Scripted Document Differencing
Using the Difference blend mode to compare InDesign Documents was powerful, but a bit tedious until now, thanks to a new script.
A while back I posted a tip about using the Difference blend mode to compare documents. This method can reveal even the most subtle differences at a glance, but it is rather labor intensive…until now. Kasyan Servetsky, the InDesign scripter who took Find-Change scripting to a new level, has created a script to automate document differencing. It’s called Compare Two Documents, and it takes most of the time and effort out of visual differencing.
The script places all the pages from two documents you choose into a new third document and applies the Difference blend mode. You also get to choose whether differences show up against a white or black background.

Once it’s done, the differences have nowhere to hide.

One tip: make sure your links are up to date before you run the script, since InDesign will ask you if it’s OK to place each page with missing or modified links.

Thanks for another great script, Kasyan!
This article was last modified on December 20, 2021
This article was first published on October 23, 2009
Commenting is easier and faster when you're logged in!
Recommended for you
Create Mazes in InDesign With a Script
An attendee I met at the recent CreativePro Conference contacted me to ask if I...
Free Layout Zone Add-on Is an Incredible Productivity Tool
Free plug-in makes sharing portions of a layout for collaboration easy and effic...
This Week in InDesign Articles, Number 23
It's a deluge of articles and videos and good InDesign stuff to dive into!
