# Comparing a Java Element With a Local History Edition

1. Make sure that a Java view is visible.
2. Open a Java editor for the Java file in which you want to compare a Java element with an edition from the local history.
3. Activate the editor by clicking its tab in the editor area. The Outline view also displays the Java file. Note: The Package Explorer can be configured to show or not show Java elements in files. Use the Show Members in Package Explorer checkbox on the Java > Appearance preference page to set your preference.
4. Select the element that you want to compare in the Outline or the Package Explorer.
5. From the element's pop-up menu, select Compare With > Element from Local History.
6. The History view opens and shows all editions of the selected element available in the local history.
7. Select an edition in the history view to see the differences between the selected edition and the edition in the workbench in a comparison editor.
8. If you are done with the comparison, click close the comparison editor.

Java views
Java editor

Using the local history

Java outline