Track document edit frequency

To track document edit frequency effectively, you can implement a system that records each time a document is modified. Here are several approaches depending on the environment and tools you are using:

1. Using Version Control (e.g., Git)

If your documents are plain text (e.g., Markdown, HTML, DOCX converted to text):

• Initialize a Git repository in your document folder.

• Each time you make an edit, commit the changes.

• Use the command git log to see the edit history.

• Use git shortlog -s or custom scripts to count edits per document or author.

This is ideal for collaborative environments or content stored as code-like files.

2. Google Docs or Microsoft Word Online

If you use cloud-based editors:

• Google Docs:

  • Go to File > Version history > See version history.

  • Each saved version represents an edit.

  • You can export version data via the Google Docs API to track edit frequency programmatically.

• Microsoft Word (OneDrive/Office 365):

  • Version history is accessible via File > Info > Version History.

  • Use Microsoft Graph API for automation and frequency tracking.

3. Using a CMS or Web Platform

If you’re using a CMS like WordPress:

• Use plugins such as Simple History, WP Activity Log, or Revisionize to track when content is edited.

• These plugins often display timestamps and user actions, which can be filtered to count edit frequency.

4. Manual Tracking via Timestamps

If you don’t use Git or a CMS:

• Maintain a log (CSV or database) with:

  • Document name/ID

  • Edit timestamp

  • Editor (optional)

• Create a script (Python, etc.) that appends a new log entry every time an edit occurs.

Example schema:

sql
CopyEdit
| Document ID | Edit Timestamp       | Editor       |
|-------------|----------------------|--------------|
| 001         | 2025-05-18 13:05:22  | Alice        |
| 001         | 2025-05-19 10:45:00  | Bob          |

5. Automated Edit Monitoring (Advanced)

For enterprise solutions or large-scale tracking:

• Use a document management system (DMS) like SharePoint, Alfresco, or DocuWare.

• These systems track edit events, access logs, and provide APIs for custom reporting.

Summary Table

If you let me know what platform or document format you are using, I can tailor the solution more specifically.