How to combine Excel files on a Mac
By the Analistable team · Updated · 2 min read
In Microsoft 365 for Mac, use Data → Get Data (Power Query) → From Folder, choose the folder and combine the files, just as on Windows. If your version doesn't show From Folder, update Excel, or copy sheets into one workbook with Move or Copy. To skip Excel entirely, drop the files into a browser combiner — it works the same on a Mac.
Part of our guide: How to merge Excel files: every method compared
What Excel for Mac supports
| Feature | Mac (Microsoft 365) | Windows |
|---|---|---|
| Power Query: From Folder | Yes, in current versions | Yes |
| Power Query: Append and Merge Queries | Yes | Yes |
| Data Model / Power Pivot | No | Yes |
| VSTACK and dynamic arrays | Yes | Yes |
| Move or Copy sheet | Yes | Yes |
| VBA folder loops | Yes, with Mac-specific file paths and permissions | Yes |
Microsoft added the From Folder connector to Excel for Mac in 2024. If you don't see it, check for updates in Help → Check for Updates.
Method 1: Power Query From Folder
- Put the files in one folder in Finder.
- In a new workbook, choose Data → Get Data (Power Query).
- Choose From Folder, select the folder, and grant Excel access if macOS asks.
- Click Combine & Transform (or Combine), pick the sheet to use, and confirm.
- Click Close & Load. To update later, add files to the folder and choose Data → Refresh All.
The details match Windows. See combining Excel files into one spreadsheet for handling different sheet names.
Method 2: Move or Copy into one workbook
Open all the workbooks. Control-click a sheet tab, choose Move or Copy, pick the destination workbook under To book, tick Create a copy and click OK. You get one workbook with many tabs; stack them into one sheet with =VSTACK(Sheet1:Sheet4!A2:F500).
Method 3: Terminal, for CSV files
If the files are CSVs, one Terminal command merges them while keeping only the first header. See combining CSV files on a Mac.
Method 4: in the browser
The Analistable Excel combiner runs in Safari or Chrome on a Mac. Drop .xlsx, .xls or .csv files, and it stacks every sheet, matches columns by header and lets you download the result. The files aren't uploaded.
What about Apple Numbers?
Numbers can open Excel files, but has no feature for merging several files into one table. You can copy tables between documents by hand, or export to CSV and use one of the methods above.
Frequently asked questions
- Does Excel for Mac have Power Query?
- Yes. Microsoft 365 for Mac includes Power Query with connectors for local files, including From Folder in current versions.
- Can I use VBA to merge files on a Mac?
- Yes, but file paths use the macOS format and sandbox permissions may prompt for folder access. Power Query is usually simpler.
- Can Numbers combine multiple spreadsheets?
- Not automatically. Copy tables by hand or use Excel or a browser tool.