# 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. In the upper pane of the resulting dialog, all available editions of the selected element in the local history are displayed.
7. Select an edition in the upper pane to view the differences between the selected edition and the edition in the workbench.
8. If you are done with the comparison, click OK to close the dialog.

Java views
Java editor

Using the local history

Java outline