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
See also categories: 
.jpg){kind=link}
File:Persian Calligraphy - Hassan Shamlou - Islamic Consultative Assembly Museum of Iran.jpg → File:Persian Calligraphy - Attributed to Gholamreza - Islamic Consultative Assembly Museum of Iran.jpg[edit]
- Request: Split the current file
- Reason: please split the current version with the provided info.
Hanooz 11:27, 23 January 2023 (UTC)
Done —Mdaniels5757 (talk • contribs) 12:44, 23 January 2023 (UTC)
This section is resolved and can be archived. If you disagree, replace this template with your comment. —Mdaniels5757 (talk • contribs) 12:44, 23 January 2023 (UTC) 
.jpg&action=edit&redlink=1){kind=link}
- Request: Split
- Reason: Image has been significantly cropped which is not a small change.
- Note: After splitting it would be useful to change all file uses to the new file name with exception of the usage in ru:Участник:Aleksandr Veprev/Фотографии, because this is a page of the original photographer and after splitting the original version will there be displayed, again.
— Speravir – 00:18, 6 February 2023 (UTC)
- Moved the overwritten file to File:Kate Hansen (crop).JPG. Feel free to rename it using {{Rename}} template if you disagree with the new name. --Sreejith K (talk) 01:30, 6 February 2023 (UTC)
.JPG){kind=link}
This section is resolved and can be archived. If you disagree, replace this template with your comment. --Sreejith K (talk) 01:30, 6 February 2023 (UTC) 
- Request: Split
- Reason: a imagem inicial e válida foi sobrescrita por outra de origem desconhecida.
--Luan (talk) 01:34, 7 February 2023 (UTC)