Have you ever worked hard on a Word document only to realize you’ve made a mistake and need to go back to a previous version? Don’t panic! It’s possible to recover a previous version of a Word document, and it’s easier than you might think. Just follow these steps and you’ll have your document back in no time.
Step by Step Tutorial: Recover Previous Version of Word Document
Before we dive into the steps, let’s understand what we’re trying to achieve. Recovering a previous version of a Word document means going back to an earlier copy of the document before changes were made. This can be a lifesaver if you’ve accidentally deleted important information or want to see what the document looked like at an earlier stage.
Step 1: Open Word Document
Open the Word document you want to recover a previous version of.
Opening the document is the first step in the process. Make sure you have the right document open and that it’s the one you want to recover a previous version of.
Step 2: Click on ‘File’
Click on ‘File’ in the top left corner of the Word document.
The ‘File’ tab is where you’ll find all the document management options, including the option to recover previous versions.
Step 3: Select ‘Info’
Select ‘Info’ from the options available under ‘File’.
‘Info’ is where you’ll find document-specific options, such as protection settings and version history.
Step 4: Click on ‘Manage Document’
Click on ‘Manage Document’ to reveal a dropdown menu with more options.
‘Manage Document’ is where you’ll find the option to recover previous versions of the document.
Step 5: Choose ‘Recover Unsaved Documents’ or ‘Version History’
Choose ‘Recover Unsaved Documents’ if you haven’t saved the document or ‘Version History’ if you have saved it but want to go back to an earlier version.
‘Recover Unsaved Documents’ will show you a list of documents that were closed without being saved. ‘Version History’ will show you a list of saved versions of the document.
After completing these steps, the previous version of your Word document will be recovered. You’ll be able to see the document as it was before changes were made, and you can then choose to save this version or continue working on it.
Tips: Recover Previous Version of Word Document
- Always save your Word document regularly to ensure you have a recent version to go back to if needed.
- Enable the ‘AutoSave’ feature if you’re working on a document stored on OneDrive or SharePoint to automatically save changes.
- Check the ‘Recover Unsaved Documents’ folder if you accidentally close a document without saving.
- Use ‘Version History’ to compare different versions of a document and see the changes made over time.
- Remember that recovering a previous version will overwrite the current version, so make sure you’re okay with losing any recent changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I can’t find the ‘Version History’ option?
If you can’t find the ‘Version History’ option, it may be because you’re not using Word 2010 or later, or the document isn’t stored on OneDrive or SharePoint.
Can I recover a previous version of a Word document if I haven’t saved it at all?
Yes, you can use the ‘Recover Unsaved Documents’ option to find documents that were closed without being saved.
Will recovering a previous version overwrite my current document?
Yes, recovering a previous version will replace the current version of the document, so be sure you want to go back to the previous version before proceeding.
How far back can I recover previous versions of a Word document?
The number of previous versions available will depend on how often you save the document and if you have ‘AutoSave’ enabled.
Can I recover a previous version of a Word document on a Mac?
Yes, the steps are similar on a Mac, but the options may be in slightly different locations.
Summary
- Open Word Document
- Click on ‘File’
- Select ‘Info’
- Click on ‘Manage Document’
- Choose ‘Recover Unsaved Documents’ or ‘Version History’
Conclusion
Recovering a previous version of a Word document doesn’t have to be a daunting task. With the simple steps outlined in this article, you can quickly and easily go back to an earlier version of your document, saving you from potential headaches and heartaches. Whether you’ve accidentally deleted something important or just want to see how your document has evolved, the ‘Version History’ and ‘Recover Unsaved Documents’ features are there to help you out. So next time you find yourself in a bind, remember these tips and tricks to recover your precious work. And don’t forget to save regularly – it’s the best way to protect your documents and ensure you can always recover a previous version when needed.
Matthew Simpson has been creating online tutorial for computers and smartphones since 2010. His work has been read millions of times and helped people to solve a number of various tech problems. His specialties include Windows, iPhones, and Google apps.