How to compare differences of files in Vim?

In Vim, you can compare (diff) the file you already have open with another file in a few common ways. Here are the most practical ones.

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1️⃣ From inside Vim (recommended)

If you already have file A open and want to compare it with file B:

:vert diffsplit path/to/other_file

• Opens the other file in a vertical split

• Vim automatically enters diff mode

• Differences are highlighted

Horizontal split (if you prefer):

:diffsplit path/to/other_file

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2️⃣ If both files are already open in Vim

If you opened two files normally (no diff yet):

:diffthis

Run this command in each window you want to compare.

To turn diff mode off later:

:diffoff

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3️⃣ Start Vim in diff mode (for future reference)

From the terminal:

vim -d file1 file2

or

vimdiff file1 file2

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4️⃣ Useful diff navigation commands

While in diff mode:

Command	What it does
]c	Jump to next difference
[c	Jump to previous difference
:diffget	Get change from the other file
:diffput	Put change to the other file
do	diff obtain (same as diffget)
dp	diff put

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5️⃣ Exit diff mode cleanly

:diffoff!

or close one of the windows:

:q

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💡 Tip (since you use Linux a lot)

Vertical diff is often easier on wide terminals:

:vert diffsplit other_file

If you want, I can also show:

• how to compare 3 files

• how to diff against the current buffer on disk

• how to use Vim diff with Git

Just tell me 👍

How to compare 3 files, please.

 

 

In Vim, comparing 3 files is very doable. Here are the clean, correct ways, from simplest to more advanced.

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✅ Method 1: Start Vim with 3 files in diff mode (best & simplest)

From the terminal:

vimdiff file1 file2 file3

or

vim -d file1 file2 file3

Result:

• All 3 files open side-by-side

• Vim automatically enters diff mode

• Differences highlighted across all three

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✅ Method 2: Add a 3rd file while already diffing 2 files

If you already have file1 open and diffed with file2:

:vert diffsplit file3

Vim will:

• Open file3 in a new split

• Automatically include it in the diff

💡 For horizontal split instead:

:diffsplit file3

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✅ Method 3: Files already open → manually enable diff

If all three files are open in different windows but not diffed yet:

1. Go to each window and run:

   :diffthis
   

2. Repeat for all three windows

To exit later:

:diffoff

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🧭 Navigating differences (very important with 3 files)

Command	Description
]c / [c	Next / previous diff
do	Take change from another file
dp	Put change into another file
:diffget LOCAL	Get change from current window
:diffget REMOTE	Get change from another window

👉 With 3 files, Vim labels them as:

• LOCAL

• BASE

• REMOTE

You can be explicit:

:diffget BASE
:diffget LOCAL
:diffget REMOTE

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🧠 Common real-world example (Git-style 3-way diff)

vimdiff mine theirs base

Typical meaning:

• BASE = original

• LOCAL = your version

• REMOTE = incoming version

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🧹 Exit diff mode

:diffoff!

or close windows normally:

:q

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⭐ Pro tips

• Use vertical splits on wide screens:

  set diffopt+=vertical
  

• Synchronize scrolling:

  :set scrollbind
  

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If you want, I can also explain:

• 3-way merge conflict resolution

• diff against Git commits

• color customization for diffs

Just say the word 👍