---
title: "Compare Files | Microsoft Docs"
ms.custom: ""
ms.date: "03/06/2017"
ms.prod: "sql-server-2014"
ms.reviewer: ""
ms.technology:
ms.topic: conceptual
helpviewer_keywords: 
  - "versions [SQL Server], file comparisons"
  - "comparing files"
  - "file comparisons [SQL Server]"
ms.assetid: 728811c4-5d7a-4420-abce-f56c5a0994d2
author: mashamsft
ms.author: mathoma
manager: craigg
---
# Compare Files
  You can compare files to determine how a file has progressed to its present state. For example, if you detect a defect in a build of your code project after a particular source file version is checked in, you can compare the current file version to a previous one. This helps you to pinpoint the code that introduced the defect.  
  
 You can use [!INCLUDE[ssManStudioFull](../includes/ssmanstudiofull-md.md)] to compare a local copy of a project or file to the version stored in source control, or to compare two local files. Also, using the **History** command, you can compare any two source-controlled versions.  
  
### To compare files  
  
1.  In Solution Explorer, select either a project or one of the project files.  
  
2.  On the **File** menu, point to **Source Control**, and click **Compare**.  
  
3.  In the **Difference Options** dialog box, select the appropriate options, and then click **Report**.  
  
## See Also  
 [Set and Retrieve Version Information](../../2014/database-engine/set-and-retrieve-version-information.md)   
 [View File History](../../2014/database-engine/view-file-history.md)   
 [View Project History](../../2014/database-engine/view-project-history.md)   
 [View File Status](../../2014/database-engine/view-file-status.md)   
 [Retrieve Files](../../2014/database-engine/retrieve-files.md)