Page Versioning in AEM

Versioning saves a copy of the current page so that an author can view, and revert back to it in the future.

1. When to use Versioning
2. Automatic Versioning
3. Creating a Version
4. Restoring a Version
5. Timewarp

When to use Versioning
Before and after making major changes to a page.

After editing/adding all your content to a page.

Leaving a page for the next day or longer to edit.

Versioning is useful for comparing old versions with the current page. Authors can also revert back to older versions if you prefer them over the current page.

AEM will only keep 30 versions. Once there are more than 30 versions, the oldest ones will no longer be available.

Automatic Versioning
Activating a page will automatically create a version of that page, but deactivating a page will not.

Creating a Version
1. Click the Versioning tab (clock icon).


2. If you would like to add a comment to accompany your version, add text into the Comment text field. Comments are useful for documenting changes, as well as future suggestions for yourself or other authors.


3. Click Create Version.



A prompt will immediately display in the top right corner, informing you that a version of the current page has been created.



Restoring a Version
This process shows how to restore a page to a past version; it does not create a version of the current page. We suggest all authors create a version of the current page (if you haven't already) before restoring the page to an older version. This will allow you to restore the page back to how it was, in case you want to.

Follow the steps below to refer or revert back to a past version.

1. Click Restore version and a list of versions will show up. Check the box beside the version you want to restore.



2. To make sure this version is the one you want, click Diff to see the differences between the version and the current page.


The browser window will display the version you are inspecting. Text and images that are not in the current page but in the version will be displayed with a red line crossing it out.



3. After previewing the version, click Back to look at other versions, or click Restore to revert the page to this version.



4. If you click Restore, a prompt will ask you to confirm your decision. Click Yes to finish the restore process or No to stop it.



Using Timewarp
Use Timewarp to see the state of the page over a span of days. This tool is offered in AEM but contains limited functionality.

Source: https://www.sfu.ca/cms/howto/basics/versioning.html