This article explains how to merge multiple Microsoft Word documents into a single file. In addition to this it explains how to combine multiple versions of the same document to create a new Word file. Although merging multiple Word documents may seem complex at first, the steps to follow are very simple and the time required to perform is very limited.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Merge Multiple Documents
Step 1. Open the Word document you want to merge the other files to
The easiest way to do this is to double-click the corresponding Word file. Alternatively, you can start the program, click on the menu File Word, click on the item You open and select the document to open.
Step 2. Click on the place in the text where you want to insert the next document
The content of the new document will be inserted into the one in question starting from the point you specified.
Step 3. Click on the Insert tab of the Word ribbon
It is listed at the top of the window between the "Home" and "Design" or "Page Layout" tabs.
Step 4. Click the Object button
It is listed within the "Text" group of the "Insert" tab of the Word ribbon. The "Object" dialog will be displayed.
If you need to insert only simple text into the existing document (without images, special characters and formatting), click on the icon depicting an arrow pointing down placed next to the "Object" button, select the option Text from file and jump directly to step number 7.
Step 5. Click the Create from File tab
It is the second tab in the "Insert Object" dialog box.
Step 6. Click the Browse button
The computer's "File Explorer" window will appear.
Step 7. Select the document to merge with the existing one
Step 8. Click the Insert button
The current dialog box will be closed and the file will be returned to the "File Name" field of the "Insert Object" window.
Step 9. Click the OK button to insert the selected document into the one you are working on
The contents of the chosen file should appear where you placed the text cursor in the document.
- Word documents and most RT format files will retain their original formatting when inserted into another document as an object. In the case of other file formats, the final result may be different.
- Repeat the process for any other documents you need to merge with the existing one.
Method 2 of 2: Combine Two Versions of the Same Document
Step 1. Open one of the documents that you need to combine with each other
The easiest way to do this is to double-click the corresponding Word file. Alternatively, you can start the program, click on the menu File Word, click on the item You open and select the document to open.
If you have activated the function Revisions listed in the tab Revision Word, there will be multiple versions of the document.
Step 2. Click on the Review tab
It is listed in the Word ribbon at the top of the window, between the "Letters" and "View" tabs.
If the card Revision is not present, click on the tab Tools.
Step 3. Click the Compare button
It is located in the "Compare" group of the "Review" tab in Word. A menu with two options will appear.
Step 4. Click on Combine…
It is the second option in the menu that appeared. A new window will appear that will allow you to choose the documents to combine with each other.
Step 5. Select the current document version from the "Original Document" drop-down menu
This is the original version of the document that was sent to the person in charge of its review (there are no changes to the content within this version).
Step 6. Select the revised version of the document using the "Revised Document" drop-down menu
This is the version of the original document that contains the changes suggested by the person who reviewed and corrected it.
If you want the sections of the document that have been changed during the review to be labeled, enter the wording you want in the "Indicate revisions not marked with" text field. Normally, the name of the person who suggested the changes is used as the label
Step 7. Select the New document visible option in the "Show changes in" section
This will instruct Word to create a new file by combining the two versions of the document you have selected.
Step 8. Click the OK button
The two versions of the document you have chosen will be combined together to create a new Word file. The program window will be divided into three panels that will contain the original document, the revised one and the new one that was generated by merging the two previous versions. The document displayed in the central panel of the Word window is the one generated by merging the two versions, while the panels on the right will show the original document and the modified version.
