The best tools to compare two spreadsheets
By the Analistable team · Updated · 2 min read
For a quick check, formulas and conditional formatting inside Excel are enough. For a full report including formulas and formatting, Spreadsheet Compare (Windows, enterprise editions) is the most complete built-in option. For lists whose rows move around, compare by key with Power Query or a tool that matches rows — such as our free browser-based compare tool.
Part of our guide: How to compare two spreadsheets for differences and matches
What do you need to find?
- Changed cells in two versions of the same layout → a cell-by-cell tool.
- Added and removed rows in two exports of a list → a key-based tool.
- Changed formulas or formatting in a model → a workbook comparison tool such as Spreadsheet Compare.
Comparison
| Tool | Cell by cell | By key / row match | Formulas & formatting | Platforms | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Formulas + conditional formatting | Yes | Yes (COUNTIF, XMATCH) | No | Any Excel, Google Sheets | Included |
| View Side by Side | Visual only | No | Visual only | Excel | Included |
| Spreadsheet Compare (Inquire) | Yes | Partly | Yes | Windows, enterprise editions | Included in those editions |
| Power Query anti/inner joins | Via joins | Yes | No | Excel 2016+, Microsoft 365 | Included |
| Ablebits Compare Sheets | Yes | Yes | No | Windows add-in | Paid |
| General diff tools (e.g. Beyond Compare) | Yes | Partly | Values | Desktop | Paid |
| Analistable compare tool | No | Yes (rows only in one file) | No | Browser, no upload | Free |
Features summarised from each vendor's documentation; check current editions and prices with the vendor.
Built into Excel
Formulas cover most needs: see comparing two Excel sheets for differences and comparing columns. Spreadsheet Compare is worth knowing if you have it: open it from the Windows Start menu (search “Spreadsheet Compare”) or enable the Inquire add-in under File → Options → Add-ins → COM Add-ins.
Power Query for repeatable reconciliations
If you compare the same two exports every week, Power Query's left and right anti joins give you removed and added rows, and an inner join plus a comparison column gives changed values. Build it once and refresh. See Power Query's join kinds.
Online and browser tools
Many online diff tools upload both files. For confidential data, use one that runs locally — our guide to merging without uploading shows how to check. The Analistable compare tool lists rows that appear in only one of two files, in your browser.
Recommendation
- One-off check of two versions → formulas or conditional formatting.
- Auditing a financial model → Spreadsheet Compare, if your edition has it.
- Weekly reconciliation of two exports → Power Query.
- Sensitive lists, no setup → a browser-local tool.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the best free way to compare two Excel files?
- Formulas and conditional formatting in Excel, or Spreadsheet Compare if your edition includes it. For row-level differences between two exports, a browser-local compare tool is quickest.
- Can Google Sheets compare two sheets?
- Not with a built-in feature, but the same formulas work: =A1<>Sheet2!A1, COUNTIF and conditional formatting.
- Which tool compares formulas, not just values?
- Spreadsheet Compare reports changed formulas, values and formatting. Formula-based methods only compare the displayed values.