How do I use Compare Files to check changes in a report?

First, click 'All tools' and then 'Compare files'. Next, select your old report PDF and your new report PDF. Choose 'Reports/Spreadsheets' as the comparison mode. Click 'Compare' to see the differences highlighted.

What is the difference between 'Autodetect' and 'Compare text only' in Compare Files?

Feature What it does When to use it. Autodetect Automatically chooses the best comparison method for your files (text, images, layout). When you want a complete review and are unsure of the file type, or for general comparisons. Compare text only Ignores all graphics and pictures, focusing only on words and numbers. When you only care about text changes, like in a legal document or a report, and want to ignore image edits.

Conflicting Marketing vs Packaging in Adobe Acrobat — How-to & AI prompts

AI prompts

1 way to ask · copy any one

DBecome — “help me grow”Across the last ten packaging jobs, reconciling look, copy, and dielines added five rework days…+

Across the last ten packaging jobs, reconciling look, copy, and dielines added five rework days on average. Diagnose the sending and comment collection pattern that causes most delays and recommend one habitual change—how I name files, who I ask to annotate, and the minimal checklist to include—so I can reconcile inputs without another late review meeting.

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

Compare FilesThis tool helps you find differences between two similar PDF documents.ExampleYou use this tool to quickly spot the differences between an original and a revised PDF document.

Comparison ModeA setting that tells Acrobat how to look for differences in different types of documents.ExampleYou choose 'Text Only' comparison mode when comparing two versions of a contract.

Security SettingsRules that protect a PDF file, like preventing changes or copying.ExampleThe security settings on the PDF prevented anyone from printing or copying its contents.

Who does this

3 roles

EditorLegal AssistantProject Manager

FAQ

about this task

First, click 'All tools' and then 'Compare files'.
Next, select your old report PDF and your new report PDF.
Choose 'Reports/Spreadsheets' as the comparison mode.
Click 'Compare' to see the differences highlighted.

The 'Autodetect' mode in Compare Files is a smart setting that tries to figure out the best way to compare your two PDF files by itself. It matters because it saves you time by automatically picking the right comparison method, whether your files are mostly text, images, or a mix. This helps ensure you get the most accurate results without needing to guess which mode to use.

No, comparing signed document versions in Acrobat will not affect the signatures themselves. The Compare Files tool is designed to show you the differences between the content of the documents. It helps you track changes made to the text or visuals, even if the documents have been signed, without altering the validity of the signatures.

Compare Files shows this message because one or both of your PDF documents have security settings turned on. These settings protect the file by stopping certain actions, like comparing its content. To use the comparison tool, you must first remove these security settings from both files. This ensures Acrobat can access and analyze the content freely.

Feature	What it does	When to use it
Autodetect	Automatically chooses the best comparison method for your files (text, images, layout).	When you want a complete review and are unsure of the file type, or for general comparisons.
Compare text only	Ignores all graphics and pictures, focusing only on words and numbers.	When you only care about text changes, like in a legal document or a report, and want to ignore image edits.

Conflicting Marketing vs Packaging

When to use it

AI prompts

How to do it

Glossary

The real tasks

Who does this

FAQ

Sources

Adobe help

When it fails