Deleted a paragraph in Word and only noticed later? How you get it back depends on how much has happened since. If the document is still open, Undo usually brings it back in seconds. If you’ve saved and closed the file, you’ll need an older copy, and Word, OneDrive, and Windows each keep their own. This guide goes through every option, from fastest to most involved, so you can stop at the first one that works.
Quick answer
If the document is still open, press Ctrl + Z (Command + Z on a Mac) until the text comes back. If the file is saved in OneDrive or SharePoint, go to File > Info > Version History and open an earlier version.
Method 1: Undo
Press Ctrl + Z to reverse your last action. Keep pressing it to step back through earlier actions. To jump back several steps at once, click the arrow next to the Undo button (on the Home tab or Quick Access Toolbar in newer versions) and choose how far to go back.
If you undo too far, press Ctrl + Y to redo. Undo history is lost when you close the document, so try this first.
Method 2: Version History (OneDrive and SharePoint)
Files saved to OneDrive or SharePoint keep earlier versions automatically.
- Click the file name at the top of the Word window and choose Version History, or go to File > Info > Version History.
- A pane lists earlier versions with dates and times. Click Open version on one from before the text was deleted.
- Copy the missing text and paste it into your current document. Or click Restore to replace the current version entirely.
For more detail, see our guide on seeing version history in Word. Copying and pasting is often better than restoring, because restoring also removes any changes you’ve made since that version.
Method 3: Tracked changes
If Track Changes was on, deleted text isn’t gone. It’s shown as crossed out or listed in a balloon. Go to the Review tab, click the deletion, and choose Reject to bring the text back. If you don’t see the markup, change the view in the Review tab from Simple Markup or No Markup to All Markup.
Method 4: Previous Versions in Windows
If the file is on your PC and File History or System Protection is turned on, Windows may have an older copy.
- Close the document.
- In File Explorer, right-click the file and choose Properties.
- Open the Previous Versions tab. If copies are listed, select one from before the deletion and click Open to check it.
- Copy the text you need into your current file, or use Restore to replace the file.
On a Mac with Time Machine, open the folder, click the Time Machine icon in the menu bar, and browse back to an earlier copy.
Method 5: AutoRecover and backup copies
AutoRecover is designed for crashes, not deleted text, but its files can sometimes hold an earlier draft:
- Go to File > Info > Manage Document > Recover Unsaved Documents to see what Word has saved.
- If you turned on Always create backup copy in File > Options > Advanced > Save, look for a file named “Backup of” your document, with a .wbk extension, in the same folder.
Method 6: Compare with an older copy
If you have an older copy from email, a shared drive, or a colleague, use Review > Compare > Compare. Choose the old file as the original and your current file as the revised document. Word shows every deletion, so you can find the missing text quickly. Our guide on comparing two documents in Word walks through the options.
Prevent it next time
- Save important documents to OneDrive so Version History is always available.
- Turn on File History in Windows to back up your Documents folder automatically.
- Use Track Changes when editing important drafts.
- Save a copy with a new name before major edits.
Frequently asked questions
Can I undo after saving?
Yes, as long as the document is still open. Saving doesn’t clear the undo history. Closing the document does.
Do I need recovery software?
Usually not. Recovery programs are designed for deleted files, not text removed from inside a file that still exists. Try the built-in options first.
Summary
- Press Ctrl + Z if the document is still open.
- Use Version History for OneDrive files.
- Reject tracked deletions.
- Check Previous Versions, Time Machine, or backup copies.
- Compare with an older copy to find what’s missing.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.