Visual Studio Code includes a built-in file comparison tool that displays two files side by side and highlights their differences. This is useful when reviewing configuration changes, troubleshooting code, comparing document revisions, or checking modifications before committing them to Git.
No extension is required because the diff editor is included with Visual Studio Code.
In this blog post, we will explain how to compare files in Visual Studio Code using the Explorer, Command Palette, Source Control panel, and command line.
- Compare Two Files from the Explorer
- Understand the Diff Editor
- Compare an Open File with Another File
- Compare a File with Its Saved Version
- Compare a File with Clipboard Content
- Compare Files from the Command Line
- Compare Git Changes
- Conclusion
- Additional Resources
Compare Two Files from the Explorer
The Explorer is the quickest way to compare two files in the same project.
- Open the folder containing the files in Visual Studio Code.
- Right-click the first file.
- Select Select for Compare.
- Right-click the second file.
- Select Compare with Selected.
VSCode opens both files in the diff editor.
You can also select two files using Ctrl on Windows or Linux, or Command on macOS, right-click the selection, and select Compare Selected.
Understand the Diff Editor
The diff editor normally displays the original file on the left and the compared file on the right.
Changes are highlighted to show:
- Added lines
- Removed lines
- Modified text
- Unchanged sections
You can scroll through both files together and use the navigation arrows in the editor toolbar to move between changes.
The view can also be changed between side-by-side and inline comparisons through the diff editor menu.
Compare an Open File with Another File
To compare the currently open file with another file:
- Open the first file.
- Press Ctrl+Shift+P on Windows or Linux.
- Press Command+Shift+P on macOS.
- Search for File: Compare Active File With…
- Select the second file.
The comparison opens immediately in the diff editor.
Compare a File with Its Saved Version
VSCode can compare unsaved changes with the last saved version of a file.
With the modified file open, use:
Ctrl+K D
On macOS, use:
Command+K D
You can also open the Command Palette and select:
File: Compare Active File with Saved
This is useful when reviewing changes before saving the file.
Compare a File with Clipboard Content
To compare an open file with text copied to the clipboard:
- Copy the text you want to compare.
- Open the file in VSCode.
- Open the Command Palette.
- Select File: Compare Active File with Clipboard.
The keyboard shortcut on Windows and Linux is:
Ctrl+K C
This method is useful when comparing a configuration, script, or code sample without creating another file.
Compare Files from the Command Line
VSCode can launch a file comparison directly from a terminal.
Use:
code –diff first-file second-file
For example:
code –diff original.conf updated.conf
The code command must be available in your terminal path.
On macOS, open the Command Palette and run:
Shell Command: Install ‘code’ command in PATH
Compare Git Changes
When working in a Git repository:
- Open the Source Control panel.
- Locate the modified file under Changes.
- Select the file.
VSCode opens a comparison between the repository version and the current working copy.
This makes it easy to review changes before staging or committing them.
Conclusion
Visual Studio Code provides several convenient methods for comparing files without installing an extension. The Explorer context menu is the fastest option for two project files, while the Command Palette supports comparisons with saved files, clipboard content, and files outside the current view.
The code --diff command is useful for terminal-based workflows, and the Source Control panel provides an immediate comparison of Git changes. Together, these tools make VSCode a practical option for reviewing code, configurations, and document revisions.
