How to Save & Edit PDF Revision History in C#

How Do I Save and Sign a PDF Revision Iteration?

In the following example, we open a PDF file, make various edits, then sign it before saving. For signature permissions, we allow only form-filling as future edits; otherwise, the signature will be invalidated from any other edit.

We then call SaveAsRevision to save the revision to the history and save our new document to disk. This approach is useful when implementing digital signature workflows in enterprise applications where document integrity and audit trails are critical.

:path=/static-assets/pdf/content-code-examples/how-to/signing-revision.cs

using IronPdf;
using IronPdf.Rendering;

// Import PDF and enable TrackChanges
PdfDocument pdf = PdfDocument.FromFile("annual_census.pdf", TrackChanges: ChangeTrackingModes.EnableChangeTracking);
// ... various edits ...
pdf.SignWithFile("/assets/IronSignature.p12", "password", null, IronPdf.Signing.SignaturePermissions.AdditionalSignaturesAndFormFillingAllowed);

PdfDocument pdfWithRevision = pdf.SaveAsRevision();

pdfWithRevision.SaveAs("annual_census_2.pdf");

The ChangeTrackingModes.EnableChangeTracking parameter is essential for maintaining a complete audit trail. When enabled, IronPDF preserves all document modifications as separate layers, allowing navigation through the document's history. This feature integrates with PDF security and permissions to ensure that only authorized users can access specific revisions.

How Do I Roll Back to an Old Revision?

To roll back to a previous revision of a PDF, use the GetRevision method. This will forget any changes made since this revision, including newer signatures. This functionality is essential when you need to recover from unwanted changes or when reviewing the document's evolution over time.

:path=/static-assets/pdf/content-code-examples/how-to/signing-revert-revision.cs

using IronPdf;

PdfDocument pdf = PdfDocument.FromFile("report.pdf");

int versions = pdf.RevisionCount; // total revisions

PdfDocument rolledBackPdf = pdf.GetRevision(2);
rolledBackPdf.SaveAs("report-draft.pdf");

The GetRevision method creates a new PDF document instance containing only the content up to the specified revision number. This is useful in scenarios where:

• You need to compare different versions of a document
• A signature has been invalidated due to unauthorized changes
• You want to branch off from an earlier version for a different approval workflow
• You need to demonstrate compliance by showing document state at a specific point in time

When working with revisions, rolling back doesn't affect the original PDF file – it creates a new document instance. This approach maintains data integrity while providing flexibility in managing document versions. For more advanced PDF manipulation techniques, explore IronPDF's comprehensive editing capabilities.

Best Practices for Managing PDF Revisions

When implementing revision history in your applications, consider these best practices:

1. Always Enable Change Tracking: Set TrackChanges: ChangeTrackingModes.EnableChangeTracking when opening PDFs that require revision history.

2. Document Your Revision Strategy: Maintain clear documentation about when and why revisions are saved, especially in multi-user environments.

3. Implement Access Controls: Combine revision history with PDF permissions and passwords to ensure only authorized users can create or access specific revisions.

4. Regular Exports: Periodically export important revisions to separate files for long-term archival.

5. Test Signature Compatibility: Test how different signature permissions interact with your revision workflow to avoid unexpected invalidations.

By following these practices and leveraging IronPDF's revision management features, you can create sophisticated document workflows that maintain complete audit trails while ensuring document integrity throughout the collaboration process. For more information on implementing these features in your applications, review the comprehensive IronPDF documentation or explore licensing options for your enterprise needs.