# Using a recipe diff to compare recipe changes

Workato tracks all changes made to a recipe and whenever the recipe is saved, a new version is created. But how do you know what changed from one recipe version to another?

With the Recipe Diff feature, you can visually compare two recipe versions and review the changes.

In this guide, we'll cover:


# How it works

Check out this video guide

The Recipe Diff (or difference) feature visually compares any two recipe versions and highlights their differences.

In tools like GitHub, the diff feature shows a text comparison. For example:

Example of a diff in GitHub

In Workato, the Recipe Diff feature shows a visual difference between two recipe versions. Recipe Diffs make it easier to review the changes and discuss them as part of the recipe development lifecycle. For example:

The Workato Recipe Diff page

How changes are displayed depends on the type of change.


# Change types

The Recipe Diff feature tracks the following types of recipe changes:

Note: Any combination of the following changes can happen in a single step. For example, a step's position or configuration can change, along with being (un)skipped or (un)nested.

# Adding a step

When a new step is added to a recipe version, the step will be highlighted in green:

Adding a step

# Deleting a step

When a step is deleted from a recipe version, the step will be highlighted in red:

Deleting a step

# Moving a step

When a step is moved in a recipe version, the step is highlighted in blue and a label describing the movement will display:

Moving a step

# Nesting or unnesting a step

When a step is nested or unnested in a recipe version, the step is highlighted in blue and a Nested or Unnested label will display:

Unnesting a step

# Updating a step's configuration

When a step's configuration is changed, the step will be highlighted in blue and an Updated config label will display. Furthermore, within the step configuration, field addition, removal, and updates will be displayed.

Updating a step's configuration

Viewing step-level changes

Field updates and datapill changes will display in the recipe diff.

  • Field addition (green)
  • Field removal (red)
  • Field updates (grey) - this includes switching datapills and formulas

# Skipping or unskipping a step

When a step is skipped or unskipped in a recipe version, the step will be highlighted in blue and a Skipped or Unskipped label will display:

Skipping a step


# Using recipe diffs

1

In your Workato account, open a recipe.

2

Click the Versions tab.

3

You can access the Recipe Diff feature in the following ways:

From the Version history page:
1

Check the checkboxes of the versions you want to compare:

Checking boxes next to versions to compare

2

Click the Compare VXX and VXX button:

Highlighted compare versions button

From the Version details page:
1

Click a recipe version.

2

On the Version details page, click Compare to current version near the top right corner of the page:

Highlighted compare current version button

If you're viewing the current version of the recipe, the button will read Compare to the previous version.

4

The Recipe Diff page will display:

The Recipe Diff page

Changes between the versions will be highlighted depending on their type.

You can also use interactions like Zoom by right-clicking or using keyboard shortcuts:

User interactions in the Recipe Diff page

5

To change the versions you're comparing, use the Compare from and Compare to menus:

The version comparison menus in the Recipe Diff page

The comparison views will automatically update with the selected version(s).


Last updated: 5/22/2024, 9:31:33 PM