---
title: Using the Native Compare Viewer
slug: using-the-native-compare-viewer
createdAt: 2026-10-23T00:54:25.032Z
---

The native compare viewer lets you inspect two versions of a parameter or object in Activate Studio. It is read-only: changes you see are not applied to either version.

The viewer is available when the PR42846\_MergeToolNativeViewerfeature flag is enabled. If you do not see it, ask your Activate administrator whether the flag is enabled for your environment.

## Read the comparison

The viewer shows the selected versions in **Left** and **Right** panes. Changed sections are highlighted; matching text appears as context. The difference count in the toolbar tells you how many changed regions were found. A comparison with no differences is identified as such.

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/Lfto9rn2ELed8aLNOgwlJ/XxLlQNwrNPFSoO18d6owH_image.png)

When version selectors are available, use **Left** and **Right** to choose a different history version. The comparison updates to the selected pair.

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/Lfto9rn2ELed8aLNOgwlJ/5nw343O05PcRwdzve8rrk_image.png)

## Change the view

- **Split / Unified** switches between aligned side-by-side panes and a single combined diff. In unified view, additions and removals are shown inline.
- **Display** contains the reading options:
  - **Wrap lines** wraps long lines within the pane. With wrapping off, use the pane's horizontal scrollbar to read long lines.
  - **Ignore whitespace** treats whitespace-only changes as equal for display.
  - **Show line endings** makes spaces, tabs, and line endings visible when investigating formatting differences.
- **Collapse / restore pane** in a pane header temporarily reduces that pane to a narrow labelled rail. Click again to restore it. At least one pane must remain open.
- **Maximise / restore** in the window title bar expands or restores the compare window.

At narrow window sizes, some toolbar controls move into **More**. The **Display** label may show a number when display options are active.

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/Lfto9rn2ELed8aLNOgwlJ/KW3TFP9kiihbWfm1ocwsC_image.png)

## Tips

- Compare like-for-like versions, and check the version labels before drawing conclusions.
- Turn on **Ignore whitespace** to focus on content changes, then turn it off if spacing or formatting matters.
- Use **Show line endings** to investigate differences that are hard to see in ordinary text.
- Use **Unified** for a compact review of additions and removals; use **Split** when you want to compare corresponding lines side by side.