---
title: View and compare photos
description: Compare photographs, narrow a group and understand the difference between going Back and undoing an edit in IPS Viewer Lite.
url: "https://viewips.com/docs/viewing-comparing-images/"
updated: "2026-10-12"
category: Show and select images
---

# View and compare photos

Select photos in the filmstrip, open them together, then narrow the group as your client makes choices.

## Select a group

- **Click:** select one photo.
- **Ctrl+click:** add or remove individual photos.
- **Shift+click:** select a range.
- **Ctrl+Shift+click:** add a range to the existing selection.

Double-click a selected photo or press Enter to open the selection. To compare fewer photos, select the ones you want within that group and open them.

Photo commands apply to your selection, which may be smaller than the displayed group. Notes and image adjustments require exactly one selected photo.

## Move around

Use the arrow keys, Home, End, Page Up, and Page Down to navigate. Ctrl+Space toggles the keyboard photo selection. Ctrl+A selects all photos in the active photo area.

The mouse wheel scrolls the filmstrip. Ctrl+J brings the current photo into view there. Finish typing in a field or close a menu before using photo shortcuts; those controls take keyboard priority.

## Look more closely

Detail zoom works when you’re displaying one to eight photos. Selecting a few photos inside a larger displayed group doesn’t change that limit.

Use plus, minus, or the wheel over a detail view to zoom. Magnification changes in 1.25× steps, up to 8× the fitted view. That’s relative to Fit, not a pixel-for-pixel measurement.

Drag a zoomed photo to pan. Select it and choose **Image → Fit Image** to return to Fit, or use **View → Reset All Detail Views** for the group.

Displaying more than eight photos clears detail zoom. Zoom and pan aren’t saved in the session or Undo history.

## Return to an earlier view

Use Back or Alt+Left to go back, and Forward or Alt+Right to go forward. Escape acts as Back in the main window.

If you’re zoomed in, the first Back returns the photos to Fit. Press Back again to return to an earlier view.

Going back doesn’t undo Yes/Maybe/No choices or order changes. View history also isn’t saved when you close and reopen a session.

## Correct a change

Use Ctrl+Z for Undo and Ctrl+Y for Redo on supported actions. Check each result so you know what changed. If the action isn’t covered, edit the choice, note, or order item directly.

Undo doesn’t restore temporary zoom or pan, and its history isn’t stored in the .IPS file. Keep saved copies of work you need to preserve.

## Keep the selection clear

You can compare a smaller group without creating a saved named group. Use Back, categories, and filters to return to other photos.

Before ordering, check which photos are selected. If the client wants prints from two images, select those two rather than assuming everything displayed will be included. Save the session after each useful round of decisions.

## Related guides

- [Favorites and sorting](https://viewips.com/docs/sorting-images/)
- [Cropping and image appearance](https://viewips.com/docs/crop-rotate-treatments/)
- [Adding and editing orders](https://viewips.com/docs/order-item/)
- [Client display](https://viewips.com/docs/second-screen/)