compareFromBase64 method now shows source document pane and revisions pane

Question

We have a Word addin where we are using compareFromBase64 to import a new file over to an existing file so that all changes done can be viewed in one single window. This was working fine earlier.
A few days back we noticed that Word desktop application is opening up two new panes - source document pane and a revisions pane when this method is invoked from addin UI. This is causing the addin to crash and is impacting our existing flows. We also noticed that word window restarts/refreshes. It is a customer regression for us now.
We noticed that there is an attribute which we can pass to avoid showing the source document pane - showSourceDocuments but we don't have an option to avoid showing the revisions pane.
Can someone please suggest how to resolve this?

Answer 1

Dear RahulK,

Good day! Welcome to Microsoft Q&A forum!

I understand that your Word add-in imports a new file into the current one - using the compareFromBase64 API - to display all changes within a single window. You are seeking a solution to the issue where this API has recently begun opening two new panes, thus disrupting your workflow.

Since you mentioned that the same code was previously working and the behavior only recently changed, this appears to be more of a regression or a change in the Word Desktop client's behavior rather than an issue with the add-in implementation.

As a troubleshooting step, I would recommend:

• Comparing behavior across different Word versions/builds and update channels (Current Channel, Monthly Enterprise Channel, etc.).
• Capturing the exact Word version and build number where the issue started occurring.

At present, I am not aware of any supported Office.js API that can programmatically prevent the Revisions pane from opening when compareFromBase64() is executed. Could you kindly review the troubleshooting steps I mentioned above? This would help in determining whether this is a known regression or a client-specific issue.

Any updates you’re able to share would be really helpful. I appreciate your time and look forward to hearing how things are going! 

Thank you for your time and patience.

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