General (File Compare/Merge Options)

These are general options for File Compare/Merge. To access these options, choose Tools > Options > General .

Open Panes For:

Opens File Compare/Merge ready for making the selected type of comparison on start-up: A File Comparison, A Folder Comparison, or the Last Type of Comparison made.

This option is not available when launching File Compare/Merge from within the client.

File History Limit

Populates the file history list with a maximum value. You can view the file history by clicking the DOWN ARROW to the right of Open New Comparison on the toolbar.

This option is not available when launching File Compare/Merge from within the client.

Immediately Start Comparison As New File/Folder Is Entered

Starts a comparison as soon as the file/folder is opened. If this option is not set, open the file/folder to compare, and click Reload Content on the toolbar to begin the comparison.

This option is not available when launching File Compare/Merge from within the client.

Open Comparison In Read-only Mode

Opens files that you are comparing in read-only mode.

This option is not available when launching File Compare/Merge from within the client.

Allow Editing For Read-only Files/Folders

Allows you to edit read-only files/folders.

This option is not available when launching File Compare/Merge from within the client.

Darken Pane While In Read-only Mode

Darkens the UI pane to indicate the file/folder is read-only,

Enable Quick Start

Places the File Compare/Merge Quick Start icon in your Windows System Tray. (Note: This could be invisible if File Compare/Merge cannot find the required .dll file.)

This option is not available when launching File Compare/Merge from within the client.

Allow Only One Running Instance

Allows starting of only one instance of File Compare/Merge .

This option is not available when launching File Compare/Merge from within the client.

3-way Merge: Start With Empty Center Pane

Opens an empty third pane on switching to a 3-way merge..

This option is not available when launching File Compare/Merge from within the client.

3-way Merge: Allow Editing Only In Center Pane

Allows you to only edit the center pane (merged results) on switching to a 3-way merge.

This option is not available when launching File Compare/Merge from within the client.

3-way Merge: Put Left Scroll Bar on Center Pane

Adds a left scroll bar to the center pane for a 3-way merge.

Tabs: On Bottom

Locates tabs containing your file/folder comparisons at the bottom of the UI by default. If this option is off, the tabs are located at the top of the UI just beneath the toolbar.

This option is not available when launching File Compare/Merge from within the client.

Tabs: Start New Comparison In A New Tab

Starts new comparisons in a new tab by default.

This option is not available when launching File Compare/Merge from within the client.

Tabs: Show Only One Comparison

Only allows one file/folder comparison. Selecting this option disables the Start New Comparison in a New Tab option.

This option is not available when launching File Compare/Merge from within the client.

For Next/Previous Change: Always Adjust Scroll Bar

Automatically adjusts the scroll bar to the location of the next or previous change.

For Next/Previous Change: Adjust Scroll Bar Only If The Difference Is Off Screen

Automatically adjusts the scroll bar to the location of the difference if it is not visible on the screen.