Osman Goni Ridwan
While multiple contributors use a workbook, you may need to see the edit history in Excel. So, one can see who changes or modifies the data in that Excel file. Tracking changes in Excel is significant sometimes. But the latest version of Excel, which we know as Office 365, has removed the Track Changes feature. But you can track the Edit History in the online version of Excel. In this article, I will show you how to see edit history in Excel.
Excel Version History and Track Changes Feature
- Excel removed ‘Track Changes’ feature in Office 365 version
In the older version of Excel, there was an option named Track Changes using a Shared Workbook. Here users can see the changes made by others. But in the latest updates, Excel has removed it and added another system.
- Excel has introduced ‘Version History’ in Office 365
In Excel 365 version, it has introduced an option “Version History”, where after a certain amount of edits a new version is saved. And from here you can go back to that version. But it will be enabled only if you save the file in Onedrive.
- Excel Online has the feature ‘Show Changes’
When the main user shares a link with another user, and the second person opens the file through the link in a browser then he can see the Excel Online version. In this version, you will an option named “Show Changes” and through this, the user can track all the edits made in this file from that time.
- ‘Show changes’ feature won’t allow undoing the change
In the Show Changes window, you only can see the edit history made by all contributors but you can’t undo them.
- All the Changes are not Tracked in Excel
When you change or modify any data or formula or input new data, these will be tracked in the history of the “Show Changes” window. But changes like formatting, layouts, etc will not list in the history.
Steps to See History of Edit in Excel Online
In Excel, there is no edit history option for the offline workbooks. But there is an option when you save the workbook in the Onedrive and opened in the browser with Excel Online version. So, I am showing step by steps here to see Edit History in Excel.
Step 1: Save the Workbook in Onedrive in Excel
At first, you have to save the file in Onedrive. Follow The steps below:
- Click on the Autosave option in the top-left corner of the file, and turn it on.
- Then it asks you to select the one from the available one drive options if you have logged in it otherwise, you have to log in to your Onedrive.
- Then, give a name to the file.
- Alternatively, you can save the file also from the “File > Save As” option
- After saving in the Onedrive, you will see that the Save button is changed and there is created a drop-down option besides the name of the workbook.
Read More: How to Edit Drop Down List in Excel Macro (4 Easy Methods)
Step 2: Open Version History
To see the latest edit history, you have to go to the Version Story option which is only available in the Office 365 version. Follow the steps below:
- Click on the drop-down arrow beside the name of the workbook.
- Then, you will see a window. Here you can edit the name of the workbook.
- Click on the Version History option to open it.
Step 3: Version History Tab
After clicking on the “Version History” option, you will see a window will open on the right side of the workbook.
- Here, you will see a list of workbooks mentioning the time.
- You can click on the “Open Version” option to see that workbook.
- And in that workbook, you will find an option named Restore, you can use this option to go back to that workbook.
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So, now you already have saved the file in Onedrive. As I have mentioned before, you can see edit history only in the Excel Online version in the browser. So, to open the Excel file in the online version, you have to make a link to it and send it to the other contributors and they will open the link and see the the file in Excel Online version.
To send the link to the contributors using mail follow the steps below:
- Click on the Share button in the top-right corner of the workbook.
- Then a window will appear. Type the contributors’ mail in the box.
- Finally, click the Send button.
Alternatively, you can just copy the link and send it to the contributors via any medium like Facebook, mail, Whatsapp, or any networking platform.
- To copy the link on the clipboard, just click on the Copy button in the window.
- Alternatively, you can open the Excel file from the Excel menu in the Onedrive.
Step 5: Open Excel File in Excel Online
Using this link you or any other contributors can open the workbook in the Excel Online version in any browser. To do this, just paste the link into the address bar of the browser and click Enter. Or you can log in to your Onedrive and open the file.
Step 6: See Edit History
Now, in the Excel Online version in the browser, you can see the edit history made by any users of that workbook.
- First, go to the Review tab in the top ribbon.
- And, click on the Show Changes option.
- Then, you will see that a window will appear on the right side of the Workbook named Changes
Thus, you can see the history of editing in Excel. When any contributor changes anything or modifies anything or adds any data, you can see it from this list. But you can’t undo them.
Read More: How to Enable Editing in Excel (5 Easy Ways)
Things to Remember
- You must have to save the file in Onedrive to see the history of the edit.
- You can go back to any version of the edit from the Version History option.
- In Excel Online version, you can see the edit history in the list only but you can’t undo the changes.
- All edits are not listed in the Changes list. Especially, the format works are not listed. But the changes in data, formula, etc are listed.
Conclusion
In this article, you have found how to see the edit history in Excel. You should try these yourself as you may need anytime to see the edit history to check the changes or modifications made by other users. I hope you found this article helpful. You can visit our website ExcelDemy to learn more Excel-related content. Please, drop comments, suggestions, or queries if you have any in the comment section below.
