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.

 

Shortcut

Current requests

View Edit Add topic

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

Category:Count of St Germain → Category:Count of St. Germain

  • Request: Merge
  • Reason: His name usually includes a full stop/period to abbreviate "Saint".

--~2026-37688-52 (talk) 02:38, 1 July 2026 (UTC)

✓ Done --Achim55 (talk) 14:17, 1 July 2026 (UTC)
Checkmark This section is resolved and can be archived. If you disagree, replace this template with your comment. --Achim55 (talk) 14:17, 1 July 2026 (UTC)

File:Historical marker Fort Santiago.jpg → File:Historical marker for Fort Santiago.jpg

  • Request: Split
  • Reason: Photos of the same plaque taken in different years. The first two files were taken in or before 2013 (with the 2nd of these being a cropped version of the 1st), while the latest file was taken in 2024.

—seav (talk) 02:06, 2 July 2026 (UTC)

✓ Done --Sreejith K (talk) 18:37, 2 July 2026 (UTC)
Checkmark This section is resolved and can be archived. If you disagree, replace this template with your comment. --Sreejith K (talk) 18:37, 2 July 2026 (UTC)

File:Manila Metropolitan Theater historical marker.jpg → File:Manila Metropolitan Theater 1988 marker.jpg

  • Request: Split
  • Reason: Photos of the same plaque taken in different years. The first two files were taken in or before 2012 (with the 2nd of these being a cropped version of the 1st), while the latest file was taken in 2024.

—seav (talk) 02:09, 2 July 2026 (UTC)

✓ Done --Sreejith K (talk) 18:37, 2 July 2026 (UTC)
Checkmark This section is resolved and can be archived. If you disagree, replace this template with your comment. --Sreejith K (talk) 18:37, 2 July 2026 (UTC)

File:New Magalang Town Plaza11.jpg → File:Indung Magalang book and eagle sculpture.jpg

  • Request: Split
  • Reason: Clearly different photos of the same object taken at different angles.

—seav (talk) 02:12, 2 July 2026 (UTC)

✓ Done --Sreejith K (talk) 18:37, 2 July 2026 (UTC)
Checkmark This section is resolved and can be archived. If you disagree, replace this template with your comment. --Sreejith K (talk) 18:37, 2 July 2026 (UTC)

File:Der Abschied (Carl Spitzweg).jpg → File:Carl Spitzweg - Der Abschied.jpg → File:Carl-spitzweg-der-abschied.jpg

  • Request: [Merge]
  • Reason: Three images of the same art work that are all used in different places, the third one is highest quality.

SiMon (talk) 17:37, 2 July 2026 (UTC)

✓ Done --Sreejith K (talk) 18:37, 2 July 2026 (UTC)
Checkmark This section is resolved and can be archived. If you disagree, replace this template with your comment. --Sreejith K (talk) 18:37, 2 July 2026 (UTC)

File:Flag of Arunachal Pradesh.svg → File:Seal of Arunachal Pradesh.svg

  • Request: [Split]
  • Reason: The flag, with white background, was overwritten with just the seal, with transparent background. Please split into different files.

--Jonteemil (talk) 12:23, 4 July 2026 (UTC)

✓ Done --Sreejith K (talk) 19:00, 4 July 2026 (UTC)
Checkmark This section is resolved and can be archived. If you disagree, replace this template with your comment. --Sreejith K (talk) 19:00, 4 July 2026 (UTC)

File:2000-NHI-Bagong Bilangguang Bilibid.png → File:2000-NHI-Bagong Bilangguang Bilibid marker.png

  • Request: Split
  • Reason: Photos of the same plaque taken in different years. The first file was taken in 2023, while the latest file was taken in 2024.

—seav (talk) 06:49, 5 July 2026 (UTC)

✓ Done --Sreejith K (talk) 14:36, 5 July 2026 (UTC)
Checkmark This section is resolved and can be archived. If you disagree, replace this template with your comment. --Sreejith K (talk) 14:36, 5 July 2026 (UTC)

File:Felipe Salvador monument.jpg → various

—seav (talk) 06:54, 5 July 2026 (UTC)

✓ Done --Sreejith K (talk) 14:36, 5 July 2026 (UTC)
Checkmark This section is resolved and can be archived. If you disagree, replace this template with your comment. --Sreejith K (talk) 14:36, 5 July 2026 (UTC)

File:Tun Tan Cheng Lock speaking at the 1952 meeting of teachers, school managers and leaders of MCA.png → File:Tun Tan Cheng Lock speaking at the 1952 meeting of teachers, school managers and leaders of MCA.jpg

  • Request: [Merge]
  • Reason: Similar file, request for merge to the JPG file since the PNG was mistakenly uploaded

-- Ṉight Ḻantern 🏮 02:25, 7 July 2026 (UTC)

 Not done - File type mismatch. --Sreejith K (talk) 15:59, 7 July 2026 (UTC)
Checkmark This section is resolved and can be archived. If you disagree, replace this template with your comment. --Sreejith K (talk) 15:59, 7 July 2026 (UTC)

File:Chung Ling High School, Penang, 1935.png → File:Chung Ling High School, Penang, 1935.jpg

  • Request: [Merge]
  • Reason: Similar file, request for merge to the JPG file since the PNG was mistakenly uploaded

-- Ṉight Ḻantern 🏮 02:26, 7 July 2026 (UTC)

 Not done - Fie type differs, so cannot merge. Added {{Duplicate}} tag instead. --Sreejith K (talk) 16:09, 7 July 2026 (UTC)
Checkmark This section is resolved and can be archived. If you disagree, replace this template with your comment. --Sreejith K (talk) 16:09, 7 July 2026 (UTC)

Category:Bandsteg → Category:Lapel ribbon loops

  • Request: [Merge]
  • Reason:Across linguistic versions in Wikidata these categories were connected to award pin (Q1952930) / Bandsteg (Q96000293), which caused the corresponding categories to divert.

--Muumi (talk) 10:23, 7 July 2026 (UTC)

File:Carl Spitzweg 036.jpg → File:Carl Spitzweg - Sonntagsspaziergang.jpg

  • Request: [Merge]
  • Reason: Two images of the same art work that are both used in different places, the second one is of higher quality.

SiMon (talk) 12:52, 7 July 2026 (UTC)

✓ Done --Sreejith K (talk) 16:09, 7 July 2026 (UTC)
Checkmark This section is resolved and can be archived. If you disagree, replace this template with your comment. --Sreejith K (talk) 16:09, 7 July 2026 (UTC)

File:Tallahassee Community College entrance.jpg → File:Tallahassee Community College entrance and administration building.jpg

  • Request: [Merge]
  • Reason: The target is a lightened and rotated version of the first image, which was (presumably) uploaded seperately by the creator instead of uploading a new version. As these are the same picture, just with the target being an improved version, they should be merged I believe. - The Bushranger (talk) 04:01, 9 July 2026 (UTC)

--The Bushranger (talk) 04:01, 9 July 2026 (UTC)

✓ Done --Sreejith K (talk) 04:13, 9 July 2026 (UTC)
Checkmark This section is resolved and can be archived. If you disagree, replace this template with your comment. --Sreejith K (talk) 04:13, 9 July 2026 (UTC)

File:Bell tower of Jaro.jpg → File:Bell tower of Jaro - 2.jpg and File:Bell tower of Jaro - 3.jpg

  • Request: Split
  • Reason: Photos of the same object taken at slightly different angles.

—seav (talk) 23:59, 9 July 2026 (UTC)

✓ Done --Sreejith K (talk) 04:18, 10 July 2026 (UTC)
Checkmark This section is resolved and can be archived. If you disagree, replace this template with your comment. --Sreejith K (talk) 04:18, 10 July 2026 (UTC)

File:Renato D. Tayag (1915-1985) NHCP Historical Marker.jpg → File:Renato D. Tayag (1915-1985) NHCP Marker.jpg

  • Request: Split
  • Reason: Photos of the same plaque taken in different years. First file was taken in or before 2018 while the second file was taken in 2024.

—seav (talk) 00:02, 10 July 2026 (UTC)

✓ Done --Sreejith K (talk) 04:18, 10 July 2026 (UTC)
Checkmark This section is resolved and can be archived. If you disagree, replace this template with your comment. --Sreejith K (talk) 04:18, 10 July 2026 (UTC)

File:Carl_Spitzweg_-_Zollrevision_(Päpstliche_Zollwache).jpg → File:Carl Spitzweg - Päpstliche Zollrevision - G 331 - Lenbachhaus.jpg

  • Request: [Merge]
  • Reason: Two images of the same art work that are both used in different places, the second one is of higher quality.

SiMon (talk) 20:32, 11 July 2026 (UTC)

✓ Done --Sreejith K (talk) 04:38, 12 July 2026 (UTC)
Checkmark This section is resolved and can be archived. If you disagree, replace this template with your comment. --Sreejith K (talk) 04:38, 12 July 2026 (UTC)

File:Paco Church Marker 2.jpg → File:Simbahang San Fernando de Dilao ng Paco marker.jpg

  • Request: Split
  • Reason: Photos of the same plaque taken in different years.

—seav (talk) 00:10, 13 July 2026 (UTC)

✓ Done --Sreejith K (talk) 04:50, 13 July 2026 (UTC)
Checkmark This section is resolved and can be archived. If you disagree, replace this template with your comment. --Sreejith K (talk) 04:50, 13 July 2026 (UTC)

File:Paco Church Marker.jpg → File:Church of Dilao-Paco marker.jpg

  • Request: Split
  • Reason: Photos of the same plaque taken in different years.

—seav (talk) 00:11, 13 July 2026 (UTC)

✓ Done --Sreejith K (talk) 04:51, 13 July 2026 (UTC)
Checkmark This section is resolved and can be archived. If you disagree, replace this template with your comment. --Sreejith K (talk) 04:51, 13 July 2026 (UTC)

See also

Category:Commons help
Category:Commons help