# ownCloud Administrators Manual

# Utilization

The versions app, when enabled, automatically creates a new version each time an existing, non-empty file is saved.

## Initial File creation

Create a file on the ownCloud server – either directly via the browser, an upload, or a file sync from the client. In this example, the file versionText.txt was created via the web browser.

### Note

Since this file was initially created via the web browser, it is an empty file.

## Edit the file

Edit the file through the web browser.

And save.

### Notes

Editing an empty file, as in this instance, for the first time, does not create a new version.

## Create version

Edit the non-zero byte file either via the web browser, via the sync client or via an upload.

And save.

### Notes

When performing an upload of a file which already exists on the server, a dialog box appears asking whether to keep the existing file or the new file.

In order to create a version, the New File must be selected. If the Existing File is selected, the file is not replaced hence no new version is created.

## Accessing Versions

In order to view what versions exist for a given file, hover over the line containing the file and select Versions on the right side.

In this case, there are two previous versions of versionTest.txt . The thumbnail and creation time can be used to identify what was in the file in that version.

## Reverting to a different version

To revert to a previous version, simply select the restore next to the version as seen in .

### Notes

In the instance where a file is reverted to another version, the “existing” version of the file is versioned and can be reverted at a later date.

## Sharing and Versions

If user-A shares a file with user-B, user-B may revert the file to any previous version. If user-B modifies the file, a new version is created.