Guide

How to compare two Excel files

Compare complete workbooks, not just one copied range, and review formulas, formatting, and structure locally.

In short: Compare complete workbooks, not just one copied range, and review formulas, formatting, and structure locally.

ValuesCalculatedFormulasStructureNamesCommentsVBAConnectionsFormattingProtection
xlLens
Search changesDifferences 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 changesDifferences 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 changesDifferences 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.

1. Choose the comparison that matches the change

Select the previous and current workbook directly. Use Basic when cell addresses must match exactly, Smart when rows or columns may have been inserted or deleted, and Table when business records should match by keys such as SKU or customer ID.

  • Basic: strict A1-to-A1 comparison
  • Smart: realign inserted or deleted rows and columns
  • Table: match reordered records by one or more key columns

2. Compare the complete workbook

A copied range can miss hidden sheets, formulas, formatting, names, comments, protection, VBA, and external connections. xlLens reads the workbook package locally and classifies those changes separately so a reviewer can see what changed and why.

3. Review only relevant differences

The result starts with changed source rows while preserving both original addresses. Filter by value, formula, formatting, or structure, then open unchanged context only where it helps explain a change.

4. Keep evidence of the review

Export an XLSX or CSV audit report containing source hashes, product version, comparison rules, alignment evidence, original addresses, and previous/current representations. This makes the comparison repeatable instead of leaving only screenshots.

Next step

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