The Word integration requires the installed MarginDiff Office add-in and Microsoft
Word desktop. If the ribbon commands are missing, check
[registration and host refresh](/docs/integrations/settings).
## Use an open document
1. Open the document in Word.
2. In the MarginDiff ribbon, choose **Open Word Documents**.
3. Select a document from the list for the current Word instance.
4. MarginDiff Documents receives a snapshot. It fills **Original** in a new comparison
dialog, or **Modified** when the open dialog already has an Original.
5. Choose the other version, check the order, and select **Start**.
Sending a document does not start the comparison automatically. Check both fields
before proceeding.
## Cloud documents and unsaved edits
The snapshot includes the open document's current contents, including unsaved
edits. It can include a OneDrive, SharePoint or Google Drive document that Word
has opened. The add-in does not save, rename or alter the cloud original as part
of creating this comparison snapshot.
The list is limited to the current Word instance. It does not browse your entire
cloud account, browser-only Google Docs, or another separate Word process.
Use **Compare With File...** for a locally accessible file that is not open in Word.
## Metadata cleaning and PDF export
Where available, **Cleanse Metadata** sends a temporary DOCX snapshot to MarginDiff Scrub
for review. You still choose and initiate cleaning in MarginDiff Scrub. Opening it
is not confirmation that all metadata has been removed.
The Word **Export PDF** command uses Word's PDF export. Options can include
bookmarks, document tags and table-of-contents handling. Updating or inserting a
table of contents changes the open Word document; review the dialog options
before proceeding and respond to Word's save prompt as appropriate.
## If the hand-off fails
Confirm that Word can open and read the document. Use
[MarginDiff Settings](/docs/integrations/settings) to check the resolved application
path and refresh the host after an upgrade. Protected documents may prevent Word
from supplying a snapshot.
Snapshots are local temporary copies. See [Privacy and source files](/docs/privacy).