Comparing Document Versions

Introduction

When it comes to working with Word documents programmatically, comparing two document versions is a common requirement. Whether you’re tracking changes or ensuring consistency between drafts, Aspose.Words for Java makes this process seamless. In this tutorial, we’ll dive into how to compare two Word documents using Aspose.Words for Java, with step-by-step guidance, a conversational tone, and plenty of detail to keep you engaged.

Prerequisites

Before we jump into the code, let’s make sure you’ve got everything you need:

  1. Java Development Kit (JDK): Ensure you have JDK 8 or above installed on your machine.
  2. Aspose.Words for Java: Download the latest version here.
  3. Integrated Development Environment (IDE): Use any Java IDE you prefer, such as IntelliJ IDEA or Eclipse.
  4. Aspose License: You can get a temporary license for full features, or explore with the free trial.

Import Packages

To use Aspose.Words for Java in your project, you’ll need to import the necessary packages. Here’s a snippet to include at the beginning of your code:

import com.aspose.words.*;
import java.util.Date;

Let’s break down the process into manageable steps. Ready to dive in? Let’s go!

Step 1: Set Up Your Project Environment

First things first, you need to set up your Java project with Aspose.Words. Follow these steps:

  1. Add the Aspose.Words JAR file to your project. If you’re using Maven, simply include the following dependency in your pom.xml file:

    <dependency>
    <groupId>com.aspose</groupId>
    <artifactId>aspose-words</artifactId>
    <version>Latest-Version</version>
</dependency>

    Replace Latest-Version with the version number from the download page.

  2. Open your project in your IDE, and ensure that the Aspose.Words library is correctly added to the classpath.

Step 2: Load the Word Documents

To compare two Word documents, you’ll need to load them into your application using the Document class.

String dataDir = "Your Document Directory";
Document docA = new Document(dataDir + "DocumentA.doc");
Document docB = new Document(dataDir + "DocumentB.doc");
  • dataDir: This variable holds the path to the folder containing your Word documents.
  • DocumentA.doc and DocumentB.doc: Replace these with the names of your actual files.

Step 3: Compare the Documents

Now, we’ll use the compare method provided by Aspose.Words. This method identifies differences between two documents.

docA.compare(docB, "user", new Date());
  • docA.compare(docB, "user", new Date()): This compares docA with docB.
  • "user": This string represents the name of the author making changes. You can customize it as needed.
  • new Date(): Sets the date and time for the comparison.

Step 4: Check the Comparison Results

After comparing the documents, you can analyze the differences using the getRevisions method.

if (docA.getRevisions().getCount() == 0)
    System.out.println("Documents are equal");
else
    System.out.println("Documents are not equal");
  • getRevisions().getCount(): Counts the number of revisions (differences) between the documents.
  • Depending on the count, the console will print whether the documents are identical or not.

Step 5: Save the Compared Document (Optional)

If you’d like to save the compared document with the revisions, you can do so easily.

docA.save(dataDir + "ComparedDocument.docx");
  • The save method writes the changes into a new file, preserving the revisions.

Conclusion

Comparing Word documents programmatically is a breeze with Aspose.Words for Java. By following this step-by-step guide, you’ve learned how to set up your environment, load documents, perform comparisons, and interpret the results. Whether you’re a developer or a curious learner, this powerful tool can streamline your workflow.

FAQ’s

What is the purpose of the compare method in Aspose.Words?

The compare method identifies differences between two Word documents and marks them as revisions.

Can I compare documents in formats other than .doc or .docx?

Yes! Aspose.Words supports various formats, including .rtf, .odt, and .txt.

How can I ignore specific changes during comparison?

You can customize the comparison options using the CompareOptions class in Aspose.Words.

Is Aspose.Words for Java free to use?

No, but you can explore it with a free trial or request a temporary license.

What happens to formatting differences during comparison?

Aspose.Words can detect and mark formatting changes as revisions, depending on your settings.

Tracking and Managing Document Revisions Accepting and Rejecting Document Changes