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Excel workbook comparison, without Excel

Compare two Excel files.Understand every change.

Compare values, formulas, formatting, structure, VBA and connections in one focused desktop workspace.

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Supports Windows and macOS

Workbook comparison
ValuesCalculatedFormulasStructure
xlLens
Search changes✓ Differences onlySave report
BasicSmartTable80 changes
PreviousBudget-2025.xlsx
ABCD
4Revenue475,000,000118.8%OK
5Operating profit118.8%=C5*1.08OK
6New customers531,360,000120.8%OK
7Repeat sales73.8=E7*1.0892.5
CurrentBudget-2026.xlsx
ABCD
4Revenue482,000,000118.8%OK
5Operating profit120.5%=C5*1.10OK
6New customers541,200,000120.8%OK
7Repeat sales73.75=E7*1.1092.50
Sheet 1 19Change detailsVBA 1
RevenueB4475,000,000482,000,000
✓100% local processing
✓No Excel required
✓Windows and macOS
⌁XLSX · XLSM · XLS · XLSB · CSV · TSV

Still comparing workbooks by eye?

Workbook version reviews should not feel this fragile

Files multiply into final, final-v2 and final-revised, but the reason behind each change stays hidden. One missed cell can change a close, forecast, or client report.

Month-end close

The value matches, but the formula changed

A displayed total can look correct until next month. xlLens compares calculated results and formula source independently.

Budget review

One inserted row makes everything look different

Smart realigns inserted or removed rows and columns so you review the real change while keeping original row numbers.

Audit handoff

You need evidence of exactly what changed

Review values, formatting, structure, names, VBA, connections, and protection in one result, then save a report.

Inside xlLens

Make complex workbook changes easy to scan

Values, formulas, formatting, structure, VBA, and connections use distinct colors and dedicated views. See both the changed location and its cause in one workspace.

ValuesCalculatedFormulasStructureNamesCommentsVBAConnectionsFormattingProtection
xlLens
Search changes✓ Differences onlySave report
BasicSmartTable80 changes
PreviousBudget-2025.xlsx
ABCD
4Revenue475,000,000118.8%OK
5Operating profit118.8%=C5*1.08OK
6New customers531,360,000120.8%OK
7Repeat sales73.8=E7*1.0892.5
CurrentBudget-2026.xlsx
ABCD
4Revenue482,000,000118.8%OK
5Operating profit120.5%=C5*1.10OK
6New customers541,200,000120.8%OK
7Repeat sales73.75=E7*1.1092.50
Sheet 1 19Change detailsVBA 1
RevenueB4475,000,000482,000,000

10 change types in one workspace

Review multiple semantic changes side by side while preserving the visual structure of the desktop product.

xlLens
Search changes✓ Differences onlySave report
BasicSmartTable80 changes
✓ Matched by key: 4 + Inserted row: 1
PreviousORD-101#101ORD-102#102ORD-103#103ORD-104#104
CurrentORD-101#101ORD-NEWInserted rowORD-102#102ORD-103#103ORD-104#104

Smart alignment

See inserted and removed rows realigned without a cascade of false changes.

xlLens
Search changes✓ Differences onlySave report
BasicSmartTable80 changes
Key column✓ SKUIDEmail
PreviousA-100Desk$180B-200Chair$80C-300Lamp$45
CurrentC-300Lamp$45B-200Chair$92A-100Desk$180

✓ B-200 · Matched by key · row 2 → 2

Key-based Table mode

Match reordered business records by SKU, ID, email, or another selected key.

Comparison depth

Matching values do not always mean matching workbooks

Hover or focus a card to see how each capability appears in the working app.

01

Values and formulas

Separate input values, calculated values, formulas, array ranges, and data-table formulas.

Hover or focus to preview the comparison
02

Formatting and structure

Inspect number formats, font, fill, borders, alignment, protection, rows, columns, merged cells, and hidden sheets.

Hover or focus to preview the comparison
03

VBA and connections

Review VBA modules, procedures and changed lines alongside external links, connections, and query tables.

Hover or focus to preview the comparison
04

Smart alignment

Realign inserted or removed rows and columns while preserving both original cell addresses.

Hover or focus to preview the comparison
05

Table data mode

Match reordered business records by a selected key such as SKU, ID, or email.

Hover or focus to preview the comparison
06

Reports and automation

Export XLSX or CSV audit reports, use presets, or run deterministic JSON/CSV CLI and folder batches.

Hover or focus to preview the comparison

Workflow

From two files to a defensible report

  1. 1

    Choose two files

    The native file picker grants access only to the workbooks you select.

  2. 2

    Choose the comparison mode

    Use Smart for most workbooks, Basic for strict address matching, or Table for key-based records.

  3. 3

    Inspect only the differences

    Filter by change type, search the worker-backed index, and jump between original rows.

  4. 4

    Export the evidence

    Create an XLSX or CSV report containing audit hashes, alignment evidence, and app version.

Measured performance

The conditions travel with the number

Measured with generated style-heavy XLSX files. Results vary with formulas, formatting and sheet structure; this is not a competitor speed test.

Measured on: MacBook Pro · Apple M1 Max · 32 GB

Read the benchmark method →
Small0.05s
Rows × columns
1,000 × 12
Workbook size
0.07 MB
Memory usage
87 MB
Everyday0.50s
Rows × columns
10,000 × 30
Workbook size
1.71 MB
Memory usage
145 MB
Large4.69s
Rows × columns
100,000 × 30
Workbook size
17.48 MB
Memory usage
437 MB
Extreme22.90s
Rows × columns
500,000 × 30
Workbook size
88.84 MB
Memory usage
1.45 GB

Product comparison

Compare the conditions that matter at work, not price alone

Excel requirements, operating systems, comparison depth and licensing all matter. Prices below were checked on official product pages on July 26, 2026.

xlLensxlLens

$79

License
Perpetual license
Platform
Windows + macOS
Excel required
No
xlCompare

$99.99

License
Perpetual license
Platform
Windows
Excel required
No
DiffEngineX

$85

License
Perpetual license
Platform
Windows
Excel required
Yes
PerfectXL Compare

€69 / month from

License
Subscription
Platform
Windows
Excel required
No

xlLens is a $79 one-time license. Taxes and currency conversion may change the final amount charged.

CapabilityxlLensMicrosoft Spreadsheet ComparexlCompareDiffEngineXBeyond Compare
macOS support✓✕✕✕✓
Works without Excel✓✕✓✕✓
Formula comparison✓✓✓✓△
Formatting comparison✓✓✓✓✕
VBA detail✓✓✓✓✕
Inserted row/column alignment✓✓✓✓△
CLI automation✓✕✓✓✓
3-way compare / merge✕✕✓✕✓

Product names are trademarks of their respective owners. xlLens is not affiliated with or endorsed by the companies listed. Official sources and verification dates are published on each comparison page.

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Simple license

Try the complete product, then buy it once

A 1.x license includes all 1.x updates. A future 2.0 would be an optional paid upgrade; 1.x keeps working on its supported systems.

01

xlLens trial

The same features as the licensed product for a limited evaluation period.

Download the trial →
∞

xlLens

A one-time license for the purchased major release. No subscription and no account required to compare files.

View purchase details

Questions

Before you compare

Does xlLens upload my workbooks?

No. Parsing, comparison, search, paging, and report generation run locally on your computer.

Do I need Microsoft Excel?

No. xlLens reads supported spreadsheet formats directly and does not automate an installed copy of Excel.

What is the difference between the trial and xlLens?

The trial evaluates the same features for a limited period. Purchasing removes the time limit for the licensed major release.

Is the license a subscription?

No. The license does not expire. It covers the purchased major release and its minor updates; future major upgrades are optional.

FAQ →