Version control is crucial for those sensitive documents that go through various rounds of negotiation. For any person looking at a new version of work, it's not always easy to tell what's changed. That's why we've incorporated comparison functionality into our workflows.
Accessing and comparing the document
Comparison is available where two or more versions of work exist in the system, regardless of whether the edits were made from the Edit document button, or uploaded as an amendment. Here's how to access and compare your files:
Step 1. Open the document from your Document list.
Step 2. Click Compare just above your document's preview.
Step 3. Using the provided checkboxes, click on any two versions of work and click Run comparison.
We'll show you those two versions of work, side by side with any changes highlighted as follows:
Any words or phrases removed between the two versions will be highlighted in red
Any words or phrases added between the two versions will be highlighted in green.
A handy quick-view panel down the centre of the screen will allow you to toggle directly to the changes highlighted in the document.
A handy side-panel will highlight what exactly those text changes were.
Viewing documents on a single page
Our comparison view is designed to allow you to view two documents side-by-side, meaning that identifying changes is easy.
In the event that you'd like to view a single, more recent version of the document for comparison instead, from this screen, you can head to the View menu. Hover over the Mode option, then click Single document view.
Viewing and searching through your compared documents
For each compared document, you have the ability to search through the files with ease using a handy navigation menu at the top of your screen. Use any of the following icons to help search through your document:
Magnifying glass icon - to search, find and toggle between a specific word or phrase in your document
Arrow icons - to toggle between the available pages, also listed next to the arrows
Magnifying glass icons with +/- buttons - to zoom in and out of the document(s), with a dropdown to zoom to a specific percentage or width
Printing, downloading and sharing your compared documents
The results from your comparison tool don't need to be kept to yourself. With the latest upgrade to the comparison functionality, you can print and download your highlighted comparison documents to share with other members of the team, or to send to other stakeholders.
To the top right hand corner of each displayed document, you'll find a menu containing the following options:
Hand icon - the default option used to pan through the document
Mouse icon - allows your mouse to highlight (and copy) text
Print and download icons - used to print or download one of the following options respectively:
Left side (highlighted) - the left side of the screen with highlights
Right side (highlighted) - the right side of the screen with highlights
Side-by-side View - both sides of the screen featured side-by-side
Single Document View - the document you have selected.
Navigating the change list
The change list is featured to the right hand side of your comparison view. It will highlight any added and deleted text between versions, including the difference in character count.
By default, the change list will show all content and styling changes. However, you may opt to change this using the dropdown provided.
Heading back to your document details
Click the Back to document button in the top left corner of your screen once you've finished comparing your documents.
Comparing documents for external users
External users may or may not have access to the comparison tool, depending on whether previous versions of work have been shared with them. You may also like to check out our external counterparty portal view for more details.
Need help comparing documents? Reach out to us via the live chat or email [email protected].