Version History Issues

How to Compare Two Word Documents to See Added Lines

Jason Miller Oct 22, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to compare an original and a revised version of a Word document to find specifically what text or lines have been added.

How to Compare Two Word Documents to See Added Lines

Product: Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Reviewing a large document to track modifications, specifically looking for new lines added between two different file versions.
Observed behavior: The user wants a consolidated view showing inserted, deleted, and modified text without relying solely on the Track Changes feature.

Before you start

Ensure you have both the original and the revised versions of the document saved locally on your computer with easily distinguishable file names.

Solution 1Recommended

Use the Compare Documents Command

The most accurate way to find differences between two files is by using the built-in Compare tool, which creates a third document highlighting all additions and deletions.

While Track Changes is useful during the writing process, it only helps if it was turned on before edits were made. If you receive a revised document without tracked changes, the Compare feature is the perfect solution for identifying added lines.

Open the Review tab

Launch your word processor, open a blank document or one of the files, and navigate to the 'Review' tab located on the top ribbon.

Select the Compare option

In the Compare group, click on the 'Compare' button and select 'Compare...' from the drop-down menu.

Choose the original and revised documents

In the dialog box that appears, select your older file under 'Original document' on the left, and your newer file under 'Revised document' on the right.

Generate the comparison

Click 'OK'. The software will generate a new document that displays the original text alongside clear markups of all inserted, deleted, and modified lines.

Filter Changes: Before clicking 'OK', you can click 'More' in the Compare dialog box to uncheck 'Formatting' or 'White space' if you only want to focus on added text lines.

Built-in Comparison Tools

Easily Compare Document Versions with WPS Office

WPS Writer offers a powerful and intuitive Document Compare tool that allows you to instantly identify added lines, deletions, and modifications between two files, helping you review large documents effortlessly.

1. Launch WPS Writer: Open WPS Office and start the WPS Writer application.
2. Access the Compare Tool: Navigate to the 'Review' tab on the top ribbon menu and click on the 'Compare' button.
3. Select Your Documents: Browse your computer to select your original document and the revised document you wish to check.
4. Review the Markups: Click 'OK' to instantly view a generated file where all added lines are underlined and color-coded for quick review.

Accurately detects inserted text, deleted paragraphs, and formatting changesFully compatible with Microsoft Word formats (.doc, .docx)Provides a clean, easy-to-read side-by-side comparison interfaceLightweight, fast, and free to use

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Will comparing two documents alter my original files?

No. The Compare tool generates a completely new, third document to display the differences. Your original and revised files remain untouched and safe.

Can I merge the added lines into a final document after comparing?

Yes. Once the comparison document is generated, you can use the 'Accept' or 'Reject' buttons in the Review tab to go through each added line or deletion and save the result as your final version.

Why does the comparison document show formatting changes instead of just text?

By default, the Compare tool checks for all differences, including bolding, spacing, and font changes. To see only text additions, click 'More' in the Compare dialog box and uncheck 'Formatting' before running the comparison.

Document & File Issues