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On windows, Notepad++ compare plugin let's you compare unsaved files. So to compare two texts copied from elsewhere, just make two new tabs and paste the texts. Compare plugin will happily compare line by line.

On Linux I havent found something similar. The closes is Kate, but you still have to save tmp1.txt and tmp2.txt , and remove the clutter when finished.

Does anybody know a compare app that just lets you paste two text blocks without saving files first?

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[-] unexpectedprism@programming.dev 15 points 1 month ago

meld allows you to start an empty comparison and to paste content into it without saving.

[-] klangcola@reddthat.com 2 points 1 month ago

I already use Meld, yet somehow it never occurred to me to press that button xD Thanks!

[-] bobby@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 1 month ago

meld is pretty cool, yes.

this post was submitted on 16 Mar 2026
19 points (100.0% liked)

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