What does comparing Excel files mean?
Comparing Excel files means checking two versions of the same workbook, the original and the modified one, to know exactly what changed: which cells have a different value, which rows or columns were added or deleted, and which sheets were renamed.
The comparison is smart: it detects inserted or deleted rows, so a single new row does not mark the rest of the sheet as changed. Changes are shown in color: yellow for modified, green for added and red for deleted.
Advantages
- Compares every sheet of the workbook at once.
- On-screen summary and a filterable list of every change, with the old and the new value.
- Download a merged workbook (.xlsx) that keeps the formatting of your file.
- Reports in PDF, ODS, HTML or CSV, depending on the site settings.
- Private: files are compared in your browser and never uploaded to a server.
How to compare two Excel files
- Add the original file to the first box.
- Add the modified file to the second box. You can also drop both at once: the older one becomes the original.
- If you like, adjust the options: ignore case, ignore spaces or compare formulas.
- Click "Compare" and review the summary, the list of changes and the merged document.
- Download the report in the format you prefer.
Ideas for using it
- Check what a colleague changed in a budget or a price list.
- Track versions of inventories, payrolls or customer lists.
- Reconcile exports from an accounting system or an ERP.
- Grade assignments or verify data before publishing it.
- Audit changes in spreadsheets shared by email.
Tips for the best result
- Always use the older version as the original so the colors make sense.
- Turn on "ignore spaces" if the data comes from different systems.
- Use the list filter to review only one type of change.
- Download the merged workbook: the "Changes" sheet links to every modified cell.
Frequently asked questions
Is it free to compare Excel files?
Yes, you can compare as many files as you need without signing up.
Are my files uploaded to the internet?
No. The comparison runs in your browser; the files are never sent to the server.
Which formats can I compare?
.xlsx, .xls, .xlsm and .csv files. You can even compare an .xls with an .xlsx.
Does it detect inserted or deleted rows?
Yes. It recognizes inserted or deleted rows and columns, so it does not mark everything after them as changed.
Does it work with password-protected files?
No. Remove the password in Excel before comparing them.