Document Versions

Interleaf QuickSilver Frequently asked questions

Document Versions?

On the desktop, a document appears as a single icon with a label. Underneath the desktop icon, however, QuickSilver can create and maintain up to five different versions of that document both as a safety precaution and to accommodate different working styles.
The five different versions of a document that QuickSilver can create are as follows:

  • a saved version that contains all the changes you last saved
  • a backup version that usually contains the second-to-last changes you saved
  • a work-in-progress version that contains the last changes that have been put on hold but not saved
  • a checkpoint version that QuickSilver produces periodically as a safety mechanism; the checkpoint version includes all unsaved changes since the last Save command or checkpoint save was executed
  • a crash version that contains the changes you last saved from the Crash message box when QuickSilver shut down unexpectedly


NOTE: You can use the Cleanup command on the Admin submenu of the desktop Tools menu to remove backup and checkpoint files from a directory.

The Saved and Backup Files
When you create a document on your desktop, QuickSilver creates a corresponding saved file. Initially, this saved file consists only of whatever was in the default document in your Create cabinet, usually some structural information, such as the dimensions and margins of the page, and the masters for the default components, frames, and autonumber streams.
When you choose Save from the File menu, the existing contents of the open document, including any changes you made, become the new saved file; the previous saved file becomes the backup file.
As you work on the document and save it, this process continues. If the Revert to submenu shows that saved and backup files exist, the saved file is always the most recent save you have made, and the backup file is usually the second-most recent save you have made.

The Checkpoint File
As you work in a document, QuickSilver creates a checkpoint file whenever you have typed a certain number of keystrokes. For text entry, the default number of keystrokes ranges from 3,000 to 7,000, depending on the document length. When you are working in graphics, the mouse movements are also figured into this keystroke total.
You can use the Preferences dialog box to adjust the frequency with which checkpoint files are saved.
If there is a checkpoint file, it is a more recent version of your document than the saved, work-in-progress, or backup files. When you save or hold a document, the checkpoint file is automatically deleted because it is superseded by a more recent saved file or a work-in-progress file.

The Crash File
If you experience a crash, the Interrupt message box automatically appears. The File option on this message box allows you to save documents in a special file called a crash file. To save the changes in any open documents on your desktop, choose File on the message box before you choose Exit; Exit immediately takes you out of QuickSilver.
If you have more than one document open when you choose File, an additional message asks you if you want to save a crash file for each document you have changed.

The Work-in-Progress File
You can create a work-in-progress file in the following manner:

  • First, choose Close from the File menu in a document you have modified but not saved.
  • Then, choose Hold in the message box that appears.


In addition, work-in-progress files are created automatically when you open more documents than the number specified for Maximum number of open documents in the QuickSilver Preferences dialog box.
The work-in-progress file stores all changes made since you last saved. By holding changes in a work-in-progress file, you do not affect the saved file.
When you open a document containing a work-in-progress file, QuickSilver automatically opens that version. You can then save, delete, or edit the work-in-progress file.

The Revert To Submenu
The Revert to submenu on the File menu provides a way for you to display the saved, backup, work-in-progress, checkpoint, and crash files associated with a document.
The Revert to submenu lists only the file versions available for document.

  • Choose Saved to open the last version you saved.
  • Choose Backup to open the version saved just previous to the most recent saved version.
  • Choose Work-in-Progress to open the version that you chose to put on hold (only available if there is a work-in-progress file).
  • Choose Checkpoint to open the most recent automatically saved file (only available if QuickSilver has made a checkpoint file since the last save).


NOTE: You can use the Revert to submenu on the File menu to browse through as many of the versions of a document as you like, but once you save your document, the version you save becomes the saved file. The next time you look at the Revert to submenu, all versions other than the saved and backup versions are dimmed.

To Access Different Document Versions
When you modify a document and choose Revert to from the File menu without first saving your changes, a message box appears. The message box allows you to save the changes by choosing Cancel and following a series of steps, or delete the changes by choosing Revert to on the message box.

To use Revert after modifying a document:

  • Choose a command from the Revert to submenu of the File menu.
    A message box says that you will lose your unsaved changes and gives you a chance to cancel the Revert command.
  • Click Revert.
    The document changes to the version you selected. All modifications that you did not save are permanently lost.


To close and save a document after using Revert:

  • Choose Close from the File menu.
    A message box gives you a chance to save the current version (or hold in a work-in-progress file).
  • Click Save (or Hold).
    The current version is saved (or held in a work-in-progress file), and the document closes.
    OR... Click Close.
    The current version is discarded and the document closes.
    OR... Click Cancel.
    The close operation is canceled.


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