> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://documentation.kodelabs.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Draft mode and version history

> Learn how drafts, publishing, and version history let you edit Building BI dashboards without risking the live view.

Draft mode and version history keep dashboard edits safe. Drafts let you change a dashboard privately. Version history stores saved states so you can preview, rename, restore, or publish an earlier version.

Viewers keep seeing the last published dashboard until you publish. That separation is what makes experimentation safe.

## Draft mode

A draft is a private workspace layered over the live dashboard. Each dashboard has one active draft. Selecting `Edit Dashboard` opens that draft.

You can save the draft repeatedly without changing what viewers see. When the work is ready, select `Publish` to push it live.

In edit mode, use `Save as Draft` next to `Publish` in the top right. Confirm in the dialog to keep the changes private.

<Frame caption="Selecting Save as Draft and confirming to keep changes private">
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/kodelabs/B4MTivRlYKOrn2ok/images/kode-os/building-bi/bbi-dashboards-save-as-draft.gif?s=26ac52155b2e4634f0b83332d8f72dbf" alt="Operation Dashboard in edit mode showing Save as Draft next to Publish, then the Draft dashboard confirmation dialog with Not yet and Yes, save draft" width="1850" height="1270" data-path="images/kode-os/building-bi/bbi-dashboards-save-as-draft.gif" />
</Frame>

Drafts belong to the editor. Other users continue to see the published version until you publish. Only one draft version can exist at a time.

## Open version history

Version history is the timeline of saved dashboard states. Each entry includes a date, author, and optional name.

Open the three-dot menu on the dashboard and select `Version history`. History opens in a new tab.

<Frame caption="Opening Version history from the dashboard three-dot menu">
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/kodelabs/B4MTivRlYKOrn2ok/images/kode-os/building-bi/bbi-dashboards-version-history-open.gif?s=e9b39ebd97f678f30651db232fa8048e" alt="Opening a draft dashboard, selecting Version history from the three-dot menu, and loading Version History in a new browser tab" width="694" height="474" data-path="images/kode-os/building-bi/bbi-dashboards-version-history-open.gif" />
</Frame>

You can also open version history from the `Published` / `Draft` status dropdown next to the dashboard name.

## Browse and rename versions

The version history view shows a read-only preview of the selected version on the left. The timeline sits on the right.

Use the list to move between versions. Status labels mark the current published version, earlier published versions, and saved drafts. Turn on `Show named and published versions` to focus the list.

Select the pencil icon on an entry to rename it. Clearing a custom name returns the entry to its timestamp label.

<Frame caption="Version history with a dashboard preview and a timeline of published versions">
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/kodelabs/B4MTivRlYKOrn2ok/images/kode-os/building-bi/bbi-dashboards-version-history.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=B4MTivRlYKOrn2ok&q=85&s=9b8ceaaad33e1b5174259e89d9b4cdcf" alt="Operation Dashboard version history with Cancel and Restore as Draft actions, dashboard preview on the left, and a Version history panel listing Published and Previously Published entries with pencil icons" width="1850" height="1270" data-path="images/kode-os/building-bi/bbi-dashboards-version-history.png" />
</Frame>

## Restore or publish an earlier version

Select a version in the timeline to preview it. When a previous version is selected, you can:

* **Restore as Draft** — copy that version into a new private draft without changing the live dashboard
* **Publish** — make that version live immediately

<Frame caption="Restore as Draft and Publish actions for a selected previous version">
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/kodelabs/B4MTivRlYKOrn2ok/images/kode-os/building-bi/bbi-dashboards-version-restore.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=B4MTivRlYKOrn2ok&q=85&s=58eaf875379243fc4799a7ee4836e54c" alt="Version history header showing Cancel, Restore as Draft, and Publish buttons next to the Version history panel" width="546" height="258" data-path="images/kode-os/building-bi/bbi-dashboards-version-restore.png" />
</Frame>

Restoring as a draft does not overwrite the published dashboard. Publishing the restored draft (or publishing directly from history) adds a new entry to the timeline.

Building BI keeps up to 20 published versions that you can restore. Neither collaborators nor owners can delete a version. Both roles can view history, edit the draft, publish, and restore. For how edit access is granted, see [How Building BI permissions work](/products/building-bi/concepts/how-permissions-work).

## Next steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Dashboards" icon="layout-dashboard" href="/products/building-bi/dashboards#version-history" arrow={true} cta="Open">
    Follow the step-by-step draft, publish, and restore workflows.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Permissions" icon="shield" href="/products/building-bi/concepts/how-permissions-work" arrow={true} cta="Open">
    Learn who can edit, publish, and restore dashboards.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>
