> ## Knowledge Base Index > Fetch the complete knowledge base index at: https://support.contracthero.com/sitemap.xml > Use this file to discover available pages before exploring further. > Pure-Markdown content can be obtained by appending a '.md' suffix to the content URLs listed in the sitemap (without the trailing slash). # Duplicate detection: how do I find duplicate contracts? *The screenshots in this article show the German interface. The English label is given first, with the German label in square brackets.* Contracts that have been uploaded twice rarely stand out straight away — especially when the same file sits in the system under two different titles. Duplicate detection finds cases like these automatically: the **Possible document duplicates [Mögliche Dokumentenduplikate]** widget on your Overview [Übersicht] shows documents whose **text content** matches — no matter what the contracts are called. ## Your benefits * **Duplicates find themselves.** You don't have to compare anything manually — detection runs automatically across your contract portfolio. * **Titles are irrelevant.** What gets compared is the text content of the documents, not the contract title or the file name. Even a duplicate that was uploaded under a completely different name is found. * **A clean portfolio, reliable analyses.** Duplicate contracts distort counters, totals and reports — clearing them out early keeps your data reliable. ## How it works ### 1. Show the widget Open the **Overview [Übersicht]** and click **Add report [Bericht hinzufügen]** at the top. ![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/1/2/5/2/12522a019f980500/screenshot-2026-08-07-at-12173_dyqywl.png) Select **Possible document duplicates [Mögliche Dokumentenduplikate]** from the list. If the widget is already on your Overview [Übersicht], you can skip this step. ![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/1/2/5/2/12522a019f980500/screenshot-2026-08-07-at-12180_j149wj.png) ### 2. Review the duplicate groups The widget shows possible duplicates as groups — for example **Documents (2) [Dokumente (2)]** — along with the file names concerned. Each group contains documents whose text content matches. ![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/1/2/5/2/12522a019f980500/screenshot-2026-08-07-at-12185_6dhlba.png) ### 3. Open the document and compare Clicking an entry opens the corresponding contract with the document in the preview. Check whether it really is a duplicate — and which of the contracts carries the maintained fields, tasks or comments. ### 4. Decide and tidy up Duplicate detection only points things out — it does not delete or change anything automatically. If a contract really is a duplicate, delete the surplus version; it first goes to the recycle bin [Papierkorb] and so is not immediately lost for good. If an [approval rule of type "Contract deletion"](https://support.contracthero.com/en-us/article/approval-rules-require-approval-before-signing-or-deleting-1rkw4qf/) is active in your organisation, the deletion goes to approval first — the contract stays in the list unchanged until then. ## Frequently asked questions ### Why are two contracts with completely different titles shown as duplicates? Because detection compares the **text content** of the documents, not the title. Two contracts with different names but the same content are duplicates as far as detection is concerned — and those are precisely the cases that are hardest to find manually. ### Are duplicates deleted or merged automatically? No. The widget only displays possible duplicates — the decision about whether and what to delete remains entirely yours. There is no merge function for contracts (unlike for [contacts](https://support.contracthero.com/en-us/article/how-do-i-merge-duplicate-contacts-6qju6q/)). ### I can't see the widget — why is that? Add it via **Add report [Bericht hinzufügen]** on the Overview [Übersicht]. Every user puts their own overview together individually. ### What should I check before I delete a duplicate? Whether the version you are about to delete has fields, tasks, comments or links attached to it that are missing from the version you are keeping. Transfer that information first — deleted contracts do go to the recycle bin [Papierkorb], but maintained field values are lost along with them once they are deleted permanently. ## Good to know * **Renaming does not hide a duplicate.** Because it is the text content that counts, a duplicate document remains visible under a new name as well — so don't rely on comparing titles when tidying up. * **The same template is not proof of a duplicate.** Contracts created from the same template can look similar — before deleting, always check in the document itself whether it really is the same contract. * **Contact duplicates are handled separately:** there is a dedicated function for duplicate contacts, including merging. ## Related articles * [How do I merge duplicate contacts?](https://support.contracthero.com/en-us/article/how-do-i-merge-duplicate-contacts-6qju6q/) * [Customizable dashboard: your overview, your widgets](https://support.contracthero.com/en-us/article/customizable-dashboard-your-overview-your-widgets-1ahsxis/) * [How do I link attachments to a contract?](https://support.contracthero.com/en-us/article/how-do-i-link-attachments-to-a-contract-18km8im/)