How do I know I am using the most up-to-date print version and PDF format of the OpenStax textbook?

How Do I Know If I Have the Most Current Revision of My Book?

We periodically create new revisions of our print and PDF formats between editions to reflect pedagogical and errata updates.

To ensure you use the most up-to-date version of your book's PDF or print format, you can compare the revision number in your copy with the revision number in the PDF downloaded from your book's Details page on openstax.org. The PDF download from your book's Details page will always be the most current PDF revision available. If the numbers match, you are all set.

This article will show you how to locate the revision number in your book's front matter, interpret these details, and find Errata Release Notes for new revisions.

Locating and Reading Revision Numbers

In print and PDF formats, revision numbers are listed in the front matter underneath the publisher and ISBN information, typically on the 4th page. Here is an example from our current College Success PDF.

Under the Original Publication Year, you will see the revision number and the year it was revised. In this example, College Success is on revision number 2 and was revised in 2023. While the information in the example above is specific to College Success, all revision numbers use the same format.

Errata Release Notes

If you are using an older revision of your book, we have created Errata Release Notes that will walk you through the changes made to the new revision chapter by chapter. You can use this guide to modify course planning if needed. If a new revision has been created for your book, Errata Release Notes will appear on the book's Instructor Resources tab on openstax.org.

Here's an example of the Errata Release Notes from College Success: