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.

 

Current requests

View Edit Add topic

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

File:Stamp of Indonesia - 2005 - Colnect 385135 - Indonesian Traditional Food - Kalimantan .jpeg → File:Stamps of Indonesia, 029-05.jpg

✓ Done --Sreejith K (talk) 19:32, 7 April 2026 (UTC)
Checkmark This section is resolved and can be archived. If you disagree, replace this template with your comment. --Sreejith K (talk) 19:32, 7 April 2026 (UTC)

Category:Glutinous rice dumplings → Category:No mai ci

  • Request: [Merge]
  • Reason:They are the same thing

--SingBow (talk) 15:15, 6 April 2026 (UTC)

File:Mayo FL old crths01.jpg → File:Mayo FL old crths01a.jpg

  • Request: Split
  • Reason: File that was 'uploaded over' by a now-inactive user back in 2011, where the original file is also good.

--The Bushranger (talk) 02:41, 13 April 2026 (UTC)

✓ Done --Sreejith K (talk) 20:32, 13 April 2026 (UTC)
Checkmark This section is resolved and can be archived. If you disagree, replace this template with your comment. --Sreejith K (talk) 20:32, 13 April 2026 (UTC)

Category:Anseriformes in Chile → Category:Anseriformes of Chile

  • Request: Merge
  • Reason: This request was archived even though it was never answered by anyone, and it remained unresolved. I am resubmitting it so that it can be answered by whoever has to do so.
    "Anseriformes in Chile" was created later (couple of weeks ago actually), and "Anseriformes of Chile" has existed since 2018. There should only be one category to avoid the current redundancy.

--SamuelInzunza (talk) 18:13, 19 April 2026 (UTC)

See also

Category:Commons help
Category:Commons help