Version control apps and software programs are necessary for almost everyone because they help boost productivity and increase day-to-day effectiveness. This article will cover seven apps you probably weren't aware possessed version control features.

What Is Version Control?

Version control is a method or practice of managing changes made to files, directories, or documents in real-time. Every change made by a user or group is tracked, and this change is called a version. These changes are then stored and curated by a version control system (VCS) and are made available to you at any time.

There are three types of version control systems:

  1. Distributed (Decentralized) Version Control System
  2. Centralized Version Control System
  3. Local Version Control System

Version control works like this: Let's say you're working on a document, and you store ten characters in it. When you save this document, it becomes the first version or version 1. Hours later, you might decide to add five more characters to the document. When this is saved, it becomes version 2. If another person who has access to the document makes another change and saves it, this change would be version 3.

The last and the previous versions will be accessible to you at any time. This means that you can revert to existing versions of documents whenever you need them. Version control also allows for effective team collaboration and traceability of changes.

7 Version Control Apps You Need

When you hear version control, you might think of Git and assume version control is only for software development. This isn't totally true. While Git is a great version control tool, it is not the only one available. Here are seven version control systems to boost your productivity.​​​​​​

1. Git

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Git, which stands for Global Information Tracker, is a free, open-source version control system used to manage source codes and projects of all sizes. Popular among developers, Git is used to branch, merge, and commit changes made to code.

Related: Advanced Git Tutorial

It allows groups of large sizes to work on projects simultaneously. Because it uses a distributed version control system (DVCS), the version history of the project and its code are saved on the computer of every developer working on the project. Most of all, Git is secure, flexible, and easy to learn.

2. Google Docs

MacBook with Google Docs logo

Google Docs is an online text processor that allows you to create and edit word documents on your web browser from any device. Google Docs is one of the office tools provided by the Google Editors Suite apps. It offers great styling techniques, smart editing features, and stores your work online.

Packed with hundreds of fonts and unique templates, Google Docs is one of the best text-processing software available. Google Docs allows multiple users to collaborate on a single file and make changes to them. It also saves the changes made to every file and stores the version history.

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To store a version on Google Docs, click on File in the toolbar, then click on Version History in the drop-down menu. A new window opens that enables you to name and save your version.

To view your version history, enter the command Ctrl + Alt + Shift + H. This would open a new window that lists all the versions of the documents available.

3. Google Sheets

Google-sheets-apps

Google Sheets—one of the Google Editors Suite apps—is an online spreadsheet program that enables collaboration, effective data visualization, and insights. It is cloud-based and has in-built functions, formulas, and tables. It is free, easy to learn, and a fast-growing replacement for Microsoft Excel.

With Google Sheets, you can analyze data, generate lists, make tables, and create insights. You can also import XLS, CSV, and other spreadsheet files into Google Sheets seamlessly and work on them.

Google Sheets allows many people to work on a sheet, and it possesses version control features. The steps to creating and viewing versions are the same with Google Docs.

4. Google Slides

Google Slides logo on computer

Google Slides is an online presentation program embedded with numerous free templates, animations, and fonts to make your presentations flawless. With Google Slides, you can work with people to make aesthetic presentations and slides. Coupled with great add-ons like Slidesgo, Google Slides increases productivity, quality of work, and collaboration between co-workers.

Google Slides possesses version control features, and because it is one of the Google Editors Suite apps, the steps to view and access version history are similar to those of Google Docs.

5. Microsoft SharePoint

An image showing integrations of sharepoint

Microsoft SharePoint is a web-based program that enables effective team, collaboration, project management, and version control. A branch of Microsoft SharePoint allows organizations to host websites on its platform.

Integrated with Microsoft Office, SharePoint allows the seamless creation and sharing of files, documents, and data. Here's how to enable version control in Microsoft SharePoint.

6. Canva

Canva basic design

Canva is a graphic design application that allows you to create aesthetic infographics, posters, flyers, presentations, and even videos. It is free, easy to use, and comes with numerous templates and fonts. You can use Canva to create graphics and collaborate with other members. Versions of the work you make are also saved automatically.

If you're new to Canva, here's an easy guide to using the Canva app.

7. Figma

Figma's new macOS icon

Figma is a user interface design app that allows for collaboration. It is used to design and prototype user interfaces for websites and mobile apps. Figma is not limited to User interface design. It is also a graphics design tool and is used to create everything from social media posts to wallpapers and logos.

Like Git, Figma allows you to merge changes, create branches to your file, and save versions of your file. If you do not save versions, Figma will automatically save versions of your work, and these versions are called checkpoints.

Version Control and Productivity

With time, version control features have been added to many apps to improve productivity. If you are into engineering design and manufacturing, it might interest you that Fusion 360 possesses version control features and allows collaboration.

Choosing an application or program that has a version control system would no doubt boost your productivity.