Frequently Asked Questions
This section addresses common questions and concerns about the Beyond Compare tool.
General Questions
What is the Beyond Compare tool?
The Beyond Compare tool is a powerful file and text comparison utility that helps you identify differences between files, documents, and text content. It provides detailed analysis with visual highlighting and comprehensive reporting.
What types of files can I compare?
The tool supports all text-based file formats including:
- Source code files (.js, .ts, .py, .java, .cpp, .cs, etc.)
- Configuration files (.json, .xml, .yaml, .ini, .conf, etc.)
- Document files (.txt, .md, .rst, .log, etc.)
- Data files (.csv, .tsv, .sql, etc.)
Is there a file size limit?
Yes, the maximum file size is 10MB per file. For optimal performance, we recommend files under 1MB. Large files may take longer to process.
Do I need to create an account?
No, the Beyond Compare tool is completely free to use and requires no account creation or registration.
File Comparison
How do I upload files for comparison?
- Click on the "File A" upload area
- Select your first file from the file picker
- Click on the "File B" upload area
- Select your second file
- Click "Compare Files" to start the comparison
Can I compare files of different formats?
Yes, you can compare files of different formats, but the comparison will be based on their text content. The tool treats all files as text for comparison purposes.
What happens if I upload binary files?
Binary files are not supported. The tool is designed for text-based content only. If you upload a binary file, you may see unexpected results or errors.
Can I compare more than two files at once?
Currently, the tool supports comparing two files at a time. For multiple file comparisons, you can compare them in pairs and save results to history.
Text Comparison
How do I compare text directly?
- Paste or type content in the "Text A" area
- Paste or type content in the "Text B" area
- Click "Compare Texts" to start the comparison
Is there a limit on text length?
There's no specific limit on text length for direct text input, but very large texts may impact performance. For optimal results, keep text under 100,000 characters.
Can I compare code snippets?
Yes, the tool is excellent for comparing code snippets. Enable "Show Line Numbers" for better code comparison experience.
Comparison Options
What does "Ignore Whitespace" do?
When enabled, this option ignores differences in spaces, tabs, and line breaks, focusing only on meaningful content changes. This is useful for code comparisons where formatting may vary.
What does "Ignore Case" do?
When enabled, this option performs case-insensitive comparison, treating "Hello" and "hello" as the same. This is useful for comparing configuration files or case-insensitive content.
What does "Show Line Numbers" do?
When enabled, this option displays line numbers in the diff output, making it easier to navigate and reference specific lines in large files.
Can I customize the comparison algorithm?
Currently, the tool uses a standard diff algorithm optimized for most use cases. Advanced algorithm options may be available in future versions.
Results and Output
How do I interpret the comparison results?
The results show:
- Summary Statistics: Count of additions, deletions, and modifications
- Color Coding: Green for additions, red for deletions, blue for modifications
- Detailed Diff: Line-by-line comparison with highlighting
Can I export the comparison results?
Currently, the tool displays results in the browser. Export functionality may be available in future versions.
How do I save comparison results?
All comparisons are automatically saved to your browser's local history. You can access previous comparisons from the history section.
History and Storage
Where are my comparison results stored?
All comparison results are stored locally in your browser. No data is sent to external servers.
How long are results kept in history?
Results are stored in your browser's local storage and will persist until you clear your browser data or manually delete them.
Can I delete specific comparisons from history?
Yes, you can delete individual comparisons from the history section by clicking the delete button next to each entry.
Can I share comparison results with others?
Currently, there's no direct sharing functionality. You can copy the results manually or take screenshots to share.
Performance and Technical
Why is my comparison taking so long?
Large files or complex differences may take longer to process. The tool is optimized for files under 1MB for best performance.
Can I compare files while offline?
Yes, the tool works completely offline. All processing is done locally in your browser.
What browsers are supported?
The tool works in all modern browsers including:
- Chrome 80+
- Firefox 75+
- Safari 13+
- Edge 80+
Does the tool work on mobile devices?
Yes, the tool is responsive and works on mobile devices, though the experience is optimized for desktop use.
Security and Privacy
Is my data secure?
Yes, all file processing occurs locally in your browser. No files or content are uploaded to external servers.
Are my files stored anywhere?
No, files are only processed in your browser's memory and are not stored on any servers.
Can I use the tool for sensitive files?
Yes, since all processing is done locally, you can safely use the tool for sensitive files without privacy concerns.
Is there any tracking or analytics?
No, the tool does not collect any user data, tracking information, or analytics.
Troubleshooting
The tool is not working properly. What should I do?
- Refresh the page and try again
- Check if your browser is up to date
- Clear your browser cache
- Try with smaller files first
- Check the browser console for error messages
I'm getting an error when uploading files. What's wrong?
Common issues include:
- File size exceeds 10MB limit
- Unsupported file format
- Browser compatibility issues
- Insufficient memory for large files
The comparison results don't look right. What should I check?
- Verify that both files are text-based
- Check if the files have different encodings
- Try different comparison options
- Ensure files are not corrupted
Can I get help with specific comparison issues?
While there's no direct support channel, you can:
- Check this FAQ for common issues
- Review the documentation for best practices
- Try different comparison options
- Use smaller test files to isolate issues
Future Features
What new features are planned?
Planned features include:
- Export functionality for comparison results
- Support for more file formats
- Advanced comparison algorithms
- Batch comparison capabilities
- API access for programmatic use
How can I request new features?
Feature requests can be submitted through the feedback form on the tool page.
Will there be a premium version?
Currently, the tool is completely free. Any future premium features will be clearly communicated to users.
Best Practices
What are the best practices for using the tool?
- Use appropriate comparison options for your content type
- Review summary statistics before examining detailed differences
- Save important comparisons to history
- Use smaller files for better performance
- Enable relevant options like "Ignore Whitespace" for code comparisons
How can I get the most accurate results?
- Ensure files are in the same format and encoding
- Use appropriate comparison options
- Verify file integrity before comparison
- Review results systematically
- Use history to track important comparisons
What should I avoid when using the tool?
- Don't compare binary files
- Avoid extremely large files (>10MB)
- Don't ignore file encoding differences
- Avoid comparing files with different line endings without proper options
- Don't rely solely on automated results for critical decisions
This FAQ covers the most common questions about the Beyond Compare tool. If you have additional questions, please refer to the documentation or try different approaches to achieve your comparison goals.