File formats and preparation

Use the same product for both versions of a file. A document and a workbook are different comparison types, even if they contain similar text. ## Input formats | Product | Main inputs | What to know | | --- | --- | --- | | Documents | DOCX, RTF and supported Word document/template formats | Word formats include DOC, DOCM, DOCB, DOT, DOTX, DOTM and WBK; RTF is read directly; SDK DOCX conversion does not require Word. **Use Word to convert** requires Word desktop, and other Word formats depend on the selected mode. | | Documents | PDF | Requires configured, licensed OCR and the OCR option. | | Documents | `.dyd` | Reopens a saved comparison package; this is not a Word document. | | Sheets | XLSX, XLS | XLSX is read directly; XLS requires Excel conversion. | | Sheets | `.dys` | Loads the embedded source workbooks for comparison. | | Slides | PPTX, PPT | PPTX is read directly; PPT requires PowerPoint conversion. | | Slides | `.dyp` | Loads the embedded source presentations for comparison. | ## Saved workbook and presentation comparisons Sheets and Slides offer **Redline**, **Merged Redline**, and **Redline Report** tabs in **Save Diff**. Under **Redline Report**, select **Also save the diff list as JSON** to write `_difflist.json` beside the HTML or PDF report. Both files are written before the save dialog closes. Comparison packages contain complete source files and are not encrypted. Use the file types offered by your installed application's file chooser. Do not assume that every format supported by Word, Excel or PowerPoint is also supported by MarginDiff, and do not change a filename extension to convert a file. ## Selecting files in MarginDiff Scrub In MarginDiff Scrub's **File > Add Files** (**Ctrl+O**) file chooser, the first file-type filter combines Word, Excel, PowerPoint and PDF files. Select **Word**, **Excel**, **PowerPoint**, **PDF** or **Graphics** to narrow the list. Graphics includes supported JPEG and PNG files. **All Supported Files** also includes other supported formats, such as Visio and audio/video. **All Files** shows every file; it does not add support for additional formats. ## Editing several MarginDiff Scrub profiles Open **Manage Profiles > Bulk Edit** to see all loaded personal, company and built-in profiles together. Each column identifies a profile and its saved filename; each row is a cleaning feature. A checked cell enables that feature. Hover over a column heading to see the profile's full file path. Change individual checkboxes, or select cells, rows or columns and use **Enable Selected** or **Disable Selected**. Search narrows the feature rows. Conflicting Word options are resolved as in the single-profile editor. Choose **Save All** to save changed profiles. Edited built-in profiles become personal copies. Each changed profile must retain at least one feature. If a profile cannot be saved, its changes remain in the grid for retry; other successful saves are reported. Closing with unsaved changes offers Save All, Discard or Cancel. Editing a profile does not clean any documents immediately. ## Before comparing - Save the versions you intend to compare, unless using the Word snapshot workflow. - Download online-only files so they have local content. - Confirm both files open normally in their original application. - For protected inputs, follow the [authorized-copy guidance](/docs/privacy/#protected-inputs). - For damaged or partially downloaded files, obtain a complete copy first. ## Conversion can affect results Converting between file types can alter layout, fonts and document structure. Where possible, compare versions in the same original format. If you change conversion modes between runs, recheck any new formatting differences. For cloud documents open in Word, see [Compare from Word](/docs/integrations/word). For scanned or image-based files, see [PDF and OCR](/docs/documents/pdf-ocr). ## Office integration dependencies Office ribbon commands require the matching desktop Office application and the installed MarginDiff add-in. Manage registration in [MarginDiff Settings](/docs/integrations/settings). ## MarginDiff Scrub preferences and window position MarginDiff Scrub remembers the main window's position, size and maximized state when you close it, then restores them on the next desktop launch. Its theme, icon set, toolbar size, transparency, word wrap, status-bar visibility and Advanced options are saved alongside the window bounds for your Windows account in `%APPDATA%\PolywickStudio\DiffyScrub\DiffyScrub.ini`. If your monitor layout changes, the window is moved onto an available screen. Existing UI preferences are imported automatically without replacing values already saved in this INI. Cleaning profiles continue to use their separate profile files.