To compare two Word documents, you can use Microsoft Word's built-in Compare feature, which highlights differences between the original and revised versions. Here's how to do it:
Using Microsoft Word's Compare Feature
- Open Microsoft Word (you don't need to open the documents themselves).
- Go to the Review tab on the ribbon.
- Click Compare , then select Compare Documents.
- In the dialog box, select the Original document and the Revised document by browsing to their locations.
- Click OK.
Word will create a new document showing the differences with revision marks, such as insertions, deletions, and formatting changes, while leaving the original documents unchanged
Additional Tips:
- You can adjust comparison settings by clicking More in the Compare dialog to choose whether to compare formatting, case changes, or changes at the character or word level
- The compared document shows changes in a new file, allowing you to review and save the comparison separately.
- Use the Reviewing Pane to see a list of changes and jump to them quickly
Alternative Methods
- View Side by Side : Open both documents, then go to the View tab and select View Side by Side to manually compare them visually
- Online Tools : Websites like Draftable or Copyleaks offer free online comparison tools where you upload both Word files and get a highlighted comparison showing differences in text and formatting
Summary
The most efficient and detailed method is using Word's built-in Compare tool under the Review tab, which automatically highlights all differences and lets you save the results for further review
