How do I compare two signed PDF versions in Adobe Acrobat?

Open All tools in Acrobat. Select Compare files. Pick your old and new signed PDFs. Choose the right mode for your documents. Click Compare to see the differences.

If my signed PDF has security settings, what should I do before using Compare files?

Check if the PDF is protected or locked. Remove any password or security settings. Make sure both files are unprotected before comparing.

How is comparing text only different from comparing the whole PDF?

Compare text only Compare whole PDF. Only looks at words and letters. Checks words, graphics, and layout. Ignores pictures or charts. Shows changes to images and design too.

Compare Signed Versions in Adobe Acrobat — How-to & AI prompts

AI prompts

3 ways to ask · copy any one

AExecute — “help me do it”Two signed PDFs of the vendor agreement exist: [agreement=VendorAgreement_signed_A.pdf] and…+

Two signed PDFs of the vendor agreement exist: [agreement=VendorAgreement_signed_A.pdf] and [agreement=VendorAgreement_signed_B.pdf]. Compare them and list any differences in payment terms, dates, signatures, and attachments so I know which one to archive as final by [deadline=Friday].

when the reply comes backPush once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part, and to say what it assumed.

BImprove — “do it better”Procurement will refuse version uncertainty. Compare [agreement=VendorAgreement_signed_A.pdf]…+

Procurement will refuse version uncertainty. Compare [agreement=VendorAgreement_signed_A.pdf] and [agreement=VendorAgreement_signed_B.pdf], highlight any edits to payment schedule, termination clauses, signature blocks, and appended exhibits, and produce a short audit note naming which [party]’s signatory is on each and which seems to be the negotiated final. Flag anything that needs legal recheck before I mark it final.

when the reply comes backPush once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part, and to say what it assumed.

CDecide — “help me choose”We received two signed copies of the same [agreement] with small wording differences and the…+

We received two signed copies of the same [agreement] with small wording differences and the [vendor] insists both are valid. I’m worried about which to accept because only one set of payment dates matches our invoice schedule and I don’t want finance to pay against the wrong terms. Compare both signed versions, explain what changed (especially payments, deliverables, and signature dates), recommend which to accept as final, and tell me what language to ask the vendor to confirm if we need a single authoritative document.

when the reply comes backPush once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part, and to say what it assumed.

How to do it

the tool · the steps · what to avoid

1
Open Adobe Acrobat on your computer.
2
Go to Tools and select Compare Files.
3
Click Select File under 'Compare' and choose your first PDF (the older or original version).
4
Click Select File under 'With' and choose your second PDF (the newer or revised version).
5
Click Compare to start the comparison.
6
Review the results in the comparison summary and use the side-by-side view to examine highlighted differences.
Best practiceFor best results, avoid using scanned PDFs as input files, as text recognition may be inconsistent.

In the appWith the API

You can filter the comparison results to focus on text, images, or formatting changes for a clearer review.

This runs in the Acrobat app - there is no separate API for this task.

Glossary

words on this page

Signed PDFA PDF document that has a digital signature added to show who approved it.ExampleThe Signed PDF of the invoice was sent to the client as proof of approval.

Compare filesThis feature shows you the differences between two PDF documents.

Security settingsThese are protections on a PDF that stop people from changing or comparing it.

FAQ

about this task

Open All tools in Acrobat.
Select Compare files.
Pick your old and new signed PDFs.
Choose the right mode for your documents.
Click Compare to see the differences.

The 'Compare files' feature in Adobe Acrobat checks two PDF documents and shows what is different between them. This is useful because it saves time and helps you find changes, mistakes, or updates, especially in important documents like contracts or signed agreements. It gives you a clear summary and lets you jump to each change, so you do not miss anything.

Check if the PDF is protected or locked.
Remove any password or security settings.
Make sure both files are unprotected before comparing.

Acrobat cannot compare PDF files that have security settings because these settings block the tool from reading or analyzing the content. To compare, you must remove all protection first, so the tool can check every part of both files.

Compare text only	Compare whole PDF
Only looks at words and letters.	Checks words, graphics, and layout.
Ignores pictures or charts.	Shows changes to images and design too.

Compare Signed Versions

When to use it

AI prompts

How to do it

Glossary

The real tasks

FAQ

Sources

Adobe help

When it fails