Edit history and version control in Google Sheets - Interactive Code Practice

Practice - 5 Tasks

1fill in blank

easy

Complete the formula to show the last edit time of the current sheet.

Google Sheets

=NOW() - [1]

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

A0

B1

CTODAY()

DLASTEDIT()

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Using 1 subtracts one day, which changes the time.

Using TODAY() returns only the date, not time.

LASTEDIT() is not a valid function.

The NOW() function returns the current date and time. Subtracting 0 keeps it unchanged, which can be used to refresh the timestamp.

2fill in blank

medium

Complete the formula to get the version number of the current Google Sheet.

Google Sheets

=VERSION() [1] 1

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

A+

B*

C-

D/

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Using plus adds to the version number incorrectly.

Multiplying or dividing does not make sense here.

The VERSION() function returns the version number. Subtracting 1 adjusts the version count as needed.

3fill in blank

hard

Fix the error in the formula to show the last editor's email address.

Google Sheets

=GETLASTEDITEDBY([1])

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

ASheet1

B1

CNOW()

DA1

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Passing a cell reference or sheet name causes errors.

Using NOW() is not valid here.

The GETLASTEDITEDBY() function requires the version number as a parameter, which is a number like 1.

4fill in blank

hard

Fill both blanks to create a formula that shows the timestamp of the last edit and the editor's email.

Google Sheets

=CONCATENATE(TEXT(NOW() - [1], "yyyy-mm-dd hh:mm"), " by ", [2])

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

A0

BGETLASTEDITEDBY(1)

CGETLASTEDITEDBY(2)

D1

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Using 1 in the first blank subtracts a day.

Using GETLASTEDITEDBY(2) may not return the latest editor.

Subtracting 0 keeps the current time. GETLASTEDITEDBY(1) returns the last editor's email.

5fill in blank

hard

Fill all three blanks to create a formula that lists editors for the last three versions.

Google Sheets

=ARRAYFORMULA([1](1, 2, 3), [2](1, 2, 3), [3](1, 2, 3))

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

AGETLASTEDITEDBY

BNOW

CVERSION

DTEXT

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Using NOW, VERSION, or TEXT functions here is incorrect.

Mixing different functions causes errors.

The GETLASTEDITEDBY function called with versions 1, 2, and 3 returns the editors for those versions.

Practice

1. What does the Version history feature in Google Sheets allow you to do?

easy

A. See past changes and restore previous versions of the spreadsheet

B. Automatically save your spreadsheet to your computer

C. Share the spreadsheet with other users

D. Create charts and graphs from your data

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the purpose of Version history

   Version history shows all changes made to the spreadsheet over time, including who made them and when.

2. Step 2: Identify the main function of Version history

   It allows users to view and restore previous versions, helping recover lost data or undo mistakes.

3. Final Answer:

   See past changes and restore previous versions of the spreadsheet -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Version history = view and restore changes [OK]

Hint: Version history = past changes + restore [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing version history with sharing options
• Thinking it saves files locally
• Assuming it creates charts

2. Which menu path do you use to access the version history in Google Sheets?

easy

A. Edit > Undo

B. File > Version history > See version history

C. View > Freeze

D. Insert > Chart

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall the menu for version history

   Version history is found under the File menu in Google Sheets.

2. Step 2: Identify the correct submenu

   The correct submenu is Version history, then See version history.

3. Final Answer:

   File > Version history > See version history -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Version history menu = File > Version history > See version history [OK]

Hint: Version history is under File menu [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Looking under Edit or View menus
• Confusing Undo with version history
• Selecting Insert menu options

3. You open the version history and see a version labeled "Edited by Alice at 3:00 PM". What can you do with this version?

medium

A. Restore the spreadsheet to how it was at 3:00 PM

B. Export it as a PDF directly from version history

C. Automatically merge it with the current version

D. Delete the entire spreadsheet permanently

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the function of a saved version

   Each version in history represents the spreadsheet state at a specific time.

2. Step 2: Identify what restoring a version does

   Restoring replaces the current sheet with the saved state from that time.

3. Final Answer:

   Restore the spreadsheet to how it was at 3:00 PM -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Version restore = revert to past state [OK]

Hint: Restore means revert to saved time state [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking you can delete the whole file from version history
• Assuming versions merge automatically
• Believing you can export directly from version history

4. You tried to restore an old version but the spreadsheet did not change. What is the most likely reason?

medium

A. Version history is only available for 24 hours

B. You clicked 'Restore' but did not confirm the action

C. You restored a version identical to the current one

D. You need to download the version first before restoring

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand what happens when restoring a version

   Restoring replaces the current sheet with the selected version's content.

2. Step 2: Consider why no change appears

   If the restored version is the same as the current one, no visible change occurs.

3. Final Answer:

   You restored a version identical to the current one -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Restoring same version = no visible change [OK]

Hint: Restoring identical version shows no change [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking restore needs confirmation every time
• Believing version history expires in 24 hours
• Assuming download is required before restore

5. You want to keep a permanent copy of a specific version of your Google Sheet before making big changes. What is the best way to do this?

hard

A. Rename the current spreadsheet to save the version

B. Share the spreadsheet with yourself to save the version

C. Download the spreadsheet as Excel before editing

D. Make a copy of the spreadsheet from the version history at that version

Solution

1. Step 1: Access the desired version in version history

   Open the version history and select the version you want to keep.

2. Step 2: Use the 'Make a copy' feature

   Click 'Make a copy' next to that version in the version history panel to save it as a new spreadsheet.

3. Final Answer:

   Make a copy of the spreadsheet from the version history at that version -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Copy version to new file = permanent save [OK]

Hint: Use 'Make a copy' to save version permanently [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Renaming does not save old versions
• Downloading before editing loses version context
• Sharing does not create a saved copy