In short: Treat XLSX as a workbook package with semantics instead of flattening it into plain text.
XLSX is more than cell text
An XLSX package contains worksheets, formulas, styles, merged cells, defined names, protection, comments, connections, and relationships. A plain-text diff can expose XML noise while hiding the business meaning of a change.
Classify workbook changes
xlLens groups value, formula, formatting, structure, VBA, name, comment, protection, and connection differences. Previous and current addresses remain available for investigation.
Align structural edits
Use Smart mode to realign inserted or deleted rows and columns, or Basic mode for a strict same-address diff. Table mode is intended for record-shaped data with stable keys.
Export a reviewable result
A bounded result view keeps large comparisons responsive, and XLSX or CSV reports record the source hashes, rules, alignment evidence, and detailed changes.