1. The two files
XLSX, XLS or CSV (any separator, any encoding). A = the old version or the reference, B = the new version or the file to check.
A · old version
B · new version
2. Key column and compared columns
The key identifies a row in both files (reference, SKU, item code, email, invoice number). Tick several columns for a composite key (e.g. product + size + warehouse).
Column matching
Matched by name, ignoring case, accents and spaces. Change a match with the dropdown, untick a column to ignore it.
| Column in A | Column in B | Compare | Example (first row) |
|---|
Options
3. Differences
Changes per column
The Excel report has a Summary sheet, one sheet per status (changed, added, removed, unchanged) with a readable Changes column, and a Changed cells sheet: one line per cell with key, column, before, after and difference.
Frequently asked questions
Why a key column instead of comparing cell by cell?
As soon as a row is inserted, deleted or the file is sorted differently, a position-based comparison shifts everything and reports hundreds of false differences. With a key (ID, SKU, email), each row of file A is matched with the same row in file B, wherever it is.
Is there a Spreadsheet Compare for Mac?
Microsoft's Spreadsheet Compare only exists in Excel for Windows, in some enterprise editions. This tool runs in Safari, Chrome, Firefox or Edge on Mac, Windows or Linux, with no install and no macro.
What if my key has duplicates?
Duplicates are listed with their row numbers and matched in order of appearance. If that is not what you want, tick a second column to make a composite key.
What is in the Excel report?
A summary sheet, one sheet per status (changed, added, removed, unchanged) with a readable Changes column, and a Changed cells sheet with one line per cell: key, column, before, after and difference.
What does it cost?
If each file has 200 rows or fewer, preview and download are free. Above that, the comparison is still shown in full and the report costs $4.99 for 24 hours or