> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://overleaf-pro.ayaka.space/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://overleaf-pro.ayaka.space/latex/more-topics/49-using-the-history-feature.md). # Using the History feature The **History** feature lets you create and manage different versions of your project. You can view, download and compare project versions, previously deleted files can be restored, and content added by collaborators can be seen at a glance. ## Using the full History feature **Full Project History** is a [premium feature](/latex/knowledge-base/120-overleaf-premium-features.md). Overleaf premium features are available to participants in [Overleaf Commons](https://www.overleaf.com/for/universities), members of group [subscriptions](https://www.overleaf.com/for/groups), and owners of individual [subscriptions](https://www.overleaf.com/user/subscription/plans). For users on our free plan, the History panel will show edits made in the last 24 hours. If you need history from more than 24 hours ago, or if you\*\*’\*\*d like to test-drive the full **History** feature as well as other [premium features](/latex/knowledge-base/120-overleaf-premium-features.md), you can start a free trial [here](https://www.overleaf.com/user/plans). Only the project owner needs to be on a premium subscription in order for them and any collaborators to access the full history. ## How to access a project’s history Click on **History**, located above the preview panel, to access the **History** feature. You can then select: * **All history** to view all available history versions. * **Labels** to access the list of labels you have created. ### How to return to editing mode To exit the **History** mode and return to normal editing mode, just click on **History** again. ### What happens to the history if you copy a project? A [copied project](/latex/knowledge-base/030-copying-a-project.md) starts with a completely new, fresh history—the original project\*\*’\*\*s history is not copied to the new project. ## How to label or download a project version To label or download a project version you need to: * Switch to the **All history** view. * Select the three-dot menu ![Image of the three dot menu icon used to access History actions](/files/zN32UdUQuZ2WmGetaFIq) to access the actions **Label this version** and **Download this version**. ![LabelAVersion.png](/files/i0owASJjWzFntczvl1QH) ### How to label a project version Follow these steps to label a project version: 1. Switch to the **All history** view. 2. Select the three-dot menu ![Image of the three dot menu icon used to access History actions](/files/zN32UdUQuZ2WmGetaFIq) on the version you wish to label. 3. Choose **Label this version**. 4. Type the desired label into the popup window and select **Add label**. ![Image of the pop up window used to provide a label for Overleaf project versions](/files/4rVBawWnqI2OQi8G2ErV) **Note:** You can attach multiple lablels to each project version. ### How to label the current version of a project The current version of a project is labelled **Current state**. Follows these steps to edit that label: 1. Select the **Labels** tab of the History pane. 2. Select the three-dot menu ![Image of the three dot menu icon used to access History actions](/files/zN32UdUQuZ2WmGetaFIq). ![Labelling the current project state](/files/66JG3Mahj2zQWaxT4HCP) 5. Choose **Label this version**. 6. Type the desired label into the popup window and select **Add label**. ### How to download a project version Follow these steps to download a project version: 1. Switch to the **All history** view (or the **Labels** view). 2. Select the three-dot menu ![3dotmenu2.png](/files/zN32UdUQuZ2WmGetaFIq) on the version you want to download. 3. Choose **Download this version**. 4. A `.zip` file, containing your project files, is generated and downloaded to your device. ## How to compare versions To select a range of versions to compare, use the icons ![Image of an icon used to select Overleaf project versions for comparison.](/files/HceUrj9svORKzJqU49gm), ![Image of an icon used to select Overleaf project versions for comparison.](/files/20KbkDqJLJtzIA1EpxZ2) or ![Image of an icon used to select Overleaf project versions for comparison.](/files/FKTWfrZY0R21fDzPjon6) located on each project version. Noting that project versions are listed in chronological order, with the newest at the top and older versions lower down the list, these icons perform the following actions: * ![Image of an icon used to select Overleaf project versions for comparison.](/files/FKTWfrZY0R21fDzPjon6): compare up to this version * ![Image of an icon used to select Overleaf project versions for comparison.](/files/HceUrj9svORKzJqU49gm): compare from this version * ![Image of an icon used to select Overleaf project versions for comparison.](/files/20KbkDqJLJtzIA1EpxZ2): this icon appears for versions in the middle of the current comparison range. It provides a drop-down menu offering * Compare up to this version * Compare from this version The following 45-second video demonstrates how to compare project versions. {% embed url="" %} ## How to restore your entire project or individual project files With a single click, you can restore your entire project—or an individual file—to a previous version, complete with comments and tracked changes. ### How to restore a single file to a previous version Follow these steps to restore a single file to a previous version. This process restores the file’s content, plus any comments and tracked changes, to the state it was in at the selected date and time. 1. Switch to the **All history** view. 2. Select the file version you wish to restore. 3. Select **Restore this version** to reinstate the file. ![Steps to restore a file version.](/files/RjvX2GwZ18Kvxf65yZKQ) 5. You are asked to confirm that you want to **Restore this version** of the chosen file. Select **Restore** to confirm. ![Overleaf's pop-up modal checking if you want to restore a file](/files/39aVgNoAoaQQcThmjZxz) 7. Overleaf restores the file and switches your project out of **History** mode and back to editing mode. ### How to recover a deleted file Follow these steps to recover accidentally deleted files. 1. Switch to the **All history** view. 2. Select the project version in which the file was deleted. 3. Select the deleted file from the list of project files (it will be crossed out). 4. Select **Restore this version** to recover the file. ![Image showing how to restore a deleted project file using the new History user interface.](/files/4pyrPJtzzihPjcYgEWbK) 6. You are asked to confirm that you want to **Restore this version** of the chosen file. Select **Restore** to confirm. ![Overleaf's pop-up modal checking if you want to restore a file](/files/5AUMscJNEXZmByz5FdsP) 8. Overleaf restores the file and switches your project out of **History** mode and back to editing mode. ### How to restore an old version of your project Follow these steps to restore an entire project to a previous version. This process restores the projects’s content, plus any comments and tracked changes, to the state it was in at the selected date and time. 1. Switch to the **All history** view. 2. Select the project version you wish to restore. 3. Select the three-dot menu (![Image of the three dot menu icon used to access History actions](/files/zN32UdUQuZ2WmGetaFIq)). 4. Choose **Restore project to this version**. ![How to restore an Overleaf project version](/files/mA6lEOzGEI3e7WETlpmx) 6. You are asked to confirm whether you want to restore the entire project to its state at the specified time and date—including any comments and tracked changes. Select **Restore** to confirm. ![Overleaf's pop-up modal checking if you want to restore your project](/files/mebrcqXDSwfmPOsrGDGi) 8. Overleaf restores your project, switches out of **History** mode and back to editing mode. You will need to select the file you want to continue editing. --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter: ``` GET https://overleaf-pro.ayaka.space/latex/more-topics/49-using-the-history-feature.md?ask=&goal= ``` `ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. `goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.