Compare VS Combine

The Compare function takes two files that are similar (usually an original and an edited version) that DO NOT contain Tracked Changes, and it produces a version that contains Tracked Changes for the differences. That file should be identical to what the edited version would have been, if it was produced with Track Changes turned on.

The Combine function takes two similar files that DO contain Tracked Changes (usually two versions edited by different people, starting from the same original), and it produces a version with both sets of edits as Tracked Changes. This should be the same as if one person had edited the original with Track Changes turned on, and then the second person edited the first person's version with Track Changes turned on. This may produce some odd results if both people changed the same piece of original text to two different phrases, as both edits will appear. Also, Combine can only keep one set of formatting changes.