How to Compare Two Document Versions Side by Side in zipBoard
To compare two versions side by side, use zipBoard's version comparison feature to track changes easily. You can launch this feature using two different methods: open the asset in the Asset Viewer, click the Version Dropdown, and select Compare Versions; or switch directly from the Markup View to Compare Versions. The previous version opens on the left and the latest on the right.
You can now see the comments on each version, making it easier to track which feedback has been addressed and which hasn’t.
Watch the full lesson: Check a revised PDF: what changed and whether your comments were fixed (1 min).
To use the version comparison feature, your asset must have at least two uploaded versions. If an asset only has a single version uploaded, the comparison option will not be available or active, as there is nothing else to compare it against. Make sure you have uploaded a newer revision or update of your file before attempting to start a comparison.
How to Compare Two Document Versions Side by Side Using the Asset Viewer
1. Open the Asset Viewer
Go to your project and select the document you want to review. It opens in the zipBoard Asset Viewer.
2. Open Compare Versions
Click the Version Dropdown in the top navigation bar and select Compare Versions.
3. Select the versions to compare
The previous version opens on the left and the latest on the right. To compare different versions, use the file name dropdown above each pane.
4. Switch Back to Markup
To switch back to the markup view, click Exit comparison in the top navigation bar.
How to Compare Versions from Markup View
- Open the Asset and Start Reviewing
Navigate to your document and begin reviewing it in your standard markup workflow view.
- Click Compare Versions
Click Compare Versions directly in the top navigation bar without leaving your current workspace.
- Pick the Two Versions
The previous version opens on the left and the latest on the right. Use the dropdown above either pane to pick other versions.
- Click Exit comparison
When you are done evaluating, click Exit comparison to return straight to your markup workspace.
How to View Comments Across Different Versions
- Open Notes to see the comments left on that version
- Click a comment marker on either version to open it in Notes.
- Comparison is read-only. To add feedback, click Exit comparison.
- PDFs also highlight the text that changed between the two versions. See How to Detect Text Changes in PDF.
Switch between Version A and Version B with a single click to compare feedback without leaving the comparison view!
Compare Versions for Other File Types
Version comparison works across all file types that zipBoard supports. However, viewing each version's comments side by side is currently available only for PDFs. Other file types open in the side-by-side view without per-version comments. Please refer to the guides below:
Want to see everything version comparison can do? Visit our feature page here.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the Side-by-Side Version Comparison feature?
It is a built-in workflow tool in zipBoard that allows reviewers and teams to view, evaluate, and track changes between two distinct iterations of an asset side by side to ensure quality control.
Does this feature work across all types of files?
Side-by-side comparison works on every file type zipBoard supports. Each version's comments and highlighted text changes are available for PDFs only.
Can I annotate or add feedback pins directly inside the side-by-side comparison view?
No. You can see the comments inside each version; however, you can’t annotate or add new feedback pins directly inside the side-by-side comparison view.
How many versions of an asset do I need to use this feature?
You need at least two versions uploaded to your zipBoard project to initiate a version comparison.
How do I launch the side-by-side comparison mode?
Open the asset, click the Version Dropdown, and select Compare Versions to load both versions together.
Can I scroll through both versions at the same time?
Yes. Click Start Sync in the top-right toolbar to scroll both versions together synchronously.
Can I scroll through the documents independently?
Yes. Turn off Start Sync to navigate and scroll each version separately.
Will old comments show up on the new version?
No, comments stay with the version they were written on.