The illustrative embodiment of the present invention provides a method of reconciling and merging differences between displayed electronic diagrams. After differences between corresponding areas of the two electronic diagrams are detected, the software provides a mechanism for merging different attributes between the diagrams. Alternatively, the second diagram may receive all of the differences identified from the first diagram. Distinctions are made between graphical and functional attributes noted as differences between the two diagrams prior to the merge operation. The illustrative embodiment of the present invention enables the user to specify which type of attribute differences should be merged (i.e., graphical differences, functional differences, both graphical and functional, or only selected differences).