Published protocols are automatically versioned in eLabProtocols. On creation, all protocols are initially stored as editable drafts. When the draft is finalized and published for use, a new version of the protocol is created and stored in the protocol's version history. Users can create a new draft in order to update the protocol's contents, and each published draft will be added as a new version to the history.






Only the most recent active version of a protocol is available as a template for experiments. If a new draft of the protocol is opened, the latest active version of the protocol will remain active and available for use to ensure that the update process does not prevent access to the protocol. Users can view the version history of a protocol by clicking the History icon inline with the protocol on the Protocol List page.






In the pop-up window, users can compare changes made between any two versions of the protocol. Additionally, they can click Restore this version to restore a previous version of the protocol as the latest active version. Note: restoring a previous protocol version is treated as the creation of a new protocol version. The previous version's content is copied and assigned its own unique version number.