Alternatives to the Ablebits Merge Tables Wizard
By the Analistable team · Updated · 2 min read
Ablebits' Merge Tables Wizard (part of its Ultimate Suite, with a separate add-in for Excel 365) updates a main table with matching data from a lookup table through a step-by-step wizard. If you'd rather not install an add-in, XLOOKUP covers simple one-column matches, Power Query Merge Queries gives a repeatable join with any join type, and Analistable joins sheets from Excel and Google Sheets in the browser without installing anything.
Part of our guide: How to merge Excel files: every method compared
What the Merge Tables Wizard does
According to Ablebits' documentation, the wizard matches rows between a main table and a lookup table on one or more key columns, then updates existing columns or adds new ones in the main table, with options to highlight the changed rows. Tables can be in the same or different workbooks. It's sold as part of a paid suite with a free trial.
The alternatives compared
| Ablebits wizard | XLOOKUP | Power Query Merge | Analistable | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Install required | Add-in | No | No (built in) | No (browser) |
| Match on several columns | Yes | Yes (with & or arrays) | Yes | Yes |
| Returns every match | Options | First match only | Yes | Yes |
| Repeatable | Saved scenarios | Live formulas | Refresh | Re-run the question |
| Joins Excel with Google Sheets | No | Via export | Via export | Yes |
| Data leaves your computer | No | No | No | No |
| Cost | Paid | Included | Included | Free tools; account needed for AI questions |
Ablebits' feature set changes over time; check their current documentation before deciding.
When each makes sense
- Stay with an add-in if you merge tables daily on Windows and prefer a guided dialog with highlighting.
- XLOOKUP for one or two columns where each key has one match:
=XLOOKUP(A2, Lookup[ID], Lookup[Price], ""). See VLOOKUP vs XLOOKUP vs INDEX MATCH. - Power Query Merge for a repeatable join you refresh each month, including anti joins to find unmatched rows. See joining two tables in Excel.
- Analistable when the tables are spread across Excel files and Google Sheets, or when you want to ask a question of the joined data (“which customers bought less this quarter?”) rather than build the merge yourself.
Comparing the related Ablebits tools for combining sheets? See the best tools to merge Excel files.
Example: updating prices from a supplier list
| SKU | Product | Old price | Supplier price | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AB-100 | Desk | 120 | 125 | Price updated |
| AB-101 | Chair | 45 | 45 | Unchanged |
| AB-102 | Lamp | 18 | Not in supplier list |
Any of the methods above produces this. In Excel, =XLOOKUP(A2, Supplier[SKU], Supplier[Price], "") fills the Supplier price column, and a second column flags the difference with =IF(D2="", "Not in supplier list", IF(D2<>C2, "Price updated", "Unchanged")).
Frequently asked questions
- Is there a free alternative to Ablebits Merge Tables Wizard?
- Yes. Excel's Power Query Merge Queries and XLOOKUP are built in, and browser tools can join tables without installing anything.
- Does Power Query do the same as the Merge Tables Wizard?
- It joins tables on key columns with a choice of join type and refreshes the result. It doesn't highlight updated cells in the original table.
- Can I merge tables from Excel and Google Sheets together?
- Yes, by exporting the Google Sheet first, or by connecting both in Analistable.