Comparing Versions of Tables

Often it is helpful to compare two versions of tables to show the differences from one deliverable to the other.

Registering diffpdfc App

In order to use the diffpdfc comparison app you will have to apply the correct registry key for this software. Follow the below steps to get your copy of diffpdfc registered:

Step 1: From the start menu, access the command prompt interface

Step 2: Issue the following two command line statements that will change your default directory to the actual location of diffpdfc app.

e:
cd \apps\diffpdfc

Step 3: Type in the below command as is

diffpdfc --register

Step 4: In the resulting pop-up register window for diffpdfc, copy and paste the below key:

07f01c54aadc6c085ab18c5cf9db0064faddbde68f03

Step 5: Check the 'I Accept the License' checkbox and hit 'OK'

Your copy of diffpdfc is now registered.

Comparing Versions of PDF Output

The preferred method to compare PDFs is to use a utility we found called diffpdfc. It is executed from the Windows command prompt, so to use this, first open a command prompt window and issue the following 2 commands to put yourself in the same directory as the utility:

e:
cd \apps\diffpdfc

Then call the utility with required options and inputs that are explained below.

diffpdfc -C e:\apps\diffpdfc\table2_excl_margins.dpc -R "[full path to compare results folder]" "[full path to first folder of PDF files to compare]" "[full path to second folder of PDF files to compare]"

The above is an example, and here’s a breakdown of the inputs:

  • -C e:\apps\diffpdfc\table2_excl_margins.dpc - this option tell it to use a config file I setup that will ignore top and bottom margin areas (to avoid differences in dates for example). This input should always be used.
  • -R "[full path to compare results folder]" - this option tells the compare utility where to save all the compare reports. It will create one results file for each PDF being compared. The double quotes around the path are important when long paths with spaces are used.
  • ”[full path to first folder of PDF files to compare]" - self explanatory
  • ”[full path to second folder of PDF files to compare]" - self explanatory

Here’s an example of a compare run I did for a recent project:

diffpdfc -C e:\apps\diffpdfc\table2_excl_margins.dpc -R "E:\Projects\Lexicon\Projects\LX1606 NDA\Output\Tables\Re-run_19May2016_Series5_6\Compares" "E:\Projects\Lexicon\Projects\LX1606 NDA\Output\Tables\Re-run_13May2016_Series5_6\Compares\Final TLFs Rev2 Copied" "E:\Projects\Lexicon\Projects\LX1606 NDA\Output\Tables\Re-run_19May2016_Series5_6"

Alternatively, and perhaps a better choice is to cd into your project directory and call the utility with a full path and reference your PDF folders and report folder with shorter relative paths. For example:

e:
cd "E:\Projects\Lexicon\Projects\LX1606 NDA\Output\Tables\Re-run_19May2016_Series5_6"

e:\apps\diffpdfc\diffpdfc -C e:\apps\diffpdfc\table2_excl_margins.dpc -R "Compares" "Compares\Final TLFs Rev2 Copied" "."

Note: The . for the path means the current folder you’re in.

The best way to go about in constructing your diffpdfc is to first construct your command within a text editor.
Then browse to the final target location of where you want your comparison output to reside, copy the full absolute path as is from the address bar, and paste in after the -R "" and repeat the process for your source compare and target compare locations. Always copy paste. This way you do not make a mistake when typing the path in.

Once you have the full diffpdfc command constructed and double checked.... copy the entire command and within your command prompt- paste it in.
Of course you need make sure your command prompt is CD in to E:\apps\diffpdfc first.

Comparing Versions of Word Output

[Coming soon]