Revert SharePoint Site to the Previous Version - Full Guide

Ever made a change to a website and immediately regretted it? With SharePoint, you don't have to panic. Yes, you can revert a SharePoint site to the previous version. It happens to the best of us: accidental deletions, updates that go wrong, or simply realizing the old layout was better. That's where the ability to revert SharePoint site to the previous version becomes a lifesaver.

SharePoint version history keeps track of all the changes, so you can always go back. Knowing how to perform a SharePoint site restore is crucial for maintaining your data and keeping your team's work flowing smoothly. So, let’s start discussing how to get back all of the changes using version history.??

Understanding SharePoint Versioning for Effective Restoration?

So, how does SharePoint make it possible to revert SharePoint site to the previous version? The magic lies in SharePoint site versioning. Think of it as a detailed history book for your site. Every time you or a colleague makes a change to a file, page, or list item, SharePoint creates a new version. This allows you to track changes, and see who made them, and when. And most importantly, it enables you to restore previous SharePoint versions with ease.

There are primarily two types of versions: major and minor. Major versions represent significant changes, like a final draft of a document ready for publishing. These are numbered with whole numbers (1.0, 2.0, 3.0, etc.). Minor versions, on the other hand, are drafts or work-in-progress versions, often used during the editing process. These are marked with decimals (0.1, 1.1, 1.2, etc.). Typically, site owners and users with "Full Control" or "Contribute" permissions can restore previous versions. Make sure you have the necessary access to avoid any roadblocks.

It's important to understand how SharePoint site backup complements versioning. While versioning allows you to go back to a recent state, backups are crucial for disaster recovery scenarios. Think of versioning as short-term memory and backups as long-term archival. Both are essential for a robust data protection strategy..

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Revert SharePoint Site to the Previous Version

Now, let's get into the practical steps.

1. First, navigate to the SharePoint site you want to restore.
2. Click the gear icon in the top right corner.
3. Select "Site information," and then "View all site settings." This is where you'll find the options to manage your site's version history.?
4. In the "Site Settings" page, look for "Site Collection Administration" or “Site Administration” depending on your version of SharePoint.
5. Find the option related to version history, or in newer versions, "Restore this site". This link leads you to the list of saved versions.
6. You'll see a list of previous versions. Each entry includes the date, time, and the user who made the changes.
7. Carefully review the list to identify the version you want to restore.
8. Consider the timing of changes and the content of each version to make the correct selection.
9. Once you've found the desired version, select it.
10. Click the "Restore" button.
11. You'll likely be prompted to confirm the restoration. Carefully read the confirmation message before proceeding.
12. The Site collection administration tools are what process the command.
13. After the restoration is complete, take some time to verify that the site has been reverted correctly.
14. Check key pages, lists, and libraries to ensure they contain the expected content.
15. Pay attention to any recent changes that might have been lost during the restoration.
16. This step is vital to ensure a complete SharePoint site recovery.
17. It is important to remember, that depending on the size of the site, and the amount of changes, this process can take some time. Do not interrupt the process.

Best Practices for Maintaining Reliable SharePoint Site Versions

To make the process of reverting the SharePoint site to its previous version smoother, it's essential to follow some best practices. These tips will help you keep your site versions organized and reliable.

• Implementing Regular SharePoint Site Backup Strategies
• Establishing Clear Versioning Policies
• Training Users on the Importance of Version Control
• Documenting Changes to Streamline the Process to Revert SharePoint Site to the Previous Version
• Ensuring Data Integrity Through Proper Version Management
• Also, make sure you have your site backup. Whether into local storage by downloading each file or into another SharePoint account by using the SharePoint Online Migration Tool.?

Impact on Subsites and Lists When You Revert SharePoint Site Changes

When you revert the SharePoint site back to the previous version, it's not just the main site that's affected. Understanding how subsites and lists are impacted is crucial.

1. If your main SharePoint site has subsites, they will also be reverted to the version that corresponds to the selected restore point.
2. This means any changes made to subsites after that point will also be lost.
3. When you revert the site, these lists and libraries will also revert to their corresponding versions.

Conclusion

In this article, we have discussed how to revert SharePoint site to the previous version. You can follow the above-mentioned steps to restore your site to the previous version. Also, do not forget that, your subsites will also be affected while you revert your SharePoint site.?