Fix Word Showing Linked Images as Changes During Document Comparison
Question details
The user wants to understand why Microsoft Word highlights linked images as tracked changes during document comparison when the visual image content has not been altered, and how to prevent this behavior.
- Product
- Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Comparing two versions of a Word document that contain linked or high-resolution images.
- Observed behavior
- Word marks unchanged linked images as modifications or tracked changes, likely due to background link refreshes, synchronization, or file compression differences.
Verify whether the images in your document are inserted as external links (e.g., from SharePoint or web URLs) or fully embedded in the file, as linked images are more susceptible to background data changes.
Change Image Compression to High Fidelity
Prevent Word from altering the binary data of images upon saving, which stops the comparison tool from flagging them as false changes.
Word's comparison tool does not analyze visual pixels like a dedicated image editor. Instead, it checks the underlying file data and link text. If AutoSave, OneDrive synchronization, or default compression alters the background data of linked high-resolution images, Word recognizes it as a change.
Click on 'File' in the top-left corner of Microsoft Word and select 'Options' at the bottom of the menu.
In the Word Options dialog box, click on 'Advanced' in the left pane and scroll down to the 'Image Size and Quality' section.
Check the box next to 'Do not compress images in file'.
Click the 'Default resolution' dropdown menu and select 'High fidelity', then click 'OK' to apply the changes before comparing the documents again.
Embed Images Directly into the Document
Convert linked images to embedded objects to prevent background link refreshes from triggering false changes during comparison.
Experience Flawless Document Comparison with WPS Office
If Microsoft Word's comparison tool continues to flag unchanged linked images due to background synchronization, consider using WPS Office Writer. It offers a precise, lightweight document comparison feature that accurately identifies actual text and format changes without unnecessary data conflicts.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website to download and install the free WPS Office suite.
- 2. Open Your Documents: Launch WPS Writer and open the original and revised versions of your document.
- 3. Run Document Comparison: Navigate to the 'Review' tab and click 'Compare' to analyze the differences without false image change flags.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Word track changes on images that look exactly the same?
Word compares the underlying file data or link paths, not the visual pixels. If an image is linked to an internal server like SharePoint or compressed by Word upon saving, its background data changes. Word's comparison tool detects this underlying data shift as a modification.
Does AutoSave affect how Word compares documents with linked images?
Yes. Features like AutoSave and OneDrive synchronization can refresh linked image fields in the background. When Word opens or saves the document, this refreshed data may differ slightly from previous versions, triggering a false change during comparison.
How can I compare only the text in Word and ignore image changes?
When initiating a comparison via Review > Compare, click on 'More' in the Compare Documents dialog box. Under the 'Comparison settings' section, you can uncheck 'Formatting' or specific object elements if you only want to focus on structural text modifications.
