How to View Excel Change History

What You’ll Need

An Excel file saved to OneDrive, SharePoint, or Microsoft 365 (change history is not available for local-only files).
Edit or review permissions for the file.
If you want to restore an old version, you’ll need owner or editor access.

Step-by-Step

Open the file in Excel Online or desktop. Change history works best in Excel for the web; desktop apps may show a simplified version.
Go to the Review tab. On the ribbon at the top, click Review. If you don’t see it, your version may have it under File > Info.
Click “Show Changes” or “Track Changes”. In Excel Online, look for Show Changes in the Review tab. In older desktop versions, it’s Track Changes > Highlight Changes. The exact wording varies by version.
Review the changes pane. A panel opens on the right listing each edit: who made it, when, and what cell(s) changed. Click any entry to jump to that cell.
Filter or sort the list. Use the dropdowns at the top of the pane to filter by sheet, date range, or person. This helps when many people have edited.
Restore an older version (if needed). Go to File > Info > Version History (or History in Excel Online). A list of saved versions appears; click one to open it, then compare or restore it.

Common Mistakes

Looking for change history on a local file. If the file isn’t saved to OneDrive or SharePoint, Excel won’t track changes. Save it to the cloud first.
Expecting real-time updates. Changes appear after the file is saved, not instantly as people type.
Confusing “Track Changes” with “Comments”. Track Changes records edits; Comments are notes you add separately.
Using an old Excel version. Change history is fully available only in Microsoft 365 (Office 365). Older perpetual licenses may have limited or no access.

Tips

Use Excel Online for the most complete change history experience—desktop apps often show only a summary.
If you need a permanent record, export the change history to a new sheet using Review > Show Changes > Export (if available).
Set up sharing with “Can edit” permissions so you can see who changed what.
For sensitive workbooks, consider turning off “Track Changes” after a review period to reduce clutter.

Troubleshooting

No “Show Changes” button appears

Your file may not be stored in OneDrive/SharePoint, or you may be using an older Excel version. Save the file to OneDrive and try again. If you’re on a desktop app, update to the latest Microsoft 365 version.

Changes are missing or incomplete

Change history only covers edits made after the file was shared and saved. If someone edited a copy locally and then uploaded it, those changes won’t appear. Always work on the shared file.

Can’t restore an old version

Version history is only available if the file is stored in OneDrive/SharePoint and you have owner or editor access. If you can’t restore, ask the owner to do it for you.

Changes by the same person appear as “Anonymous”

This happens when someone edits without signing in, or when the file is shared via a link that doesn’t require sign-in. Ask people to sign in with their Microsoft account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see who changed a specific cell?

Yes. In the Show Changes pane, click an entry to highlight the cell. The pane shows the person, date, and old/new value.

Does change history work on mobile Excel?

You can view changes in the mobile app, but editing and restoring versions is limited. Use a desktop or web browser for full control.

How long is change history kept?

Version history is kept for 30 days for files in OneDrive/SharePoint, but changes in the Show Changes pane may persist longer depending on your settings. For critical files, export a copy.

Can I print the change history?

There’s no direct print button, but you can copy the entries from the pane and paste them into a Word document or email.

What if I accidentally delete a sheet with changes?

Use Version History to restore the entire workbook to a point before the deletion. If that’s not available, check your OneDrive recycle bin.

Is change history the same as “Track Changes” in older Excel?

Not exactly. “Track Changes” is a legacy feature that highlights edits in the sheet. Change history is a newer, cleaner panel. Both exist in some versions.

Sources: Microsoft Support. Menus and buttons can differ slightly by version. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.