Visual version comparison (VisualDiff)

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BlueSpiceVisualDiff enables users to easily compare two versions of a wiki page.

Comparing page versions

VisualDiff is integrated in the history page of every content page. Users with reading rights can access the version comparison by clicking on Page > History at the top of the content area.

Once in history view, select two versions (revisions) to compare (by marking the radio button in front of every revision) and click "Compare selected revisions".


Selecting revisions
Selecting revisions


This opens the compare view, with several modes of comparison available:

  • VisualDiff - mode that this page describes.
  • WikiText - shows difference in underlying wikitext.
  • Classic - shows basic visual difference with old version on the left and new on the right. It highlights which lines were added or removed.
VisualDiff color coding
VisualDiff color coding

Reading the diff

A change can be “added”, “deleted”, “changed”, or be marked as “conflict” content. Due to the nature of wiki articles, “changed” and “conflict” are very rare. “Changed” will be shown, for example, if a word was linked subsequently. All other changes (although being “changed” as well) are shown as “added” or “deleted”.

Color code for text changes:

  • Light blue: additions to the text.
  • Orange and crossed-out: deletions from the text.
  • Blue dashed lines: Changes in the structure of the article. This is usually the case when a word has been linked subsequently, or a header has been changed.

Color code for image changes:

  • Light blue frame: added picture, or the current format of a changed image.
  • Red frame: deleted picture, or the former format of a changed image.

Important! Changes that are only visible in the source view (e.g., changes to categories or tags) are not refelcted in the visual comparison mode), you should always check the classic comparison mode in addition to "catch" these changes.


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