Is there a way to update sharepoint without version changes

[dextoar]

I am trying to do some things with a sharepoint list with flows that update every night but I am worried about these minor changes to file properties causing us to not be able to access actual document changes overtime. 

Does anyone know a way to have properties of a file updated without changes to file history? 

[wskinnermctc]

You can use HTTP requests to update items without changing the versioning.

I'm not an expert in using this function, but I did use it here when Updating a Document Set in this post. I was using AddValidateUpdateItemUsingPath which would either add or update an item. I was creating items, so I never really used it for specifically updating.

There was a setting in the body of the http request bNewDocumentUpdate to true which would not change the version.

Microsoft Learn Working With List Items REST API

Here is an example I just found that is updating list items using validateUpdateListItem.

Uri: 
_api/web/lists/GetByTitle('<ListName>')/items(<ItemID>)/validateUpdateListItem

Body:
{
    "formValues":[
	{
	    "FieldName": "<FieldToUpdate>",
	    "FieldValue": "<ValueToUpdate>"
	}
    ],
"bNewDocumentUpdate": true
}

Another Example Link Here.

If you have multiple items you can use a Batch REST API

I would check out @takolota instructions about Batch Update, Create, SharePoint Lists

This isn't an exact answer but hopefully it will get you looking in the right direction. Or maybe some other person will see this post and give more clear guidance.

[dextoar]

Definitely is helpful and points me towards a potential solution. Thank you!

[subsguts]

Unfortunately, this will not work on SP Lists, only on documents.  It will always update the Modified and Modified By.  If someone can prove that this is not the case, that would be great, but I've spent several days on this and am convinced that this does NOT work to keep these from being updated when you update a field in your SharePoint list.

[wskinnermctc · Accepted solution]

@subsguts with the bNewDocumentUpdate setting in a HTTP request, it will determine if the Version is changed. So the Version going from 1.0 to 2.0 to 3.0 for each update. You can use the setting to update an item, but have the version remain 1.0 but the modified datetime will change.

I think you are correct that an item will always have the Modified datetime changed with any update to a document or item. It is only the Version that can be controlled with bNewDocumentUpdate. OP of this post said Version so I was answering for that specific property.

Here is a good reference post @Expiscornovus made here about changes to Major or Minor Versions and you can see the modified datetime changes in his screenshots while the Version stays the same.

[subsguts]

Thank you!  I just determined this myself and yet there are so many before us that have taken this as a way to get around the "Modified" and "Modified By" being updated and I just realized and confirmed today as you have stated so well, these field are just not updatable and that like ID, Sharepoint will change them no matter what.  The only solution is to create your own MyModifed and MyModifedBy fields and use those instead and then you can control the contents through the user interface, etc.

I'm glad you posted this for future people who believe there is a way to avoid having SP update the Modified and ModifiedBy because I don't believe there is a way to avoid this from happening automatically.