SharePoint Major Version and Minor Version

A major version is usually one that represents a milestone, such as completion of an outline or a chapter. Major versions are numbered with whole numbers, such as 3.0, 4.0, and so on.

A minor version represents interim check-ins while a particular file is under development. Minor versions are numbered with decimals, such as 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, and so on.

In many organizations, versioning is set up so that only the owner of the file and people who can approve items can see minor versions. In others, it is set up so that anyone who can edit files in the library, or anyone who has Read permission to the library, can see all versions.

Note: Major and minor versions are available in libraries, but not in lists.

Limiting the number of versions is generally a good practice. It means you can conserve space on the server and reduce clutter for users. But, if your organization is required to save all versions for legal or other reasons, do not apply any limits.

• When you check out a file in a versioning-enabled library, a new version is created every time you check it back in. And, if major and minor versions are part of the configuration of your library, you can designate, at check-in, which type of version you are checking in. In libraries where check-out is required, versions are only created upon check-in.

• In libraries where check-out is not required, a new version is created the first time you save after opening the file. Each subsequent save overwrites the version that you created with the first save. If you close the application and then reopen the document, the first save will, once again, produce a version. This can cause the number of versions to proliferate very rapidly.

How to View a file or item from previous version

If you need to view an older version of an item or file, you can select the older version and �view� it so that it becomes the current version.

1. Navigate to the list or library where your item or file is located.

2. Hover over the item or file for which you want to manage versions until you see a drop-down arrow.

3. Click the drop-down arrow and select Version History.

4. Hover over the version that you want to view and select the document.
5. This will display the document with that particular version.

How to Delete a previous version

If you need to make sure that no one can read a version that has inaccurate or otherwise troublesome information, you can delete it.

1. Navigate to the list or library where your item or file is located.

2. Hover over the item or file for which you want to manage versions until you see a drop-down arrow.

3. Click the drop-down arrow and select Version History.

4. Hover over the version that you want to delete until you see a drop-down arrow.

5. Click the drop-down arrow and select Delete.

6. When you are prompted to confirm the deletion, click OK.

Note: When you delete a version, it is sent to the Recycle Bin, where you, or another person who has the necessary permissions, can recover it. If you do not see the Recycle Bin on your site, your server administrator might have disabled it.

How to Restore a file or item from previous version

If you need an older version of an item or file, you can select the older version and �restore� it so that it becomes the current version.

1. Navigate to the list or library where your item or file is located.

2. Hover over the item or file for which you want to manage versions until you see a drop-down arrow.

3. Click the drop-down arrow and select Version History.

4. Hover over the version that you want to restore until you see a drop-down arrow.

5. Click the drop-down arrow and select Restore.

6. When you are prompted to confirm the restoration as your current version, click OK.

SharePoint Versioning

Versioning is available for list items in all default list types�including calendars, issue tracking lists, and custom lists. It is also available for all file types that can be stored in libraries, including Web Part pages.

Versioning helps us with the following:

Track history of a version -When versioning is enabled, you can see when an item or file was changed and who changed it. You can also see when properties (information about the file) were changed. For example, if someone changes the due date of a list item, that information appears in the version history. You can also see the comments people make when they check files into libraries.

Restore a previous version - If you made a mistake in a current version, if the current version is corrupt, or if you simply like a previous version better, you can replace the current version with a previous one. The �restored� version becomes the new current version.

View a previous version - You can view a previous version without overwriting your current version. If you are viewing version history within a Microsoft Office document, such as a Word or Excel file, you can compare the two versions to determine what the differences are.

To do this�	I need this permission�
View version history	Full Control, Contribute, Read
Restore a previous version	Full Control, Contribute
Delete a version	Full Control, Contribute
Unpublish a version	Full Control, Contribute
Recover deleted a deleted version (30 days)	Full control and/or Contribute