Text Difference Checker
Compare two text files and highlight differences with our free online text difference checker. Find additions, deletions, and modifications with side-by-side and unified diff views. Perfect for code comparison, document review, and text analysis.
View Mode
Example Text Comparisons
About Text Difference Checking
Text difference checking, also known as "diff" or text comparison, is the process of identifying and highlighting differences between two versions of text. Our free online text difference checker makes it easy to compare documents, code files, and text content with visual highlighting and multiple viewing options.
How Text Difference Checking Works:
- Line-by-Line Comparison: Analyzes text content line by line to identify additions, deletions, and modifications
- Visual Highlighting: Uses color coding to clearly show different types of changes (green for additions, red for deletions, yellow for modifications)
- Side-by-Side View: Displays original and modified text in parallel columns for easy comparison
- Unified Diff View: Shows changes in a traditional diff format with context lines
Use Cases for Text Difference Checking
Software Development:
- Code Review: Compare different versions of source code files to identify changes
- Bug Tracking: Identify what changed between working and broken code versions
- Configuration Files: Compare config files to understand system changes
- Documentation: Track changes in README files, API documentation, and technical specs
Document Management:
- Contract Review: Compare different versions of legal documents and contracts
- Content Editing: Track changes in articles, blog posts, and written content
- Policy Updates: Compare old and new versions of policies and procedures
- Academic Papers: Review revisions and edits in research papers and essays
Data Analysis:
- Log File Analysis: Compare log files to identify system changes or issues
- Database Scripts: Compare SQL scripts and database schema changes
- CSV Data: Identify differences in data exports and reports
- Configuration Management: Track changes in system configurations
How to Use the Text Difference Checker
- Enter Original Text: Type or paste your original text into the left input area
- Enter Modified Text: Type or paste the modified version into the right input area
- Choose View Mode: Select between side-by-side comparison or unified diff view
- Configure Options: Set preferences for whitespace, case sensitivity, and line numbers
- Compare Text: Click the "Compare Text" button to analyze differences
- Review Results: Examine highlighted differences and view comparison statistics
- Copy Results: Use the copy button to copy the comparison results
Key Features:
- Multiple View Modes: Side-by-side and unified diff views for different preferences
- Color-Coded Differences: Clear visual indicators for additions, deletions, and modifications
- Flexible Options: Ignore whitespace, case differences, and empty lines as needed
- Line Numbers: Optional line numbering for easy reference
- Statistics: Detailed counts of changes and modifications
- Copy Functionality: Easy copying of results with fallback support
- Mobile-Friendly: Responsive design that works on all devices
- No Registration: Completely free to use without any sign-up required
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between side-by-side and unified diff views?
Side-by-side view displays the original and modified text in parallel columns, making it easy to see changes at a glance. Unified diff view shows changes in a traditional diff format with added and removed lines marked with + and - symbols.
Can I ignore whitespace and formatting differences?
Yes! Our tool includes options to ignore whitespace differences, case differences, and empty lines, allowing you to focus on content changes rather than formatting.
How large can the text files be?
Our text difference checker can handle large text files efficiently. For optimal performance, we recommend files under 1MB, but larger files will work as well.
Does the tool work with code files?
Absolutely! Our difference checker works perfectly with source code files, configuration files, scripts, and any other text-based content.
Can I compare files with different line endings?
Yes! The tool automatically handles different line ending formats (Windows, Unix, Mac) and normalizes them for accurate comparison.
Is this text difference checker free to use?
Yes! Our text difference checker is completely free with no registration required. You can compare unlimited text and access all features on any device.
Does the tool work on mobile devices?
Absolutely! Our text difference checker is fully responsive and works perfectly on smartphones and tablets with touch-friendly controls and optimized layouts.
Can I save or export the comparison results?
You can copy the comparison results to your clipboard using the copy button. The results include all highlighted differences and can be pasted into any text editor or document.