How to Compare Two PDFs Side by Side with Synchronized Pages
Question details
The user wants to view and compare two separate PDF documents side by side and ensure both files start at the exact same page position for synchronized viewing.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat Pro DC
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Comparing the contents of two distinct PDF documents simultaneously on the screen.
- Observed behavior
- The PDFs display side by side, but they open to different pages (e.g., one on page 1 and the other on page 2), and Acrobat does not automatically synchronize the start positions of separate files.
Ensure both PDF documents you wish to compare are fully loaded in your application and that your screen has enough resolution to display two document windows side by side clearly.
Manually Detach Tabs and Align Document Windows
Since Acrobat does not automatically synchronize separate PDF files, you must separate the tabs into distinct windows and manually set them to the same starting page.
Adobe Acrobat's built-in 'Two Page Scrolling' setting is designed to control pages within a single document. It does not apply to synchronizing the page positions or scrolling of two completely separate PDF files.
To achieve a side-by-side comparison, you need to manually manage the document windows and their respective page navigations.
Click on the document tab of the second PDF and drag it outside of the main Acrobat window. Release the mouse to create a new, separate document window.
Resize and position the original Acrobat window and the newly detached window so they are sitting side by side on your screen.
Click into the first document window and scroll or jump to page 1. Then, click into the second document window and manually navigate it to page 1 to match.
Compare PDFs Easily with WPS Office
WPS Office provides excellent document comparison tools. With its intuitive tabbed interface and split-window capabilities, you can open multiple PDFs, arrange them side by side, and review your documents with ease without complex window management.
- 1. Open both PDFs: Launch WPS Office and open the two PDF documents you wish to compare. They will appear as tabs at the top of the workspace.
- 2. Arrange side by side: Navigate to the 'View' tab on the ribbon and look for window arrangement options, or simply drag the tab of the second PDF away from the top bar to snap it side-by-side.
- 3. Adjust zoom and compare: Adjust the zoom level in both windows to fit your screen perfectly, allowing you to comfortably cross-reference and annotate both documents simultaneously.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I lock scrolling between two separate PDFs in Adobe Acrobat?
No, Adobe Acrobat natively lacks a synchronized scrolling feature for two distinct PDF files. Scrolling must be handled independently for each document window.
How do I scroll two pages side by side within the same PDF?
To view and scroll two pages of the same document simultaneously, go to the 'View' menu, select 'Page Display', and click on 'Two Page Scrolling'.
Is there a way to automatically highlight differences between two PDFs?
Yes, if you use Acrobat Pro, you can use the 'Compare Files' tool found under the 'Tools' menu. This feature scans both documents and automatically generates a report highlighting text and image differences.
