ContactMonkey automatically saves a version history for every email and template. Use version history to see who changed an email or template and when, preview what it looked like before, and restore an earlier version if something was changed or deleted by mistake.
Who can use version history
Version history is available on all ContactMonkey plans. Anyone who can edit an email or template can view its version history and restore earlier versions. This includes Managers, who can view and restore versions of team templates for their assigned teams. If you can only view a template, you won't see the Versions option.
How version history works
ContactMonkey saves a new version each time the content of an email or template changes. There's nothing to turn on.
- Saves are grouped: If you save several times within 5 minutes, those saves are grouped into one version that holds your latest work. Saves by different people are always kept as separate versions.
- Changes made by ContactMonkey are included: Some updates happen automatically, like a language change or a comment notification. These appear as their own versions, saved by ContactMonkey.
- 50 versions are kept: Each email or template keeps its 50 most recent versions. Older versions are removed automatically.
- History starts after launch: Version history begins the first time an email or template is opened after October 22, 2026. Changes made before that date can't be recovered.
How to view the version history
Open version history from the Actions menu in the Email Library or in My Templates.
- Go to Emails, then open the Email Library or Templates tab.
- Find the email or template and click Actions.
- Click Versions.
The Template version history page lists every version, newest first. The version marked Current is the one in use now. Each version shows:
- Version: the version number, like v3
- Name: the email or template name at the time
- Saved by: who made the change
- Source: the kind of change, like Editor save, Restore or Language change
- Last updated: when the version was last changed
How to preview an earlier version
Preview a version to see what an email or template looked like before you restore it.
- On the Template version history page, find the version you want.
- Click the Preview (eye) button.
The first time you preview a version, the image can take a few seconds to appear.
How to restore an earlier version
Restoring replaces the current content with the version you choose. Nothing is deleted: your current version stays in the history, so you can switch back at any time.
Before you restore: Make sure no one else has the email or template open in the Email Builder. If someone is still editing, their next save replaces the restored content. If that happens, restore the version again once they've closed it.
- On the Template version history page, find the version you want to restore.
- Click the Restore this version button.
- Click Restore version to confirm.
The restored content appears as a new version at the top of the list, labeled Restored from and the version number it came from.
Tip: To undo a restore, restore the version that was Current before you restored.
Troubleshooting
Problem: The version history is empty.
Solution: Version history starts the first time an email or template is opened after October 22, 2026. Open the email or template in the Email Builder, and versions appear as soon as changes are saved.
Problem: I don't see every save in the list.
Solution: Saves by the same person within 5 minutes are grouped into one version. That version always holds the latest content from those saves.
Problem: The preview says it couldn't be generated.
Solution: You can still restore the version. Close the preview and try again later.
Problem: I need to undo a change I just made.
Solution: For recent edits while the email is still open, use the undo feature in the Email Builder instead. See Using the Undo Feature in the Email Builder.
Related Articles
- Using the Undo Feature in the Email Builder - Undo your last 15 edits while the email is open.
- Understanding the Templates Section - How templates are organized and shared.
- Email Actions Menu Guide - Everything in the Actions menu, including Versions.
- Using the Real-Time Email Collaboration Feature - Editing emails with teammates.