Never risk working on the outdated version of a document again. Quickly and accurately identify the differences between two PDF files using Adobe Acrobat’s robust “Compare Files” tool. This essential feature significantly streamlines document review processes, ensuring accuracy and efficiency.
When documents undergo multiple revisions, it’s easy for crucial changes to be overlooked. However, with the Compare Files tool in Adobe Acrobat Pro, you can effortlessly compare text and graphics to catch every modification. This powerful feature isn’t limited to PDFs; it can also compare files like Word documents or PowerPoint presentations after they’ve been converted to PDF format.
Let’s explore how to use this feature. Imagine you have two versions of a presentation. To begin, locate and select Compare Files from the Tools pane in Acrobat Pro. This action will open the Compare Files dialog, where your currently open documents will be automatically selected for comparison. If needed, you can easily switch the designated older and newer versions using the provided arrow buttons.
Accurate comparison hinges on correct settings. Since we are comparing two PowerPoint files converted to PDF, selecting “presentation deck” from the settings is appropriate. For documents primarily composed of text, such as lengthy contracts, the “Compare text only” option is invaluable. This setting focuses solely on textual changes, disregarding layout differences, making it ideal for pinpointing word alterations.
Upon initiating the comparison, Adobe Acrobat generates a new PDF file entitled Compare Report. This report presents the two documents side-by-side, accompanied by a summary of changes and a detailed comparison of the results. Navigating through the detected changes is straightforward. By clicking on the “first change” marker, you are directed to the initial difference identified. In our example, this reveals a text modification. Continuing to the next change using the down arrow, we observe added punctuation. The tool’s precision extends to graphic elements; the subsequent change highlights a color modification within an image, demonstrating its ability to flag even pixel-level image alterations. This thoroughness ensures no change goes unnoticed.
The generated PDF report is easily shareable with team members, providing a clear, side-by-side visualization of all document revisions. By integrating the Compare Files functionality into your document review workflows, your organization can achieve more efficient processes and enhanced quality assurance.
This video tutorial is part of the comprehensive playlist “Perform Advanced Tasks in Adobe Acrobat” available for free on Experience League, offering further learning opportunities.
Note: The Compare Files tool is exclusively available in Adobe Acrobat Pro.
