Compare lets you generate a redline showing exactly what's changed between two Word versions of the same document in a data room, without leaving Legatics or downloading anything. It works the same way as Compare in lists, just started from the data room's file menu.
Turning compare on
Compare is already enabled for existing Legatics customers, so your System Admin can switch it on straight away.
If your organization is new to Legatics, contact your Customer Success Manager to get compare turned on for your organization. Your System Admin can then switch it on.
Starting a comparison
Prerequisite: you need access to the document in the data room to see Compare on it, and compare needs to be available for the matter (see "If compare isn't available" below).
Open the three-dot menu on the file
Select Compare
Choose the older version and the newer version from the dropdowns (use the swap icon to flip them)
Click Compare
A new tab opens. The comparison runs in the background and the result loads automatically once it's ready, there's no need to keep checking or refresh the tab.
Note: You're not notified when the comparison is ready. Keep the tab open, or come back to it once you expect it to be done.
What you can compare
Only two Word (.docx) versions of the same document can be compared against each other. PDF, Excel and PowerPoint files aren't supported, and you can't compare across two different documents.
Compare is shown on every document, but you'll only be able to submit the comparison once you've picked two Word versions. If a document has fewer than two Word versions, you'll still see Compare, but the modal won't let you proceed until you have two to choose from.
Viewing and downloading the result
The result opens automatically in the Legatics file viewer, showing every change as Word track changes.
If something goes wrong
The result tab shows an error message if:
The version you selected is deleted before the comparison completes
The file is password protected
The file is corrupted or can't be read
The file is too large, or has too many pages, to compare
An unexpected error occurs
If compare isn't available
It needs to be enabled by Legatics for the organization hosting the matter before that organization's System Admin can switch it on.
Compare doesn't appear at all: either compare hasn't been enabled for the organization hosting the matter, or you don't have access to that document
Compare appears greyed out: the System Admin for the organization hosting the matter has switched compare off, or restricted it to certain Members. You'll see the message "Compare has not been enabled for you by the organization hosting this matter."
Note: Whether compare is switched on, and who can use it, is always controlled by the System Admin of the organization hosting the matter, in Admin > Settings > Features. This applies even if your own organization's settings are different.
Note: Access to Compare in a data room follows the same permissions as viewing the document itself. You must have access to a file to see Compare on it, there are no separate compare permissions to configure.