How to Delete Version History in Google Docs

How to Delete Edit History on Google Docs – Ultimate Guide

Have you ever accidentally shared a Google Doc with a typo or embarrassing error that you wish you could erase from existence? Or perhaps you’ve collaborated with a group and want to tidy up the edit history before presenting the final version to your boss. Whatever the reason, here’s how to delete the edit History on Google Docs step by step:

  1. Open the Google document as shown below
Google Doc
Google Doc
  1. Click on File -> Version History -> See revision history as shown in the screenshot below. This will open a window displaying the revision history of the document.
in main menu, go to File -> Version History -> See version history
in main menu, go to File -> Version History -> See version history
  1. You should now see the revision history of your Google Doc, as shown below
Google Doc Version History
Google Doc Version History
  1. Click on the version you want to keep, click the ellipsis, and select “Make a copy” as shown in the screenshot below.
Make a copy of the version of the Google Doc you want
Make a copy of the version of the Google Doc you want
  1. A pop-up window will appear; give your new version history-less document and name and click the “Make a copy” button as shown below.
Give you version less document a name and click the "Make a copy" button
Give you version less document a name and click the “Make a copy” button
  1. Your new document will open up in a new tab. Go to File -> Version History -> See version history as shown in the screenshot below.
Go to File -> Version History -> See version history
Go to File -> Version History -> See version history
  1. You should now only see the current version of the document in the version history

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When Should You Delete Your Edit History?

There are several reasons why you might want to delete the revision history of a Google Doc. For example:

  • You might want to delete the revision history when the document is complete and you’re ready to share it with others. This can help to keep the document clean and uncluttered.
  • If the document contains sensitive or confidential information, you might want to delete the revision history to protect this information from being accessed by others.
  • Additionally, if the revision history of a document is very large, it can make it difficult to review or compare different versions of the document. In this case, you might want to delete the revision history to simplify the document and make it easier to work with.

While it may be best to delete your edit history in these situations, it is important to understand how to effectively Google docs revision history for the times you decide not to hit delete.

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How To Keep Track of Changes on a Google Doc

Tracking changes in your document can be a helpful way to keep track of edits and collaborate with others. However, it’s essential to use this feature responsibly to avoid confusion and maintain the integrity of your document.

When making changes to a document, it’s best to use the “Suggesting” mode rather than the “Editing” mode. This way, your changes will appear as suggestions that the document’s owner can accept or reject rather than being automatically applied.

Make Good Revisions and Comments

Be clear and concise in your comments and provide context for your suggested changes if necessary. If someone has left a comment or suggestion in your document, respond promptly to keep the collaboration process moving smoothly.

It’s essential to regularly review the changes made to your document, especially if you’re working with multiple people. This will help you stay up-to-date on the document’s progress and catch any mistakes or misunderstandings.

If you need to review changes made over an extended period, you can use the “Compare” feature in Google Docs to see a side-by-side comparison of different document versions. This can be especially helpful when working on a document with many contributors.

Conclusion

In conclusion, deleting the edit history of a Google Doc is a simple process that can be accomplished by following a few easy steps. There are several situations where it might be appropriate to delete the revision history of a Google Doc.

These include when the document is complete, when the document contains sensitive information, and when the revision history is too large. However, it’s essential to carefully consider whether deleting the revision history is the right decision for your situation, as this action is permanent and cannot be undone.

By understanding when, why, and how to delete the revision history, you can effectively manage your Google Docs and ensure that they are organized and up-to-date.

Sources

https://support.google.com/drive/answer/2409045?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DDesktop

https://www.techwalla.com/articles/how-to-delete-the-revision-history-in-google-docs

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