How to Compare Two Microsoft Publisher Documents Side by Side
Question details
The user wants to view and compare two Microsoft Publisher documents simultaneously.
- Product
- Microsoft Publisher
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Reviewing or updating multiple versions of a publication, such as technical manuals or brochures, where identifying differences is necessary.
- Observed behavior
- Microsoft Publisher lacks the built-in 'Compare Documents' functionality that exists in Microsoft Word, requiring users to find an alternative method for side-by-side review.
Ensure you have both Microsoft Publisher document files (.pub) saved and easily accessible on your computer before attempting to arrange them.
Visually Compare by Arranging Two Publisher Windows
Since Publisher does not have a native comparison tool, you can manually open two instances of the application and snap the windows side by side.
While Microsoft Word allows you to automatically compare and merge documents, Publisher requires a manual visual review. Opening the files in separate application windows lets you utilize your operating system's window management features to view them simultaneously.
Launch Microsoft Publisher and open your first publication file.
Right-click the Microsoft Publisher icon on your taskbar and select 'Microsoft Publisher' to open a completely separate application window, then open your second publication in this new window.
Click and drag the title bar of the first Publisher window to the left edge of your screen until it snaps into place. Repeat this process by dragging the second Publisher window to the right edge of your screen.
Submit Feedback for a Native Comparison Feature
If you frequently need to compare publications, let Microsoft know that this feature is important to your workflow.
Experience Built-in Document Comparison with WPS Office
While Microsoft Publisher requires manual workarounds for reviewing files, WPS Office provides built-in tools like 'View Side by Side' and 'Synchronous Scrolling' in its word processor. As a highly compatible, free Microsoft Office alternative, WPS Office simplifies document comparison and desktop publishing tasks without the hassle.
- 1. Download and Install WPS Office: Get the free WPS Office suite from the official website and complete the installation process.
- 2. Open your documents: Launch WPS Writer and open the two documents you wish to review.
- 3. Activate side-by-side view: Navigate to the 'View' tab on the top ribbon and click 'View Side by Side' to compare your files seamlessly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Microsoft Publisher have a built-in 'Compare Documents' feature?
No, unlike Microsoft Word, Microsoft Publisher does not currently include a native document comparison or merge feature. You must manually arrange two application windows side by side to review differences.
Can I use synchronous scrolling when comparing Publisher files?
Because Publisher lacks a built-in side-by-side view mode, synchronous scrolling is not natively supported. You will need to manually scroll through each window independently while comparing your documents.
Why won't my second Publisher document open in a new window?
If you open a document from within an already running instance of Publisher, it may replace the current view or open in a new tab depending on your settings. To ensure it opens in a separate window for side-by-side comparison, launch a fresh instance of the Publisher application from your taskbar or start menu first, then open the file.
