Can I compare a Word document with a PDF?

Yes. In the 'Compare' dialogue box, you can select a PDF file as either the original or revised document. Word will convert the PDF to a text-based format to perform the comparison, though formatting may not be perfectly preserved.

What is the difference between Compare and Combine?

The 'Compare' feature is for two versions of the same file created by different people to see what changed. The 'Combine' feature is used when multiple authors have all edited their own copies of the same document with track changes on, and you want to merge all their specific markups into one master file.

Why is the Compare button greyed out?

The Compare feature is often disabled if the document is protected, marked as final, or if you are currently in the middle of an active mail merge. Ensure your documents are saved locally and are not 'Read Only' before trying again.

Blog · DocumentChecker

Comparing two versions of a Word document without track changes

14 August 2026 · 3 min read

It is a common frustration: you receive a revised document only to find the author did not use track changes. Manually reading both versions side-by-side to find edits is time-consuming and prone to error. Fortunately, Microsoft Word includes a built-in feature designed specifically to compare two separate files and generate a third document showing all deletions, insertions, and formatting updates.

Using the built-in Compare tool in Word

Microsoft Word has a dedicated 'Compare' function that acts as an automated auditor. It takes two distinct files—your original and the revised version—and identifies every discrepancy between them. This is the most reliable method for spotting 'hidden' edits that were made while track changes was disabled.

To begin, open Microsoft Word and navigate to the 'Review' tab on the top ribbon. Look for the 'Compare' group and click the 'Compare' button, then select 'Compare...' from the dropdown menu. This will open a dialogue box where you can select your two files.

Select your 'Original document' in the left-hand field.
Select the 'Revised document' in the right-hand field.
Click 'More' to customise what Word looks for, such as formatting, white space, or footer changes.
Ensure 'Show changes in' is set to 'New document' to keep your original files intact.
Click OK to generate a third document highlighting all differences in red.

Reviewing the generated comparison

Once the comparison is complete, Word opens a new window showing three panes. The centre pane displays the 'Compared Document', which looks like a standard document with track changes enabled. Red lines in the margin indicate where text has been modified, and strikethroughs show what was deleted.

On the right, you will often see the original and revised documents in smaller windows for reference. You can scroll through these simultaneously to verify context. Once you have reviewed the differences, you can save this third document as a record of all the changes made between the two versions.

When to use professional comparison tools

While the built-in Word tool is sufficient for basic prose, it can struggle with complex layouts, large tables, or nested data. If you are comparing highly technical schedules, legal contracts, or spreadsheets where precision is a legal requirement, you may need a more robust solution.

For those who need to verify data beyond simple word processing, Jittan offers DocumentChecker. It allows you to compare documents, schedules, and source files to spot mismatches, omissions, and accuracy issues that standard office software might overlook. This is particularly useful for freelancers and brokers who handle high volumes of critical documentation.

Comparing two versions of a Word document without track changes is a straightforward process using the Compare tool under the Review tab. This ensures you never miss a manual edit, regardless of how the files were handled.

Quick answers

Can I compare a Word document with a PDF?: Yes. In the 'Compare' dialogue box, you can select a PDF file as either the original or revised document. Word will convert the PDF to a text-based format to perform the comparison, though formatting may not be perfectly preserved.
What is the difference between Compare and Combine?: The 'Compare' feature is for two versions of the same file created by different people to see what changed. The 'Combine' feature is used when multiple authors have all edited their own copies of the same document with track changes on, and you want to merge all their specific markups into one master file.
Why is the Compare button greyed out?: The Compare feature is often disabled if the document is protected, marked as final, or if you are currently in the middle of an active mail merge. Ensure your documents are saved locally and are not 'Read Only' before trying again.