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Excalidraw version history

Version history for your Excalidraw diagrams

Excalidraw has no version history, so it's easy to iterate on a diagram and realize the layout you wanted was the one you already changed. CanvasKeep adds named versions to the same canvas: save a checkpoint anytime and restore any earlier one in a click.

Try the canvas - no signupWhy CanvasKeep

Undo isn't version history

Excalidraw's undo works only inside your current session. The moment you close the tab, that history is gone. So the common ways people try to keep versions are all workarounds:

  • Exporting a new .excalidraw file every time, and hoping you named them well.
  • Duplicating the whole scene into a copy before edits.
  • Taking screenshots you can look at but never edit again.

Real version history, in three steps

CanvasKeep keeps durable, named snapshots of each diagram:

  1. 1. Save a named checkpoint

    Before a big change, or whenever a diagram is in a good state, save a version and name it. It's stored separately from your working copy.

  2. 2. Preview any past version

    Open the version list and preview any checkpoint to confirm it's the one you want, without touching your current diagram.

  3. 3. Restore in one click

    Bring an earlier version back as the current diagram with a single click. The version you needed is no longer the one you overwrote.

Keeping versions works best when diagrams are organized in the first place. See how to organize Excalidraw drawings in folders, compare tools like Excalidraw, or read the full Excalidraw alternative overview.

Frequently asked questions

Does Excalidraw have version history?
The free excalidraw.com canvas does not keep a version history. There's no built-in way to save named snapshots of a drawing or roll back to an earlier state. Once you change and save a diagram, the previous version is gone unless you manually exported a copy. CanvasKeep adds real version history on top of the same Excalidraw canvas.
How do I save a previous version of an Excalidraw drawing?
In CanvasKeep you click 'Save version' to store a named checkpoint at any point, for example 'before redesign' or 'v2 for review'. The checkpoint is kept separately, so continuing to edit never overwrites it.
Can I restore an old version of a diagram?
Yes. You can preview any saved version to check it's the one you want, then restore it with a single click. Restoring brings that version back as the current diagram without destroying the others.
How many versions can I keep?
The free plan keeps up to 5 saved versions per diagram, which covers most iteration. Paid plans lift the cap.
Is this different from Excalidraw's undo?
Yes. Undo only works within a single session and is lost when you close the tab. Version history is durable and named, so you can come back next week and still restore last month's version.

Never overwrite the version you needed

Draw on the same Excalidraw canvas, then save named versions you can restore anytime. Free to start.

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