If you are like me you create templates and graphic organizers to use with your students with the intention of making a copy before you use it. Unfortunately, sometimes I end up using my template when I meant to make a copy. Do not fret! Here is what I do when I wrote on my Google Docs template.
Version History in Google Workspace
Have you ever meticulously crafted the perfect Google Doc template, only to realize, with a sinking feeling, that you’ve just typed directly into it? We’ve all been there. It’s incredibly frustrating to have to go back, erase your work, and try to restore the template to its pristine, original form. But what if there was a way to safeguard your templates and ensure they remain untouched, no matter how many times you use them?
This is where the magic of version history and the power of Google Workspace come into play. Version history will restore your document, but what about the work you just accidentally did in the template document?
Why Version History is Your Best Friend
Imagine version history as a time machine for your documents, allowing you to revisit past versions and restore them with a single click. This feature automatically saves every change you make, creating a detailed record of your document’s evolution.
Here’s how it works:
- Access Version History: In any Google Doc, Sheet, or Slide, go to “File” and then select “Version history.”
- View Previous Versions: A sidebar will appear, displaying a list of saved versions with timestamps. Click on any version to view it.
- Restore a Version: If you want to revert to an earlier version, simply click “Restore this version.”
Go to the File menu and select “Version history.” From the options select “Name current version.”
Tip: Name Your Template
To make it easier to return your document to the template, name the template. When in version history, double click on the timestamp to set the name to “Template.”
Manage Your Updates
If you have unfortunately written on your Google Docs template you can extract these updates. After returning the document to it’s template form, return to the version history. Use the 3 dots on the version history to select “Make a copy.” This will extract your accidental edits to a new document, just as you had intended.
