Works in your browser
Use WorkbookDiff from a modern browser on Mac, Windows, or Linux. There is no COM add-in or desktop comparison program to enable.
No Inquire add-in required
Compare two Excel files for differences
Compare two Excel files for differences without uploading workbook content. This guide shows how to compare two Excel files, review changed cells across matching worksheet names, and export a free CSV. Use two aligned XLSX workbooks, not just two tabs.
How to compare two Excel files for differences
- Save two versions. Keep original and revised workbooks as unencrypted .xlsx files, each 20 MB or smaller. Work on copies.
- Check alignment. Worksheet names and row and column positions must match. A renamed sheet is treated as a removed sheet plus an added sheet.
- Choose the files. Open WorkbookDiff, select original and revised files, and run Compare workbooks. Workbook bytes are processed locally in your browser.
- Inspect differences. Use worksheet, change-type and text filters to review cell addresses, before/after values, formula changes and hidden-content signals.
- Export findings. Download the free CSV of all supported changes; display filters do not narrow the CSV. The optional $19 one-time audit handoff report adds review notes and HTML / print export, not an independent audit.
Only comparing tabs? Use the compare two Excel sheets guide. For a desktop-suite decision, see our Spreadsheet Compare alternative or Beyond Compare alternative.
A focused Spreadsheet Compare alternative
Cover the version-checking task without claiming full Inquire parity
Stored formulas and values
See when the stored formula expression at a cell changed separately from an ordinary value edit. WorkbookDiff does not recalculate either workbook.
Hidden structure changes
Review supported worksheet and visibility changes, including hidden rows and columns, alongside used-range differences.
CSV difference report
Filter the supported findings and export a CSV list for a manual review or handoff.
This is not a feature-for-feature replacement for Microsoft Spreadsheet Compare. It does not compare formatting, charts, pivots, macros, or VBA; it does not build relationship diagrams or realign reordered rows. It accepts two `.xlsx` files up to 20 MiB each and compares by worksheet and cell coordinate.
Why WorkbookDiff
Review two aligned XLSX versions locally, separate stored formula edits from value changes, and export a free CSV. For reordered records, use the separate reconcile-by-ID beta; version comparison does not align rows.
Optional private audit handoff reports add your review notes and a paid HTML / print export, not an independent audit. See the one-time report option.
| Feature | WorkbookDiff | Typical free online diff | Microsoft Spreadsheet Compare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Two aligned XLSX versions for audit review | Yes; compares the same cell addresses | Varies | Varies by workflow |
| Stored formula changes separated from value changes | Yes; stored expressions, not recalculation | Varies | Varies by workflow |
| Hidden rows/columns, sheet visibility and used-range structural signals | Yes; structural signals, not row alignment | Varies | Varies by workflow |
| Filterable change list and free CSV export | Yes; CSV includes all supported changes | Varies | Varies |
| Local reconcile-by-ID beta for reordered rows | Separate beta; matches records by chosen ID/key | Varies | Varies |
| Files stay in the browser | Yes; workbook content is processed locally | Varies | Desktop application; not browser-based |
| Works on Mac / without Inquire | Yes; modern browser, no Inquire required | Varies | Windows only; requires an eligible Office Professional Plus or Microsoft 365 enterprise edition |
| Optional paid private audit handoff report | One-time HTML / print export with your review notes | Varies | Varies |
Version comparison requires aligned layouts. It does not compare formatting or VBA.
Choose by job, not by product name
When WorkbookDiff fits—and when it does not
Mac or no Inquire tab
Use the browser workflow when the Microsoft desktop comparison tools are unavailable and you still need to inspect two aligned XLSX versions.
Formula and value review
Use the Excel formula diff workflow when stored expressions or formula-to-value changes are the main risk.
Rows were reordered
WorkbookDiff is not the right tool yet. A key-based workflow must match invoice numbers, order IDs, SKUs, or another stable identifier before comparing values.
Formatting or VBA review
Use Microsoft or another specialist desktop tool when formatting, charts, pivots, macros, VBA, or relationship diagrams are required.
Frequently asked questions
How do I compare two Excel files online?
Select an original and revised XLSX workbook in WorkbookDiff, run the local comparison, and export the supported changes as a free CSV. Keep worksheet names and row and column positions aligned.
Can I use Spreadsheet Compare on a Mac?
WorkbookDiff provides a narrower browser-based comparison for two coordinate-aligned XLSX versions on Mac. It does not claim feature parity with Microsoft Spreadsheet Compare or Excel Inquire.
What does WorkbookDiff compare?
WorkbookDiff compares supported cell values, stored formula expressions, worksheets and visibility, hidden rows and columns, and used-range changes by worksheet and cell coordinate.
Are the XLSX files uploaded?
No. The selected workbook bytes are read and compared in browser memory during the comparison workflow.
Does WorkbookDiff compare reordered rows or formatting?
No. It does not realign reordered rows or compare formatting, charts, pivot tables, macros, or VBA. It is designed for two XLSX versions whose row and column positions stayed aligned.
Is comparison free, and do I need an account?
Comparing two supported XLSX files and exporting the CSV difference report are free, with no signup. The optional paid audit handoff report is a separate product.
How do I compare two Excel files for differences step by step?
Save an original and revised XLSX workbook, check that worksheet names and coordinates match, open the main tool, choose both files, and run Compare workbooks. Review the change list and export the complete free CSV.
Why do I see many differences after inserting a row?
The version diff compares cell addresses, not record identities. An inserted row shifts later cells and can produce many differences. Align working copies first or use the separate value-only reconcile-by-ID beta for reordered records.
Does a different date or number format count as a difference?
WorkbookDiff does not compare number-format codes. It compares parsed stored values, with dates normalized to ISO strings. Check underlying values and date interpretation in Excel when a displayed date or rounded number seems misleading.
Convert, merge, or split spreadsheet data
Need to prepare data rather than review version changes? Use these browser-local tools. No workbook upload is required.
Excel to JSON Converter CSV to JSON JSON to Excel Merge Excel Files Online Split Excel File Online
After preparing your files, return to the comparison tool or explore the one-time audit handoff report.
Choose the right review
Focus on Excel formula differences, learn how to compare Excel files without uploading, or use the separate ID-matching beta for reordered records. See what is free and what is proposed.
Related tools
Compare Excel files · CSV to JSON Converter · JSON to Excel Converter · Excel to JSON · Merge Excel Files · Excel Splitter
How to compare two Excel files
- Save the original and revised workbook as unencrypted XLSX files, up to 20 MB each.
- Check that worksheet names and row/column positions stayed aligned, then select both files in the comparison workspace.
- Choose Compare Excel Files to list supported value, formula and structural differences.
- Inspect the results and export a free CSV of all supported changes.
Worked example: before and after changed cells
| Cell | Before | After | Reported change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget!B2 | 100 | 125 | cell-value-changed |
| Budget!C2 | =B2*2; stored result 200 | =B2*3; stored result 375 | cell-formula-changed |
| Budget!D2 | =SUM(B2:C2); stored result 300 | 300 (constant) | cell-formula-replaced-by-value |
Each row is at the same address in both files. A formula replacement is reported even when the stored result stays 300. These are illustrative inputs, not customer results.
Microsoft Spreadsheet Compare / Inquire vs WorkbookDiff
| Workflow | Microsoft Spreadsheet Compare / Inquire | WorkbookDiff |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | Windows desktop Excel tools; Spreadsheet Compare and Inquire are not available on Mac. | Browser-based local processing, including Safari and Chrome on macOS; no Excel add-in required. |
| Availability | Available with Office Professional Plus or Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise; edition and installation matter. | Free XLSX comparison and CSV export without signup. Optional paid handoff report is separate. |
| Scope | Spreadsheet Compare can compare values, formulas, formatting and VBA; Inquire provides workbook analysis. | Aligned XLSX values, stored formulas, worksheet visibility, hidden rows/columns and used range. No formatting or VBA comparison; no recalculation. |
WorkbookDiff is not a feature-for-feature replacement for the Microsoft desktop tools. Check your workbook layout and required comparison scope before choosing.
Microsoft documents the desktop workflow in Basic tasks in Spreadsheet Compare.
Troubleshooting two-workbook comparisons
Different row order
Sort working copies by the same unique key before comparing, or use the separate value-only reconcile-by-ID beta. The main diff does not match records or realign rows.
Inserted rows or columns
A single insertion shifts subsequent coordinates. Expect noisy cell differences and possibly a used-range change, not a semantic inserted-row explanation. Align copies before a formula-sensitive review.
Hidden sheets, rows and columns
Matching hidden sheets are included. Worksheet visibility and hidden row/column changes are reported separately. A sheet rename appears as sheet removal/addition; it is not detected as a rename.
Dates and number formats
WorkbookDiff compares parsed stored values, not the visible formatting. Dates normalize to ISO strings; format-only currency, decimal and color changes are outside scope. Inspect the underlying value and date interpretation in Excel if the display differs.
Compare guides
Choose the guide for your comparison task: Compare Excel files without uploading · Compare Excel formulas and detect formula replaced by value changes · Export an Excel difference report CSV · Compare two Excel files · Excel diff for XLSX workbooks · Compare Excel files on Mac. · Compare two Excel sheets · Beyond Compare alternative for Excel · Microsoft Spreadsheet Compare alternative
Alternatives compared
Choose by workflow, supported inputs, exports and licensing.
Compare two Excel files or two sheets?
Use this file-level workflow for two saved workbook versions with matching worksheet names and aligned cell addresses. The comparison covers all supported worksheets, not just a selected tab pair. For a tab-level task within one workbook or between workbooks, follow Compare Two Excel Sheets for Differences; it explains native methods and how to prepare matching-sheet XLSX copies without implying an arbitrary tab selector.
If records have moved, use key-column reconciliation instead of interpreting shifted cell positions as matched records. For interpreting change categories, see Excel diff.