# Merge Documents

> Merge two or more drafts that share the same previous version into one document, with each author’s changes shown in a different color.

## Overview

To merge documents together, they must share the same previous version in common.

![Overview of merging multiple document versions in Version Story](https://www.versionstory.com/help/merging-documents/1-merge.3f347e71.jpg)

## Merge the drafts

1. Add to the project the two or more versions you want to merge, and the previous version they share.

   ![Adding the versions to merge and their shared previous version to the project](https://www.versionstory.com/help/merging-documents/2-add-documents.0cef3ba0.jpg)

2. Connect each version you want to merge to that same previous version.

   ![Connecting the versions to merge to the same previous version](https://www.versionstory.com/help/merging-documents/3-create-mappings.ab81b024.jpg)

3. Select the versions to merge: Control-click each one on Windows, or Command-click on a Mac.

   ![Control- or Command-clicking to select each version to merge](https://www.versionstory.com/help/merging-documents/4-select-versions.46fa1129.jpg)

4. Click **Merge** in the bottom toolbar, name the merged version, and click **Start Merge**.

   ![Naming the merged version and clicking Start Merge](https://www.versionstory.com/help/merging-documents/5-name-merge.f09d1931.jpg)

5. A new tile appears on the project canvas for the merged version. Click its **View Merge Redline**
   button.

   ![The new merged-version tile on the project canvas](https://www.versionstory.com/help/merging-documents/6-merge-created.f4c4746f.jpg)

6. The merged version opens in the document viewer, with each author's changes in their own color.

   ![The merged version in the document viewer with each author’s changes in a unique color](https://www.versionstory.com/help/merging-documents/7-view-merge.a5c8fc74.jpg)

## Download

You can download the merged version as a Word (.docx) file with tracked changes.

When you open it in Word, the colors for the different authors differ from the ones in Version Story:
Word's own settings choose them. [Show Merge Changes by Author in Word](/help/show-merge-changes-by-author-in-word)
explains how to show each author in a color of their own.

## Related

- [Merge Conflicts](/help/merge-conflicts): how Version Story handles changes that conflict
- [Show Merge Changes by Author in Word](/help/show-merge-changes-by-author-in-word): one color per author in Word