Compare PDF file. Compare PDF with Adobe Acrobat

The Compare Two Documents and Compare Two Versions Within a Signed Document commands are two similar commands that compare every page in two documents. Both commands look at PDF information that describes the pages precisely, enabling them to find even the most subtle differences between pages.

In the comparison file, each document begins with a summary page that gives the document’s filename and the number of pages containing hidden and visual differences, depending on the parameters used in the comparison. Subsequent pages in the file show a side-by-side comparison of the pages that differ, with the differences highlighted. A header on each page identifies the file and the differences found on the page. The differences are highlighted in magenta on the pages. Acrobat identifies differences in these ways:

• If any pixels differ on the two pages, the specific differences are highlighted on both pages. For example, a word may have been edited or deleted, or a comment may have been added. The change may also be one that is barely noticeable, such as a slightly different tab stop or a small shift of the page’s content to one side.

Differences highlighted on both pages

• If no pixels differ but the PDF information on the pages differs, both pages are entirely highlighted. For example, some PDF marking behind an opaque object may have changed, or the crop box may have changed without any additional cropping being obvious.

• If a page has been added, it is paired with a new blank page. If a page has been deleted, it is represented by a blank page and paired with its corresponding page in the other document.

To compare pages with Adobe Acrobat, words, and fonts between two documents:

1. Choose Tools > Compare > Two Documents.

2.  In the Compare Documents dialog box, choose the name of the file. The active PDF file is displayed in the Compare text box by default.

3.  Click Choose, and select the second file to be used in the comparison.

4. Under Type of Comparison, define the parameters to be compared:

• Page by Page Visual Differences to compare both text and graphics pixel-by-pixel, and choose whether to use Normal Sensitivity, High Sensitivity, or Low Sensitivity. High Sensitivity is slow but more accurate; Low Sensitivity is fast but less accurate.
• Text Only to compare only changes in text content.
• Text Including Font Information to compare changes in text content and in fonts and font attributes.

Why NOT use Adobe Acrobat comparison?

• For some reason it is hard sometime to understand what changes were made as Adobe Acrobat doesn't suggest simple comparison interface;

• You cannot share you comparison results with your co-workers, as Adobe Acrobat doesn't have a comparative report;

• With Adobe Acrobat you can compare only PDF with PDF. Compare Suite allows to compare any to any, for example PDF to DOC or PDF to HTM, or PDF to plain text;

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