Commons:History merging and splitting
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
[edit]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 |
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Special:MergeHistory makes it possible to automatically merge the history of two pages. |
History splitting
[edit]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 |
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A history merge could also be undone in this way. |
Requesting a merge or split
[edit]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 2with the page you wantFILE/PAGE 1contents to be merged into. - For splits, replace
FILE/PAGE 2with the new filename which you want the newer content to be moved fromFILE/PAGE 1.
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Current requests
.jpg_→_File:Forman_Park_fountain_and_Crowne_Plaza_hotel,_Syracuse.jpg){kind=link}
.svg){kind=link}
File:Fountain Before Dusk Pt. 2 (9147700097).jpg → File:Forman Park fountain and Crowne Plaza hotel, Syracuse.jpg
[edit].jpg){kind=link}
- Request: [Merge]
- Reason: duplicate file, same size
--Kiran891 (talk) 02:14, 15 January 2025 (UTC)
Done Merged the files using {{Duplicate}} tag. --Sreejith K (talk) 13:32, 15 January 2025 (UTC)
This section is resolved and can be archived. If you disagree, replace this template with your comment. --Sreejith K (talk) 13:32, 15 January 2025 (UTC) 
.svg){kind=link}
- Request: [Merge]
- Reason: Both files are identical except only by image size of the file, so having both files merged into single one is necessary for it.
--114.4.214.183 19:34, 16 January 2025 (UTC)
.svg){kind=link}
- Done --Sreejith K (talk) 04:40, 17 January 2025 (UTC)
This section is resolved and can be archived. If you disagree, replace this template with your comment. --Sreejith K (talk) 04:40, 17 January 2025 (UTC) - Request: Merge
- Reason: The first category is pretty much a duplicate of the second category, which is also the bigger and older one. I request the merging of the smaller category into de bigger one.
--SamuelInzunza (talk) 21:22, 17 January 2025 (UTC)
- Request: Split
- Reason: Newer image is a different image from the older one.
--WikiEditor50 (talk) 19:23, 21 January 2025 (UTC)
- Done --Sreejith K (talk) 19:34, 21 January 2025 (UTC)
This section is resolved and can be archived. If you disagree, replace this template with your comment. --Sreejith K (talk) 19:34, 21 January 2025 (UTC) 
- Request: Split
- Reason: Newer image is a different image from the older one.
--WikiEditor50 (talk) 19:39, 21 January 2025 (UTC)
- Done - For simple requests like these, you dont have to add a request here. You just need to add {{Split}} template on the page. --Sreejith K (talk) 21:13, 21 January 2025 (UTC)
This section is resolved and can be archived. If you disagree, replace this template with your comment. --Sreejith K (talk) 21:13, 21 January 2025 (UTC) - Request: Merge
- Reason: Two categories were created over time for the same person.
--Alavense (talk) 15:32, 22 January 2025 (UTC)
- Done --Sreejith K (talk) 22:07, 22 January 2025 (UTC)
This section is resolved and can be archived. If you disagree, replace this template with your comment. --Sreejith K (talk) 22:07, 22 January 2025 (UTC) - Request: Merge
- Reason: I don't see the distinction? Two categories are not linked. @CapitalLines: may not have been aware of the existence of the prior category, created one year earlier.
--Shawn à Montréal (talk) 19:25, 27 January 2025 (UTC)