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See exactly what changed between two document versions

Compare two versions of a document and get a clear list of every meaningful change, so nothing slips through unnoticed.

Documents & DataBeginner5 minWordGoogle DocsAI assistant
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When to use it

When someone sends back an edited document

Step by step

  1. Try the built-in compare first

    Word has a Compare feature on its Review tab that marks every change. Google Docs has 'Compare documents' in its Tools menu. Use these for an exact line-by-line view.

  2. Get a plain-English summary

    Upload both versions to your AI assistant and paste this prompt to understand what the changes mean.

    Prompt to copyCompare these two versions of [document name]: version A (the original) and version B (the new one). List every meaningful change in a table: Section, What it said before, What it says now, Why it might matter. Ignore pure formatting and typo fixes but mention how many there were in one line at the end. Flag any change to dates, amounts, names, obligations or deadlines at the top.
  3. Check the flagged changes

    Look at each flagged change in the actual document using the built-in compare view. Ask the other person about anything you didn't agree.

What you get

Flagged: payment terms changed from 30 to 45 days (section 4). Deadline moved from 1 March to 15 March (section 2). Other changes: 'should' changed to 'must' in section 6, making the step compulsory. Formatting: 14 minor typo and layout fixes.

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