Word’s Compare feature can create a new document showing the differences between two versions while leaving the original files unchanged. It is useful when edits were made outside Track Changes or when you received a revised copy from someone else.
Compare two Word documents
- Open the desktop version of Microsoft Word.
- Select the Review tab.
- Choose Compare, then select the option to compare two versions of a document.
- Choose the original document in the first field.
- Choose the revised document in the second field.
- Open the comparison settings if you need to control whether Word checks formatting, comments, moves, tables, headers, or other changes.
- Start the comparison.
Word normally presents the differences in a new comparison document. Review the revisions before accepting or rejecting them; the comparison result is not proof that every change is intentional or correct.
Compare is different from Combine
Use Compare when you want to see how one version differs from another. Word’s Combine command is intended for bringing revisions from multiple reviewed copies together. For contracts or other sensitive documents, also verify metadata and formatting because visual comparison alone may not reveal every relevant difference.
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
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