A file conflict occurs when multiple users or systems attempt to change the same file simultaneously, leading to incompatible versions. It typically arises in collaborative environments, like shared cloud storage or version control systems. Unlike simply saving an older file version, a conflict happens when concurrent changes cannot be merged automatically because they affect the same part of the file. The system detects these overlapping modifications and prevents accidental data overwrite.

For instance, two colleagues editing the same spreadsheet cell in real-time using Google Sheets will trigger a conflict notification requiring manual resolution. Similarly, developers using Git encounter conflicts if their separate code commits modify identical lines; the Git system flags these conflicts during a merge or pull operation, halting the process until the inconsistency is reviewed and manually fixed.

File conflicts protect data integrity by preventing silent overwrites but create workflow interruptions. Resolving them demands human intervention to compare changes and decide the correct version, which can slow progress. Innovations focus on smarter merge tools with predictive resolution suggestions. Clear collaboration protocols and communication help minimize conflicts, though they remain an inherent challenge of real-time multi-user editing.