How do I compare two versions of a PDF using Compare Files?

Go to 'All tools' in Acrobat. Select 'Compare files'. Pick your two PDF files (old and new). Choose a comparison mode or 'Compare text only'. Click 'Compare' to see the changes.

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

Comparison Mode What it does. Autodetect Acrobat automatically chooses the best way to compare your files, looking at text, images, and layout. Compare text only Acrobat only checks for changes in the written words. It ignores any pictures or graphics in the documents.

What kind of documents can Compare Files work with, besides general PDFs?

Reports and Spreadsheets: It can compare numerical data and text in these types of documents. Presentation Decks: Useful for checking changes in slides and visual content. Signed Documents: You can compare different versions of a document after it has been signed.

Verify Creative Integrity in Adobe Acrobat — How-to & AI prompts

AI prompts

1 way to ask · copy any one

BImprove — “do it better”When comparing the signed [brief] to the final [package], highlight any scope or messaging…+

When comparing the signed [brief] to the final [package], highlight any scope or messaging changes, capture page-level screenshots of discrepancies, and suggest whether a quick sign-off or reissue is required so Legal and Creative can act fast.

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 Pro on your computer.
2
Go to the Tools pane and select Compare Files.
3
In the Compare Files window, click Select File on the left to choose the older version of your PDF.
4
Click Select File on the right to choose the newer version of your PDF.
5
Click Compare to start the comparison process.
6
Review the summary report that appears, which highlights all text and graphic differences between the two files.
Best practiceFor best results, avoid using scanned PDFs as input, since Acrobat compares text and graphics most accurately with digitally generated files.
7
Use the side-by-side view and navigation tools to examine each change in detail, including both textual edits and visual modifications.
Best practiceYou can focus the comparison on text, graphics, or both by adjusting the settings before running the comparison.

In the appWith the API

After comparing, use the navigation panel to quickly jump between each detected change in your PDFs.

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.

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.

AutodetectA setting that lets Acrobat choose the best way to compare your files.ExampleWith autodetect enabled, the software automatically chose the best settings for comparing the two document versions.

The real tasks

the one, listed here

Compare the signed creative brief to the final ad package to confirm no unauthorized changes slipped in.

FAQ

about this task

Go to 'All tools' in Acrobat.
Select 'Compare files'.
Pick your two PDF files (old and new).
Choose a comparison mode or 'Compare text only'.
Click 'Compare' to see the changes.

Compare Files fails if either PDF has security settings that block comparison. This is because the tool cannot access the content to check for differences. You must remove these protections first to allow the comparison to happen.

Comparison Mode	What it does
Autodetect	Acrobat automatically chooses the best way to compare your files, looking at text, images, and layout.
Compare text only	Acrobat only checks for changes in the written words. It ignores any pictures or graphics in the documents.

Yes, you can use Compare Files to see what changed between signed document versions. This is useful for tracking revisions after a document has been officially signed. Just make sure neither version has security settings that block the comparison.

Reports and Spreadsheets: It can compare numerical data and text in these types of documents.
Presentation Decks: Useful for checking changes in slides and visual content.
Signed Documents: You can compare different versions of a document after it has been signed.

Verify Creative Integrity

When to use it

AI prompts

How to do it

Glossary

The real tasks

Who does this

FAQ

Sources

Adobe help

When it fails