---
title: "Compare a file across two scans"
description: "See exactly how a file changed between two scans."
product: "Guardian"
edition: "Classic"
type: "workflow"
url: "https://docs.cloudhouse.com/guardian/classic/inventory/monitored/configuration-differencing/file-diff-two-scans/"
---
# Compare a file across two scans

See exactly how a file changed between two scans. For more information on the dependencies for this feature, see [Dependencies](https://docs.cloudhouse.com/guardian/classic/inventory/monitored/configuration-differencing/file-differencing/index.md#dependencies). File differencing is especially usually for tracking changes over time and ensuring data consistency. For more information, see [File Differencing](https://docs.cloudhouse.com/guardian/classic/inventory/monitored/configuration-differencing/file-differencing/index.md).

Applies to: `Guardian Classic`

This topic describes how you can compare two scans of the same file to see how it has changed over time. Comparing scans allows you to track file data consistency over time and take action where necessary, in accordance with problematic discrepancies or issues.

!!! tip

    If you want to compare two scans of the same node, see [Scan Differencing](https://docs.cloudhouse.com/guardian/classic/inventory/monitored/configuration-differencing/scan-differencing/index.md).

To compare two scans of the same file, complete the following:

1. In the Guardian web application, navigate to the **Monitored** tab. By default, all currently monitored nodes are displayed within the 'All Nodes' node group.

    ![Monitored tab for file diff](https://docs.cloudhouse.com/guardian/classic/assets/images/guardian/inventory/monitored/monitored-tab-for-file-diff.png)

    !!! note

        If you want to display the list of monitored nodes contained within a different node group, select a node group from the **Node Groups** drop-down menu.
        ![](https://docs.cloudhouse.com/guardian/classic/assets/images/guardian/inventory/monitored/node-groups-for-file-diff.png)

2. Select the node that contains the two scans you want to compare from the list of monitored nodes. The node scan results page is displayed. For more information, see [Node Scan Results](https://docs.cloudhouse.com/guardian/classic/inventory/monitored/nodes/node-scan-results/index.md).
3. By default, the most recent scan is displayed in the report. Here, you can select a different scan date from the **Scans** drop-down list.

    ![Scans dropdown](https://docs.cloudhouse.com/guardian/classic/assets/images/guardian/inventory/monitored/scans-dropdown.png)

4. In the **Compare to** drop-down menu, select **Another Scan** drop-down list to generate a difference report of the two scan dates. The difference report for the selected nodes is displayed. Here, you can access and compare the complete set of configuration data present on each node. For more information on this page, see [Node Differencing](https://docs.cloudhouse.com/guardian/classic/inventory/monitored/configuration-differencing/node-differencing/index.md).

    ![Previous scan dropdown](https://docs.cloudhouse.com/guardian/classic/assets/images/guardian/inventory/monitored/previous-scan-dropdown.png)

5. Select the **Files** category in the difference report to display the files in common between the two nodes. Each configuration item is represented by a square. When a configuration item is present on both nodes but with different attributes, the configuration item is shown in yellow.

    ![Diff report two scans](https://docs.cloudhouse.com/guardian/classic/assets/images/guardian/inventory/monitored/diff-report-two-scans.png)

6. Click **View File Diff** next to the file you want to see the detected differences for.
    ![View file diff two scans](https://docs.cloudhouse.com/guardian/classic/assets/images/guardian/inventory/monitored/view-file-diff-two-scans.png)

The **File Difference** page is displayed with a side-by-side comparison of the differences detected during the scan. Here, you can see exactly where the file differences are present within the two scans. You can then analyse differences and take action, if required.

![File difference two scans](https://docs.cloudhouse.com/guardian/classic/assets/images/guardian/inventory/monitored/file-difference-two-scans.png)