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How to Compare Presentations After PowerPoint Compare and Merge is Retired
Question details
The user needs to find a way to compare presentation files from different organizations because Microsoft has retired the Compare and Merge feature in modern versions of PowerPoint.
- Product
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Comparing offline presentation files received from multiple organizations without relying on real-time collaboration or cloud co-authoring.
- Observed behavior
- The Compare and Merge functionality is missing or retired in the user's current version of PowerPoint.
Verify your current Microsoft Office version and check with your IT administrator if your organization has access to Office LTSC or older volume licenses.
Use an Office LTSC Installation
Install a Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) version of Office where the legacy comparison feature has not been retired.
Microsoft's LTSC (Long-Term Servicing Channel) releases are designed for environments that cannot update frequently. These versions often retain legacy features, including Compare and Merge, which have been removed from continuous-update Microsoft 365 versions.
Consult your IT department to confirm if your organization holds licenses for Office LTSC (such as Office LTSC 2021).
To prevent conflicts with your existing Microsoft 365 apps, install the LTSC version inside a dedicated virtual machine (VM) using software like Hyper-V or VMware.
Open the LTSC version of PowerPoint, navigate to the Review tab, and use the Compare tool exactly as you previously did.
Use Manual Comparison and Version History
Visually compare slides side-by-side or track changes using built-in version history for cloud-stored files.
Submit Feedback to Microsoft
Request that Microsoft restores the Compare and Merge tool to modern PowerPoint versions.
Try WPS Office for Your Presentation Needs
Frustrated by retired features and forced cloud collaboration in Microsoft Office? WPS Office offers a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative for creating, editing, and managing your presentations with ease.
- 1. Download the software: Visit the official WPS website and download the free version of WPS Office.
- 2. Install WPS Office: Run the installer file and follow the simple on-screen instructions to set up the software.
- 3. Open your presentations: Launch WPS Presentation to open, edit, and review your existing PowerPoint files seamlessly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Microsoft remove the Compare and Merge feature in PowerPoint?
Microsoft often retires legacy offline features to streamline the software, encouraging users to adopt real-time co-authoring and cloud-based collaboration tools instead.
Can I still use the Compare feature if I install an older version of Office?
Yes, older perpetual license versions of Office (such as Office 2016 or Office 2019) and Office LTSC releases still retain the Compare and Merge functionality.
Are there third-party tools to compare PowerPoint presentations?
Yes, there are dedicated document comparison tools available on the market, but they usually require paid enterprise licenses. For most users, arranging windows side-by-side is the most practical free workaround.
How do I view two presentations side-by-side in modern PowerPoint?
Open both presentations, navigate to the View tab on the ribbon, and select 'Arrange All'. Alternatively, you can drag one window to the left edge of your screen and the other to the right edge to snap them into place.
