← Years 7–8 Data & Information

Using version history

A list of earlier saved versions of a shared file. It shows who changed what and when, so you can name a version or restore an older one.

Part of: 7-8 Digital Technologies: Sharing online and managing projects — Module 3, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 5–6 — Digital Footprints — Module 49

Understanding Using version history in Years 7–8 Data & Information

What it does: Naming a version labels it in the version history so it is easy to spot among many saved versions. Version history shows each person's edits, often with their name or a colour, so you can see who changed what. A clear version name helps you and your team spot an important version quickly when you want to go back to it. Restoring a version brings back the older copy without deleting the file or losing the history of changes.

Common mistakes: The Share button only changes who can open the file. To see earlier saved versions you click Version history. A version name goes in the name box for that version. A comment is a separate feature and does not name the version.

Class: _____________________  ·  Name: _____________________  ·  Date: _________

Free printable worksheet with full answer key — or add this module to a class and your students practise it interactively.

🖨 Print worksheet + answer key Add Using version history to a class →

This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 87–99) and word search (Modules 87–124).

Take this worksheet further — free with Cloodit

Each concept is reinforced from every angle — learned, then applied, then tested.

Learning
Duo
Your friend accidentally deleted half of your group's shared presentation. What can you use to get the old slides back?
Version history, to restore an earlier versionStart again and retype everything from memory
Matches
Someone deleted my work, so I will type it all again from scratch.
↓
Retyping wastes time because version history already keeps earlier versions. Open version history and restore the version from before the work was deleted.
Applying
Meanings
Term
Version history
Meaning
A list of earlier saved versions of a shared file. It shows who changed what and when, so you can name a version or restore an older one.
Practice
File > Version history > See version history
Testing
Gaps
File > > See version history
Check Answer
Spots
1Open the File menu
2Click Share

Cloodit turns curriculum-aligned coding content into journeys students work through one biome at a time.

The 'Arctic Fox' badge — Tundra Tracker, one of Cloodit's 106 collectible badges
Students earn collectable badges

Over 100 of them, across seven natural biomes.

Study Buddy
Students build a real study resource

Turns their work into revision material ready for Flash Cards and Exam study.

Diamond Dash — one of Cloodit's live, competitive Sprint games
Students lock in with Sprints

Live, competitive practice for the start of the lesson or a teacher-led lesson finisher.

A Cloodit certificate of achievement, ready to personalise and print
Custom printable certificates

Honour your top performers, or encourage a student who's trying hard — ready to print in seconds.

Add to class →

Quick Questions

1. Your friend accidentally deleted half of your group's shared presentation. What can you use to get the old slides back?
A. Start again and retype everything from memory
B. Version history, to restore an earlier version ✓
Version history keeps earlier saved versions of a shared file, so you can restore one from before the mistake happened.
2. Which of these does version history show you?
A. Who changed the file and when ✓
B. Who has the fastest internet connection
Version history lists earlier versions and shows who made each change and when they made it.
3. True or false: Version history lets you see each person's edits in a shared file.
A. False
B. True ✓
Each person's edits are usually shown with their name, often in a different colour, so you can see who did what.
4. Why might you name a version, such as 'Draft 1 - before teacher feedback'?
A. So you can easily find that version again later ✓
B. So the file uses less storage space
A clear version name helps you and your team spot an important version quickly when you want to go back to it.
5. Which version name is more helpful in version history?
A. Final plan - approved by group ✓
B. Version 2 copy new new
A good version name describes what the version is. Vague names make it hard to know which one to restore.

Match the Pairs

Version history → A list of earlier saved versions of a shared file that shows who changed what and when
Restore this version → Bring back an older saved version of the file so it becomes the current one
Give an important saved version a clear name so your team can find it later → Name this version: Final draft v1
See which team member made each edit by looking at colours or names beside each change → Show changes - Mia (blue), Sam (green)
Someone deleted my work, so I will type it all again from scratch. → Retyping wastes time because version history already keeps earlier versions. Open version history and restore the version from before the work was deleted.
Version history: Version 1, Version 2, Version 3, Version 4 (no names or times) → Leaving versions unnamed makes it hard to tell them apart. Name key versions, such as 'Before teacher feedback', and check the names and times of editors.

Key Term

Version history
A list of earlier saved versions of a shared file. It shows who changed what and when, so you can name a version or restore an older one.

Fill in the Blanks

1. File > Version history > See version history
Hint: Type the name of the feature in the File menu that lists earlier saved versions
2. Version history > Name this version
Hint: Type the action word that gives a saved version a label so you can find it later
3. Pick an older version > Restore this version
Hint: Type the action that brings an earlier version back as the current file
4. Each editor's edits show in their own colour
Hint: Type what differs for each person so you can see who made which edits
5. History shows who changed what and when
Hint: Type the word for the detail, besides who and what, that version history records about each change

Spot the Error

Question 1
A Open the File menu
B Click Share
C Select an older version
D Click Restore this version
Line B — The Share button only changes who can open the file. To see earlier saved versions you click Version history.
Question 2
A Open Version history
B Click Name current version
C Type the name in a comment
D Press Enter to save the name
Line C — A version name goes in the name box for that version. A comment is a separate feature and does not name the version.
Question 3
A Open Version history
B Turn on Show changes
C Every editor has same colour
D Match colour to the name
Line C — Each person gets their own colour so you can tell whose edits are whose. It should say each editor has a colour.
Question 4
A Open Version history
B Click an older version
C Check the edits in the preview
D Click Name this version
Line D — Naming a version does not bring it back. To go back to the older version you click Restore this version.
Question 5
A Sam edits the shared essay
B Sam must save each version
C Sam opens Version history
D Sam sees who changed what
Line B — The file saves versions automatically, so Sam does not have to save each one by hand. Line 2 should say the file saves versions by itself.

Student with a class code? Join your class →