlier point-in-time version.Preventing Overwriting Original FilesWhen restoring previous versions, it’s important to prevent accidentally overwriting the current file. Here are some precautions to take:When restoring from AutoRecover or OneDrive, use “Restore” instead of “Overwrite” options.Give manual backups unique names or locations to avoid confusion.Open restored versions as read-only at first to prevent saving changes.Add “[Restored]” to the filenames of recovered versions to differentiate them.The key is having clear visual indicators that a file is a restored historical version, not the current one. This reduces the risks of mistakenly making changes to the wrong file.How Long are Versions Stored?Excel and OneDrive don’t store previous versions indefinitely – there are limits on retention:AutoRecover versions are cleared after closing the file.OneDrive retains versions for 30 days by default, up to the last 500 versions.SharePoint has configurable version limits, typically major versions for months/years.For long-term archiving, manual periodic backups may be needed. But for short-term reverting, AutoRecover and OneDrive versions should suffice in most cases.Reverting When Multiple Users Edit FilesCollaboration adds complexity when reverting Excel files:If multiple people edit the same shared file, version histories get intertwined.Reverting could undo not just your changes, but those of other people.Notify collaborators if you’ll be restoring an earlier version that affects them.To avoid issues, have a clear protocol in place for when and how shared files can be reverted. Communicate with collaborators so there are no surprises about lost work.Version Control Software OptionsFor teams or large projects, dedicated version control software may be helpful for Excel:SystemBenefitsGitRobust versioning and branching optionsSubversionCentralized control with numeric versionsMercurialDistributed model good for local changesThese provide change tracking, attribution, merging, and advanced version lifecycle management beyond built-in Excel options.ConclusionReverting to earlier versions of Excel files is certainly possible through AutoRecover, OneDrive backups, or manual file copies. Just be sure to exercise caution when restoring previous versions, to avoid accidentally overwriting current data.Implementing regular version control practices in Excel is a safeguard against data loss, especially for important or collaborative workbooks. But be mindful of the retention limits on different methods. For long-term archiving, supplementary manual backup copies may still be ideal.

Files in this example, but the steps are the same for all file types.Method 2:Recover Overwritten Files Using Previous VersionsWindows has a built-in feature called Previous Versions that I find incredibly useful for recovering overwritten files. It automatically creates copies of your files either when Windows makes a restore point or at regular intervals when File History is enabled.If there’s a recent Windows restore point or if you’ve enabled File History in the past, then you can follow these steps to recover your overwritten files:Locate your overwritten file or folder in Windows Explorer.Right-click it and select Restore previous versions.A window will appear showing available previous versions. I always click Open first to preview the version and make sure it’s the one I need.Once you’ve found the right version, click Restore To.Finally, choose a new location to save the restored file.Again, this method works only if File History is enabled on your Windows PC. You can check if it is by going to Settings > Update & Security > Backup.Method 3:Recover Overwritten Files from a Cloud BackupRecent versions of Windows come with Microsoft’s cloud backup service, OneDrive, included by default, so it’s no wonder that increasingly many users are discovering the benefits of automatically backing up files to the cloud.One such benefit is the ability to easily recover overwritten files thanks to OneDrive’s versioning capabilities, which keep track of all changes made to your files.To recover overwritten files from OneDrive, you need to do the following:Go to OneDrive.com and sign in with your Microsoft accountFind the overwritten file.Right-click the file and select Version history.Choose the version you want to recover from the list of previous versions.Method 4: Use Built-In Backup Features In Your ApplicationsMost modern applications like Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite, and AutoCAD include automatic backup features that create automatic backups of your work at regular intervals, so they can often be used to recover overwritten files in the same way as the Previous Versions feature and OneDrive can.While most apps enable their auto-save features by default, I always recommend checking the settings to make sure they’re active and configured