How to Compare Two Excel Files: 5 Easy Methods

Comparing two Excel files is a common task for accountants, analysts, and anyone working with spreadsheets. Whether you're tracking budget changes, auditing financial reports, or verifying data migrations, finding the differences between two Excel files quickly and accurately is essential.

In this guide, we'll explore 5 different methods to compare Excel files, from built-in Excel features to dedicated tools like DiffSheets.

The simplest method is opening both files and comparing them visually. While this works for small spreadsheets, it's error-prone and time-consuming for larger files.

Pros:

• No additional tools needed
• Works with any Excel version

Cons:

• Extremely slow for large files
• Easy to miss differences
• No way to track changes systematically

If you have Microsoft 365 or Excel 2013+, you can use the Inquire add-in to compare workbooks.

1. Go to File > Options > Add-Ins
2. Enable the Inquire add-in
3. Go to Inquire > Compare Files
4. Select your two workbooks

Pros:

• Built into Excel
• Comprehensive comparison

Cons:

• Only available in certain Excel versions
• Can be slow with large files
• Requires Excel installation

You can use Excel formulas to find differences between two sheets:

=IF(VLOOKUP(A2,Sheet2!A:B,2,FALSE)=B2,"Match","Different")

This approach lets you identify rows that exist in one sheet but not the other, or where values differ.

Pros:

• No additional tools needed
• Flexible and customizable

Cons:

• Requires Excel knowledge
• Complex setup for multiple columns
• Doesn't highlight individual cell changes

DiffSheets is a free online tool specifically designed for comparing spreadsheets. Simply drag and drop your two Excel files, and instantly see all differences highlighted.

How to use DiffSheets:

1. Go to diffsheets.com
2. Upload your original file on the left
3. Upload your modified file on the right
4. Click "Find Difference"

Pros:

• Visual side-by-side comparison
• Works with XLSX, XLS, CSV, and ODS
• 100% private - files never leave your browser
• Handles large files efficiently
• Free and no registration required

Cons:

• Requires internet access (but no data is uploaded)

Developers might prefer command-line tools like csvdiff or writing custom Python scripts using pandas:

import pandas as pd

df1 = pd.read_excel('file1.xlsx')
df2 = pd.read_excel('file2.xlsx')
diff = df1.compare(df2)

Pros:

• Automatable
• Can be integrated into CI/CD pipelines

Cons:

• Requires programming knowledge
• Setup overhead

For most users, DiffSheets offers the best balance of simplicity, features, and privacy. It's free, requires no installation, and keeps your data completely private.

Try DiffSheets now and compare your Excel files in seconds.