How to Compare Files in Sublime Text 4

John D K -

To compare files in Sublime Text 4 (ST4), we can use the Sublime packages:

Install new package

To install a new package in Sublime Text 4 follow these steps:

  • Open Sublime Text 4
  • go to "Tools"
  • "Command Palette" - CTRL + Shift + P
  • type "Package Control: Install Package" - press Enter
  • Search for package and click on it
    • i.e. Compare Side-By-Side
    • i.e. DiffTabs
  • wait for message that the package is installed

Compare Side-By-Side

To compare files with ST4 package - "Compare Side-By-Side" follow:

  • open the files in ST4
    • tab1 - active
    • tab2
  • right click on the tab2 which is not active
  • choose "Compare with active tab"
  • New window with differences will open

The result is shown on the link below:

Fix Compare Side-By-Side for ST4

Package Compare Side-By-Side is not compatible with ST4. To fix this package you can follow:

  • Locate package folder
    • i.e. Linux /home/user/.config/sublime-text-3/Installed Packages
  • Open Compare "Side-By-Side.sublime-package" with zip tool
  • Extract sbs_compare.py
  • Open sbs_compare.py in Sublime Text.
  • Add the following lines to file:
	# move view 1 to group 1
	new_window.set_view_index( new_window.active_view(), 0, 0 )

on lines line 572 and line 573.

  • Replace the file in the archive
  • Restart Sublime

Source: How to compare files in ST4?

DiffTabs

As an alternative you can use the Sublime package DiffTabs. It is compatible with ST4 and compares two tabs in a similar way to Compare Side-By-Side.

To compare two files in Sublime with DiffTabs:

  • open the files in ST4
    • tab1 - active
    • tab2
  • right click on the tab2 which is not active
  • choose "Diff with current tab"