How To Compare Excel Files For Differences In Excel

How to Compare Excel Files for Differences

Using Spreadsheet Compare

Spreadsheet Compare is a specialized tool designed to identify changes made to Excel workbooks. It can be used if you have Office Professional Plus 2013, 2016, 2019, or Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise. This tool facilitates the comparison of files from different folders, highlighting differences in color, and can also assess VBA code changes. Results can be exported directly to an Excel file for review.

Third-Party Excel Comparison Tools

Synkronizer Excel Compare, an add-in for Excel, offers the capability to compare, merge, and highlight differences between Excel sheets. It also creates detailed reports of the differences found. Similarly, Ablebits Compare Sheets for Excel allows for sheet comparison and enables users to manage discrepancies in the Review Differences mode. For a comprehensive comparison including data, VBA Projects, and formatting, xlCompare is a reliable utility. Change Pro for Excel provides a robust solution for comparing sheets across desktop and mobile devices, detecting formula, value, and layout changes, and even embedded objects like charts and graphs.

Steps to Compare Excel Sheets

To compare Excel files using Spreadsheet Compare, open the tool, load the workbooks in question, and initiate the comparison process. The differences will be visibly highlighted. For third-party tools like Synkronizer, Ablebits, xlCompare, or Change Pro, install the respective add-in or utility, open the Excel files you wish to compare within the add-in interface, and execute the comparison command. Review the highlighted discrepancies and manage or merge them as needed.

Benefits of Excel File Comparison

Comparing Excel files is essential to track changes, audit data, and ensure consistency across documents. Spreadsheet Compare and various third-party tools efficiently highlight and manage these differences, saving time and reducing errors in data analysis and reporting.

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