How do I compare two versions of a PDF document?

First, open Acrobat and go to 'All tools'. Select 'Compare files'. Choose your old and new PDF files. Acrobat will then show you a summary of the changes. You can use the 'Previous Change' and 'Next Change' buttons to review each difference.

What are the different modes available when using Compare Files?

Autodetect: Acrobat tries to figure out the best way to compare. Reports/Spreadsheets: Good for documents with lots of numbers and tables. Presentation Decks: Best for slides or presentations. 'Compare text only': Ignores pictures and only checks words.

Accumulating Policy Versions in Adobe Acrobat — How-to & AI prompts

AI prompts

1 way to ask · copy any one

DBecome — “help me grow”In the last [months=18] we've had [count=3] audit comments about mismatched policy versions.…+

In the last [months=18] we've had [count=3] audit comments about mismatched policy versions. Identify the recurring failure points in how policies are stored and labeled, then propose one lifecycle policy (versioning, archiving cadence, owner responsibility) that would prevent those audit findings going forward and describe how we enforce it operationally.

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

Policy VersionsDifferent drafts or editions of a document that explains rules or plans.ExampleThe HR department updated the employee handbook, creating new policy versions for 2024.

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.

Who does this

3 roles

EditorLegal AssistantProject Manager

FAQ

about this task

First, open Acrobat and go to 'All tools'.
Select 'Compare files'.
Choose your old and new PDF files.
Acrobat will then show you a summary of the changes.
You can use the 'Previous Change' and 'Next Change' buttons to review each difference.

Comparing text only means Acrobat will only look for changes in words. It will ignore any pictures or graphics in the documents. This is useful when you only care about text edits, like in a legal contract or a report, and not visual changes.

Acrobat cannot compare files that have security settings because these settings prevent the program from reading or changing the document's content. To use Compare Files, you must first remove any protection from both PDF files. This allows Acrobat to access and analyze the content for differences.

Autodetect: Acrobat tries to figure out the best way to compare.
Reports/Spreadsheets: Good for documents with lots of numbers and tables.
Presentation Decks: Best for slides or presentations.
'Compare text only': Ignores pictures and only checks words.

Comparing signed document versions specifically helps you see changes made after a digital signature was applied. This is important for legal or official documents where signatures confirm agreement on a specific version. Regular comparison just shows all differences between any two files, but comparing signed versions focuses on the integrity of the document post-signature, ensuring no unauthorized changes occurred. It helps maintain trust in digitally signed records.

Accumulating Policy Versions

When to use it

AI prompts

How to do it

Glossary

The real tasks

Who does this

FAQ

Sources

Adobe help

When it fails