How do I retrieve a previous version of a word document - Microsoft Community

How do I retrieve a previous version of a word document

I had written 12 pages of extremely important text of a word doc. Suddenly all the text scrolled off the pages to leave a blank page. In my panic I pressed save thinking I was going to save my work but in actual fact I saved the blank page. I have now lost all my work. I can access the doc but I cannot revert back to a previous save. I have managed to open the retrieved post but cannot see anything saying previous versions. Please can you help.

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Just to clarify from my last post, I meant that I opened 'properties' but cannot see any tab that tefers to previous versions. Where is it in properties. Can anyone help. I'm feeling desperate!

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Hello Maggie, * I am a Microsoft user like you, providing solutions to community members; I am NOT a Microsoft employee. The "Previous Versions" tab you're looking for might not be available in the Properties menu if File History isn't enabled on your computer. Here's how to check and potentially recover your document: 1. Check File History: Open File Explorer and navigate to the folder where your Word document is saved. Right-click on the document and select "Properties". If you see a "Previous Versions" tab: This means File History is enabled and might have saved an earlier version of your document. Click on the "Previous Versions" tab. You should see a list of available versions dated and timed. These are backups created by File History. Find a version from before you accidentally saved the blank page. Select the desired version and click "Restore" to get your work back. If there's no "Previous Versions" tab: Recover Unsaved Documents: Microsoft Word has a feature that can help you recover unsaved documents. Here's how to try it: Open Word. Click on "File" then "Info". Look under Manage Document > Manage Unsaved Documents and open the files there to see if any of them is the document you were working on before you accidentally saved the blank page. If it isn't there, then sorry, but your file is probably gone. - Stephen N.

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If you still have the document open, use the Undo facility (CTRL+z)

Hope this helps,
Doug Robbins - MVP Office Apps & Services (Word)
dougrobbinsmvp@gmail.com
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Thanks Doug

That's very kind of you.

I'd read about that on line And unfortunately, even though I can the latest version of the document, I've tried both CNTL Z and 'undo' about 25 times and I'm no joy.

Do upgraded versions of Microsoft word make any difference to the functions. I ask only because I can't find previous versions in Manager or in the informatiin section on word. These facilities aren't there.

Surely though, even if I upgraded, what would happen to all my word documents then?

Wish you could sit and sort this out, because I'm blowed if I can.

M

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Hello Maggie, undo doesn't work once you've closed and reopened Word. Also, upgrading or downgrading doesn't bring files back. I already explained above that you're not seeing the "Previous Versions" tab in properties because you didn't turn on File History. You can read more about file history here (https://www.computerworld.com/article/1621193/how-to-use-file-history-windows-10-windows-11.html). Note: This is a non-Microsoft website. The page appears to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the site that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the site before you decide to download and install it. So, in summary, if you can't find your file using the method I explained earlier, then it's almost certainly gone. - Stephen N.

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Whenever I see instructions in Microsoft for recovering an earlier version of a document it instructs us to Click on "File" then "Info". Look under Manage Document.

Where do I find this? I don't even HAVE a File tab - I know I can find files under the Office button, but then I can't find "Info" or "Manage Document" on any of the tabs.

Vicki

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Whenever I see instructions in Microsoft for recovering an earlier version of a document it instructs us to Click on "File" then "Info". Look under Manage Document.

Where do I find this? I don't even HAVE a File tab - I know I can find files under the Office button, but then I can't find "Info" or "Manage Document" on any of the tabs.

Vicki

If you are running Word for Mac, see https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/view-previous-versions-of-office-files-5c1e076f-a9c9-41b8-8ace-f77b9642e2c2#ID0EDDD=macOS.

Stefan Blom
Microsoft 365 Word MVP since 2005
Volunteer Moderator (Office)
MS 365, Win 11 Pro
~~~~
Please note that I do not work for Microsoft
MVP program info: https://mvp.microsoft.com/
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No, I'm not running Word for Mac.

Vicki

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Your reference to the "Office button" suggests you have Word 2007. The mentioned options are not available in that version; they were introduced in Word 2010.

Microsoft MVP (Word) since 1999
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Thank you.

Vicki

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Last updated May 13, 2024 Views 888 Applies to: