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How to compare two Word documents side by side with the built-in compare feature
Use Word's built-in Compare tool to see every word someone replaced, added or deleted between an original document and a revised version, even if Track Changes was never turned on.
By Nur Islam- 2:19 video
- 3 steps
- 5.9K views
Jump to a step (3)
When a contract, proposal or policy comes back from a reviewer, you need to know exactly what changed. Reading both versions line by line is slow and easy to get wrong, and Track Changes only helps if the other person turned it on.
Compare takes two Word files and builds a third view: a revisions list on the left, a combined document with the changes marked in the middle, and the original and revised documents side by side on the right. It is built into Word, so there is no extra software or online upload.
What you need
- Microsoft Word (desktop)
- The original document and the revised version saved as separate files
Step by step
0 of 3 done-
01
Open Compare in Word
Open a new blank Word document. Go to the
Reviewtab, selectCompareand thenCompare...from the menu. -
02
Choose the original and revised files
Under
Original document, browse to the original file. UnderRevised document, browse to the newer version.Label changes withfills in the revised document's author. Keep it or type another name so you can tell who made the changes. SelectOK. -
03
Review the changes
The
Revisionspane on the left counts and lists every change (18 in the first demo document). Select a revision to jump to it, for exampleReplaced recognize with acknowledge.On the right, the original and revised documents scroll together so you can see each change in context. Added words and deleted words are listed separately, as in the second demo where a word was added and two words were deleted.
Tips and common problems
- Compare works even if Track Changes was off while the other person edited.
- Start from a blank document. Word creates a new comparison document and leaves both files unchanged.
- Use Label changes with to name the reviewer so the revisions list is easy to read.
Questions
How do I compare two versions of a Word document?
In Word go to Review > Compare > Compare, choose the original document and the revised document, and select OK. Word lists every change and shows both versions side by side.
Can Word show changes if Track Changes was not turned on?
Yes. Compare finds the differences between any two Word files, whether or not Track Changes was on.
