The best tools to merge Excel files, compared
By the Analistable team · Updated · 2 min read
For most people the best tool is already installed: Power Query in Excel merges a folder of files and refreshes in one click. Add-ins such as Ablebits and Kutools add point-and-click wizards on Windows. Python suits very large or scheduled jobs. A browser tool is quickest for a one-off merge — choose one that processes files locally.
Part of our guide: How to merge Excel files: every method compared
How we compared them
We compared each option on the features that decide the choice: whether it stacks and joins, whether it repeats without redoing the work, which platforms it runs on, and where your data goes. Details come from each product's documentation; check current pricing and licences on the vendor's site.
Comparison
| Tool | Stack files | Join on a key | Repeatable | Platforms | Data stays local |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Excel Power Query | Yes | Yes (Merge Queries) | Yes | Windows, Mac (Microsoft 365) | Yes |
| VBA macro | Yes | With code | Yes | Windows (Mac partly) | Yes |
| Power Automate | Yes | With effort | Scheduled | Cloud (Microsoft 365) | Within your tenant |
| Ablebits add-in | Yes | Yes (Merge Two Tables) | Saved scenarios | Windows; some tools for Mac/web | Yes |
| Kutools for Excel | Yes (Combine) | Yes | Partly | Windows | Yes |
| Python (pandas) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Any | Yes |
| Typical online merger | Yes | Rarely | No | Browser | Usually uploaded |
| Analistable | Yes | Yes (ask in plain language) | Re-drop or reconnect | Browser | Yes |
Power Query: the default choice
Built into Excel 2016 and later. From Folder stacks every file in a folder, Merge Queries joins tables, and Refresh repeats everything. The learning curve is a few minutes for simple merges. See combining files from a folder.
Add-ins: Ablebits and Kutools
Paid Excel add-ins that wrap common tasks in wizards — combining sheets, merging tables by key, removing duplicates. Useful if you do these tasks daily on Windows and prefer dialogs to queries. Both are installed on each computer, so check with IT first. Our Ablebits alternative page covers when a browser tool is enough.
Code: VBA and Python
VBA runs inside Excel and can do anything Excel can, but macro-enabled files are often blocked by email filters and security policies. Python with pandas handles millions of rows and runs on a schedule, but needs an installation and someone who can maintain the script. See merging DataFrames in pandas.
Online tools
Fast and free, but most upload your files to a server. Check before using one with personal or confidential data — our guide to merging without uploading shows how. Analistable's free combiner processes files in your browser, and the full product lets you ask questions across the combined data.
Recommendation by situation
- Same merge every month → Power Query.
- Daily Excel power user on Windows who wants wizards → an add-in.
- Millions of rows or a scheduled pipeline → Python.
- Quick one-off, sensitive data → a browser-local tool.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the best free way to merge Excel files?
- Power Query, built into Excel 2016 and later, is free and repeatable. For a quick one-off, a browser-local tool needs no setup.
- Do I need an add-in to merge Excel files?
- No. Excel's Power Query covers stacking and joining. Add-ins mainly make these tasks quicker through wizards.
- Which tools can merge Excel files on a Mac?
- Power Query in Microsoft 365 for Mac, Python, and browser tools all work on a Mac.