How to use version history

Version history keeps a record of every change made to your image files. Whenever you upload a new version of a file, PixelFiddler saves the previous one so you can compare, review, or revert at any time. This is especially useful for e-commerce sellers who regularly update product photos and want a safety net against accidental overwrites.

Before you start

Version history must be turned on in your space settings. It is not enabled by default.

1. Open your Space Settings in the PixelFiddler dashboard
2. Find the Versioning toggle
3. Switch it to On
4. Click Save

Space Settings

Versioning is off by default

If versioning is disabled, re-uploading a file with the same name will permanently overwrite the original. There is no way to recover the previous file once it has been replaced. Enable versioning before you start uploading if you want to preserve your image history.

How new versions are created

A new version is created automatically when you upload a file that has the same name and path as an existing file. PixelFiddler detects the match and stores the incoming file as a new version rather than discarding the old one.

For example, if you already have a file called product-hero.jpg in your storage and you upload another file named product-hero.jpg to the same location, PixelFiddler will:

• Save the new upload as the current version
• Move the previous file to version history
• Assign an incremented version number to each entry

Note

Uploading a file with a different name creates a separate file, not a new version. The file names must match exactly for versioning to apply.

Viewing version history

You can view the full history of any file directly from the file browser.

Step 1: Open the file details panel

1. Navigate to your storage in the PixelFiddler dashboard
2. Browse to the file you want to inspect
3. Click on the file to open the file details panel on the right side of the screen

Step 2: Find the version dropdown

In the file details panel, look for the version dropdown. This control displays the currently selected version and lets you switch between all available versions.

Step 3: Browse versions

Click the version dropdown to see a list of all stored versions. Each entry shows:

• Current — the latest version of the file, which is served by default
• Version numbers — older versions listed in descending order (e.g., Version 3, Version 2, Version 1)

Select any version from the list to preview it in the details panel. This lets you visually compare different versions of the same image without downloading anything.

Reverting to a previous version

If you need to go back to an older version of a file, you can restore it so that it becomes the current version again.

1. Open the file details panel for the file you want to revert
2. Use the version dropdown to select the version you want to restore
3. Click Revert to this version
4. Confirm the action

After reverting, the selected version becomes the new current version. The version that was previously current is preserved in the history, so you never lose any data.

Tip

Reverting does not delete any versions. Every version you have ever uploaded remains accessible in the version history. Think of it as moving an older version back to the front of the line.

Checking the version number

The current version number is always visible in the file details panel alongside other file metadata such as file size, dimensions, and upload date. This makes it easy to confirm which version of an image is currently live.

When versioning is disabled

If you hover over the version dropdown and versioning is turned off for your space, you will see a tooltip explaining that the feature is currently disabled. No version history will be available for any files, and the dropdown will be inactive.

To start tracking versions, enable versioning in your space settings as described in the “Before you start” section above.

Note

Enabling versioning does not retroactively create history for files that were already overwritten. It only begins tracking versions for uploads made after the setting is turned on.

Why version history matters for e-commerce

Managing product images is a constant process. Photos get retouched, backgrounds get swapped, and seasonal campaigns require frequent updates. Version history gives you confidence that none of these changes are permanent or irreversible.

Undo accidental edits

Accidentally uploaded a low-resolution image or the wrong crop? Revert to the previous version in a few clicks instead of hunting through your local files for the original.

Compare before and after retouching

When you retouch a product photo — adjusting colors, removing blemishes, or changing the background — version history lets you switch between the original and the edited version side by side. This is invaluable for quality control and client approvals.

Keep originals alongside edited versions

You do not have to choose between your raw originals and polished final images. Version history preserves every iteration, so you always have access to the unedited source file if you need it later.

Manage seasonal updates

Many e-commerce stores swap product images for holiday campaigns, seasonal promotions, or limited-time branding. With version history, you can upload your holiday-themed product photo, then revert back to the standard image once the promotion ends. No need to re-upload or rename files.

Seasonal workflow example

1. Upload your standard product-banner.jpg as usual
2. When the holiday season starts, upload the festive version with the same file name
3. PixelFiddler saves the standard image as a previous version
4. When the season ends, revert to the original version with one click

Next steps

Now that you know how to use version history, explore these related topics:

• Space Settings — Configure versioning and other space-wide preferences