File Diff
Compare files and text online. Free file diff tool to find differences between two files or text documents. Perfect for code review, document comparison, and version control.
What is File Diff?
File Diff is an online tool that compares two files or text documents to find differences between them. Using advanced diffing algorithms, this tool highlights additions, deletions, and modifications in a clear, visual format. Whether you're comparing code files, documents, configuration files, or any text-based content, File Diff makes it easy to see what has changed.
Our File Diff tool provides side-by-side and inline diff views, file upload support, and customizable comparison options. The tool processes all comparisons locally in your browser, ensuring your files remain private and secure.
How to Use File Diff
Using our File Diff tool is straightforward:
- Upload Files or Enter Text: Upload two files using the file inputs, or paste text directly into the text areas
- View Differences: The diff view automatically highlights differences between the two files
- Choose View Mode: Toggle between side-by-side and inline diff views
- Configure Options: Enable options like "Trim Lines" or "Ignore Whitespace" to customize the comparison
- Edit Content: You can edit either file directly in the diff editor
- Clear All: Use the clear button to reset and start a new comparison
Features of File Diff
Our File Diff tool includes the following features:
- File Upload: Upload two files for comparison with file size display
- Text Input: Paste or type text directly into the input areas
- Side-by-Side View: Compare files side-by-side for easy visual comparison
- Inline View: View differences inline within a single editor
- Syntax Highlighting: Color-coded differences (green for additions, red for deletions)
- Line Numbers: Line numbers for easy reference
- Editable Content: Edit either file directly in the diff editor
- Trim Lines: Option to trim trailing whitespace from each line
- Ignore Whitespace: Option to ignore whitespace differences
- Minimap: Overview minimap for navigation in large files
- Word Wrap: Automatic word wrapping for long lines
- Statistics: View line count comparison
- No Registration: Use the tool without signing up
Common Use Cases
File Diff is useful for various scenarios:
- Code Review: Compare code changes before and after modifications
- Version Control: Review changes between different versions of files
- Document Comparison: Compare text documents to see what changed
- Configuration Files: Compare configuration files to identify differences
- Debugging: Compare working and broken versions of code
- Merge Conflicts: Visualize differences to resolve merge conflicts
- Code Auditing: Review changes in code audits
- Documentation: Compare documentation versions
- Learning: Understand what changed between file versions
- Quality Assurance: Verify changes in QA processes
Understanding Diff Views
Side-by-Side View
Shows the original file on the left and the modified file on the right. This view is ideal for:
- Comparing large files
- Seeing the full context of both versions
- Understanding the overall structure
Inline View
Shows differences within a single editor window. This view is ideal for:
- Focused comparison of specific sections
- Saving screen space
- Seeing changes in context
Diff Color Coding
- Green: Lines or text that were added in the modified version
- Red: Lines or text that were removed from the original version
- Blue: Lines that were modified (combination of additions and deletions)
- No Highlight: Lines that are identical in both versions
Comparison Options
Trim Lines
When enabled, trailing whitespace is removed from each line before comparison. This is useful when whitespace differences are not important.
Ignore Whitespace
When enabled, all whitespace differences are ignored during comparison. This helps focus on actual content changes rather than formatting differences.
Best Practices for File Comparison
- Use Appropriate View: Choose side-by-side for large files, inline for focused comparison
- Enable Options Wisely: Use "Ignore Whitespace" only when formatting doesn't matter
- Review Context: Check surrounding lines to understand the full context of changes
- Verify Changes: Always verify that the differences shown are correct
- Save Important Diffs: Copy or save important diff results for documentation
- Compare Similar Files: Ensure you're comparing files of the same type for best results
- Check File Encoding: Ensure both files use the same character encoding
- Use for Text Files: Best results with text-based files (code, documents, configs)
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What file types can I compare?
You can compare any text-based files including code files (JavaScript, Python, HTML, CSS, etc.), documents (TXT, MD), configuration files (JSON, XML, YAML, INI), and any other plain text format. Binary files (images, executables) cannot be compared as they are not human-readable text.
Can I compare files of different sizes?
Yes, you can compare files of different sizes. The tool will show additions and deletions appropriately. Very large files (over several megabytes) may take longer to process and display.
What's the difference between side-by-side and inline views?
Side-by-side view shows the original file on the left and modified file on the right, making it easy to compare corresponding sections. Inline view shows differences within a single editor, with changes highlighted in context. Choose based on your preference and screen size.
Can I edit files in the diff view?
Yes, both files are editable in the diff view. You can make changes directly in the editor, and the diff will update in real-time. This is useful for making quick corrections or adjustments during comparison.
Does the tool work offline?
Once the page is loaded, the tool works entirely in your browser without requiring an internet connection. All file processing and comparison happens locally on your device.
Question not found
The tool uses advanced diffing algorithms (similar to those used in Git and other version control systems) to accurately identify additions, deletions, and modifications. The results are highly accurate for text-based comparisons.
Can I compare more than two files?
The tool currently supports comparing two files at a time. For comparing multiple files, you would need to perform multiple comparisons. This is a common limitation of diff tools and helps maintain clarity in the comparison view.
What happens if I upload binary files?
Binary files (like images or executables) cannot be meaningfully compared as text. The tool will attempt to read them as text, but the results may not be useful. The tool is designed for text-based files.
Is my file data secure?
Yes, all file processing happens locally in your browser. Your files are never uploaded to any server, ensuring complete privacy and security. You can safely compare sensitive files without worrying about data exposure.
Can I save or export the diff results?
While the tool doesn't have a built-in export feature, you can copy the content from the editors or take screenshots of the diff view. The editable nature of the diff editor also allows you to make changes and copy the modified content.
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