# Table Compare Overview

A Table Compare session compares text files containing tabular data, such as .csv (comma separated values) files, in a side-by-side or over-under layout. The files are displayed in two grids that scroll together and the data is compared cell-by-cell. The display shows comparison columns, not necessarily the columns as they are organized in the data files. For example, the first comparison column may be comparing the third column of the left file against the fifth column of the right file. See Table Compare Column Settings. You can define any combination of comparison columns as keys. If you do, Table Compare will only align rows whose data matches in each of those columns. If you do not define any key columns, you can optionally choose to sort your files before aligning them. The display uses color to highlight differences. Color spots in the gutter indicate the overall comparison status of each row. Red indicates an important difference, while blue indicates an unimportant difference. This makes it easy to find differences, even if they are horizontally scrolled out of view. You can adjust these colors to suit your preferences. (See File View Color, Font Options.) See also Table Compare Commands Table Compare Settings Table Format Settings