Commons:History merging and splitting

Visualization of the merging process.

Shortcuts: COM:HMS • COM:HISTMERGE This page provides information on issues and solutions relating pages and files that underwent cut-and-paste moves (which its history has to be put back together), and inappropriate merging/overwriting (of which its history needs to be split).

History merging

Because most users have the ability to use the move page function, cut-and-paste moves are usually done by people who are not aware of that function, or when the move function fails (e.g. because the target has history), and people who aren't aware of the Administrators Noticeboard forum to ask for help from an administrator.

When a cut-and-paste move is done, the page history of a page can be split among two or more different pages. This is very undesirable, because we need to keep the history with the content for copyright reasons. In most circumstances, administrators are able to fix this by merging page histories.

Instructions for admins
  1. Temporarily delete NewPage
  2. Move OldPage to NewPage, using the move functionality. (In case it is a file, you have to open the Move & Replace link in a new tab or disable AjaxQuickDelete in your preferences.) (Now the old history versions are the whole of the new title’s.)
  3. Undelete the NewPage page, by:
    1. Viewing the page/file history
    2. Clicking “View or restore … deleted edits?”, and
    3. Clicking on “Restore!”. (Now the new title’s history has both the old and new versions, including an extra copy of the most recent version of OldPage, created by the move tool.)
  4. At this stage, NewPage will only show the text “#REDIRECT NewPage” (assuming a redirect was the most recent version of OldPage, the NewPage page will now be showing whatever the most recent version of OldPage was). The last step is to revert (or RevisionDelete) to the last version of NewPage from before the move.

Special:MergeHistory makes it possible to automatically merge the history of two pages.

History splitting

Over time, pages or files may change from one underlying topic to a completely separate topic. Normally, this should be accomplished through moves of pages, or by reuploading an altered file on a slightly different title. However, if a user is unfamiliar with those processes they may simply change the subject of a page or file (overwriting the old). If this is not caught immediately it is very easy for the new topic to build up a substantial edit history of its own.

Instructions for admins
  1. Temporarily delete the page/file (original title)
  2. Restore previous revisions up to (but not including) the point where the topic was changed.
  3. Move (without redirect) the restored versions (old topic) to the desired new title. (In case it is a file, you have to open the Move & Replace link in a new tab or disable AjaxQuickDelete in your preferences.)
    • If there’s already a file or page under the new title and you wish to histmerge into it:
    a) select the “delete the existing article” option, while moving;
    b) restore deleted revisions of new title.
  4. Restore new revisions of new topic (still at original title).

A history merge could also be undone in this way.

Requesting a merge or split

To request a merge or split, fill the following template, and submit it at the bottom of this page. Remember, both files need to be of the same type. Merging of more than two files may also be possible in some cases.


== [[:FILE/PAGE 1]] → [[:FILE/PAGE 2]] ==
* Request: [Split or Merge]
* Reason:
--~~~~

For merges, replace FILE/PAGE 2 with the page you want FILE/PAGE 1 contents to be merged into.

For splits, replace FILE/PAGE 2 with the new filename which you want the newer content to be moved from FILE/PAGE 1.

 

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Current requests

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 See also categories: Media requiring a split up and Requested merges.

Category:Weekend Today logos → Category:Today (U.S. TV program) logos

  • Request: [Split]
  • Reason: please split

— Preceding unsigned comment added by NinaFan84748357 (talk • contribs)

 Question These are two different categories anyways. What do you mean by splitting? --Sreejith K (talk) 15:55, 14 May 2025 (UTC)

Category:NBC Nightly News logos → Category:NBC Nightly News Weekend Edition logos

  • Request: [Split]
  • Reason: please split

— Preceding unsigned comment added by NinaFan84748357 (talk • contribs)

  • Comment No actual reason given. So this request needs to be declined.--Yayan550 (talk) 21:32, 3 May 2025 (UTC)

Category:NBC Nightly News → Category: NBC Nightly News Weekend Edition

  • Request: [Split]
  • Reason: please split

— Preceding unsigned comment added by NinaFan84748357 (talk • contribs)

  • Comment No actual reason given. So this request needs to be declined. --Yayan550 (talk) 21:32, 3 May 2025 (UTC)

Category:CBS Evening News → Category:CBS Weekend News

  • Request: [Split]
  • Reason: please split

— Preceding unsigned comment added by NinaFan84748357 (talk • contribs)

  • Comment No actual reason given. So this request needs to be declined. --Yayan550 (talk) 21:32, 3 May 2025 (UTC)

Category:CBS Evening News logos → Category:CBS Weekend News logos

  • Request: [Split]
  • Reason: please split

— Preceding unsigned comment added by NinaFan84748357 (talk • contribs)

  • Comment No actual reason given. So this request needs to be declined. --Yayan550 (talk) 21:32, 3 May 2025 (UTC)

Category:Washington Week → Category:Washington Week with The Atlantic

  • Request: [merge]
  • Reason: please merge

— Preceding unsigned comment added by NinaFan84748357 (talk • contribs)

  • Comment No actual reason given. So this request needs to be declined. --Yayan550 (talk) 21:32, 3 May 2025 (UTC)

Category:ABC World News Tonight → Category:ABC World News Tonight Weekend

  • Request: [Split]
  • Reason: please split

— Preceding unsigned comment added by NinaFan84748357 (talk • contribs)

  • Comment No actual reason given. So this request needs to be declined. --Yayan550 (talk) 21:32, 3 May 2025 (UTC)

Category:CNN This Morning with Kasie Hunt

  • Request: [Split]
  • Reason: please split

— Preceding unsigned comment added by NinaFan84748357 (talk • contribs)

  • Comment No actual reason given. So this request needs to be declined. --Yayan550 (talk) 21:32, 3 May 2025 (UTC)

Category:SVG logos of local American Broadcasting Company stations → Category:SVG logos of American Broadcasting Company affiliates

  • Request: [Merge]
  • Reason: please merge

— Preceding unsigned comment added by NinaFan84748357 (talk • contribs)

  • Comment No actual reason given. So this request needs to be declined. --Yayan550 (talk) 21:32, 3 May 2025 (UTC)

File:AMAZON.svg →File:Amazon logo.svg

--Yayan550 (talk) 21:27, 3 May 2025 (UTC)

✓ Done --Sreejith K (talk) 03:07, 4 May 2025 (UTC)
Checkmark This section is resolved and can be archived. If you disagree, replace this template with your comment. --Sreejith K (talk) 03:07, 4 May 2025 (UTC)

File:National Public Radio logo.svg

  • Request: [Split]
  • Reason: please split

— Preceding unsigned comment was added by 2601:8c:4182:9ab0:2915:c69b:1ddd:c816 (talk)

✓ Done See File:National Public Radio logo (2).svg --Sreejith K (talk) 04:06, 8 May 2025 (UTC)
Checkmark This section is resolved and can be archived. If you disagree, replace this template with your comment. --Sreejith K (talk) 04:06, 8 May 2025 (UTC)

File:QinShiHuang19century.jpg → File:Portrait of Qin Shi Huang.jpg

  • Request: Split
  • Reason: Different scan.

--0x0a (talk) 10:00, 8 May 2025 (UTC)

✓ Done --Sreejith K (talk) 15:03, 8 May 2025 (UTC)
Checkmark This section is resolved and can be archived. If you disagree, replace this template with your comment. --Sreejith K (talk) 15:03, 8 May 2025 (UTC)

File:Logo site.svg → File:NTT logo.svg

  • Request: [Merge]
  • Reason: Both files are essentially same image, except both are different names. So, in order to make a file regarding the subject more efficient and in preparation of eventual file merger with File:NTT company logo.svg, i request both files to be merge in the first step. Thank you.

--Yayan550 (talk) 09:22, 10 May 2025 (UTC)

✓ Done --Sreejith K (talk) 20:24, 10 May 2025 (UTC)
Checkmark This section is resolved and can be archived. If you disagree, replace this template with your comment. --Sreejith K (talk) 20:24, 10 May 2025 (UTC)

File:Një zile moderne e derës.jpg → File:Zile moderne e Deres.jpg

  • Request: Merge
  • Reason:Same photo. The uploader does not want metadata to be displayed.

--0x0a (talk) 17:14, 10 May 2025 (UTC)

✓ Done --Sreejith K (talk) 20:24, 10 May 2025 (UTC)
Checkmark This section is resolved and can be archived. If you disagree, replace this template with your comment. --Sreejith K (talk) 20:24, 10 May 2025 (UTC)

File:National Public Radio logo.svg → File:National Public Radio logo (3).svg

  • Request: [Split]
  • Reason: please split

— Preceding unsigned comment was added by 2601:8c:4182:9ab0:b1b2:44cf:32b3:4957 (talk)

✓ Done --Sreejith K (talk) 13:38, 12 May 2025 (UTC)
Checkmark This section is resolved and can be archived. If you disagree, replace this template with your comment. --Sreejith K (talk) 13:38, 12 May 2025 (UTC)

Category: The Family Channel (American TV network, founded 1990) → Category:Freeform

  • Request: [Merge]
  • Reason: please merge
  • Comment No actual reason given, because we need to more specify the reason why you should merge or split the file/category. So this request needs to be declined. --Yayan550 (talk) 05:17, 13 May 2025 (UTC)

File:ABC-2021-LOGO.svg → File:ABC-2021-LOGO (2).svg

  • Request: Split
  • Reason: please split
  • Comment No actual reason given, because we need to more specify the reason why you should merge or split the file/category. So this request needs to be declined. --Yayan550 (talk) 05:17, 13 May 2025 (UTC)

Category:ABC Family → Category:Freeform

  • Request: [Merge]
  • Reason: please merge
  • Comment No actual reason given, because we need to more specify the reason why you should merge or split the file/category. So this request needs to be declined. --Yayan550 (talk) 05:18, 13 May 2025 (UTC)

File:ABC (2013) Blue.svg → File:ABC (2013) Blue (2).svg

  • Request: Split
  • Reason: please split
  • Comment No actual reason given, because we need to more specify the reason why you should merge or split the file/category. So this request needs to be declined. --Yayan550 (talk) 05:24, 13 May 2025 (UTC)

File:ABC (2013) Dark Grey.svg → File:ABC (2013) Dark Grey (2).svg

  • Request: Split
  • Reason: please split
  • Comment No actual reason given, because we need to more specify the reason why you should merge or split the file/category. So this request needs to be declined. --Yayan550 (talk) 05:29, 13 May 2025 (UTC)
    Please approve 2601:8C:4182:9AB0:2889:2D68:1245:F06D 00:55, 14 May 2025 (UTC)
What the specific reasons for this file that you want to split? There's still no clear reason for split. Yayan550 (talk) 03:58, 15 May 2025 (UTC)

File:ABC (2013) Gold.svg → File:ABC (2013) Gold (2).svg

  • Request: Split
  • Reason: please split
  • Comment No actual reason given, because we need to more specify the reason why you should merge or split the file/category. So this request needs to be declined. --Yayan550 (talk) 05:18, 13 May 2025 (UTC)

File:ABC (2013) Red.svg → File:ABC (2013) Red (2).svg

  • Request: Split
  • Reason: please split

2601:8C:4182:9AB0:6891:986E:89A:E2AE 02:11, 13 May 2025 (UTC)

Please specify how to split. Which versions should move to a new file and what should be the name. --Sreejith K (talk) 03:36, 13 May 2025 (UTC)

File:Coat of Arms of Leo XIV.svg → File:Coat of Arms of Pope Leo XIV.svg

✓ Done --Sreejith K (talk) 13:12, 13 May 2025 (UTC)
Checkmark This section is resolved and can be archived. If you disagree, replace this template with your comment. --Sreejith K (talk) 13:12, 13 May 2025 (UTC)

File:ABC (2013) Red.svg → File:ABC (2013) Red (3).svg

  • Request: Split
  • Reason: please split
Which all versions should go to File:ABC (2013) Red (3).svg? And how are they different from the rest of the uploads? --Sreejith K (talk) 13:13, 13 May 2025 (UTC)

File:ABC (2013) Dark Grey.svg → File:ABC (2013) Dark Grey (2).svg

  • Request: Split
  • Reason: please split

2601:8C:4182:9AB0:6891:986E:89A:E2AE 10:47, 13 May 2025 (UTC)

Please specify how you want to group the pictures. --Sreejith K (talk) 13:10, 13 May 2025 (UTC)

File:ABC (2013) Dark Grey.svg → File:American Broadcasting Company (2018).svg

  • Request: [Split]
  • Reason: please split

2601:8C:4182:9AB0:2889:2D68:1245:F06D 00:59, 14 May 2025 (UTC)

  • Comment No clear reason regarding why this file need to be split or not. So this request needs to be declined. --Yayan550 (talk) 08:18, 14 May 2025 (UTC)

File:Coat of arms of Leone XIV.svg → File:Coat of Arms of Pope Leo XIV.svg

File:Pabrik Gula Randugunting (1).jpg → File:Pabrik Gula Randugunting (2).jpg

  • Request: Split
  • Reason: Bad overwriting.

--0x0a (talk) 05:32, 14 May 2025 (UTC)

✓ Done --Sreejith K (talk) 13:26, 14 May 2025 (UTC)
Checkmark This section is resolved and can be archived. If you disagree, replace this template with your comment. --Sreejith K (talk) 13:26, 14 May 2025 (UTC)

File:Samsung 850 PRO 512GB.jpg → File:Samsung SSD 850 PRO 512GB.jpg

  • Request:Merge
  • Reason: Same photo. The uploader does not want metadata to be displayed.

--0x0a (talk) 06:50, 14 May 2025 (UTC)

✓ Done --Sreejith K (talk) 13:31, 14 May 2025 (UTC)
Checkmark This section is resolved and can be archived. If you disagree, replace this template with your comment. --Sreejith K (talk) 13:31, 14 May 2025 (UTC)

File:Router ASUS RT-N12+.jpg → File:ASUS RT-N12+.jpg

  • Request: Merge
  • Reason: Same photo. The uploader does not want metadata to be displayed.

--0x0a (talk) 06:58, 14 May 2025 (UTC)

✓ Done --Sreejith K (talk) 13:35, 14 May 2025 (UTC)
Checkmark This section is resolved and can be archived. If you disagree, replace this template with your comment. --Sreejith K (talk) 13:35, 14 May 2025 (UTC)

File:Google Logo 2025.svg →File:Google Favicon 2025.svg

  • Request: [Merge]
  • Reason: Same image, except the former had large file size (3,060 × 3,158) while the later had file size of 512x512. I suggest them to merge as a single file.

--Yayan550 (talk) 23:03, 14 May 2025 (UTC)

✓ Done --Sreejith K (talk) 03:36, 15 May 2025 (UTC)
Checkmark This section is resolved and can be archived. If you disagree, replace this template with your comment. --Sreejith K (talk) 03:36, 15 May 2025 (UTC)

See also

Category:Commons help
Category:Commons help