What does this Excel diff compare?
WorkbookDiff compares aligned XLSX versions for cell values, stored formula expressions, worksheet additions/removals and visibility, hidden rows/columns and used-range changes. It does not recalculate formulas.
Free local XLSX diff
Excel diff: compare XLSX workbook versions locally
Use this free Excel diff to diff Excel files in XLSX format: compare two aligned versions by worksheet and cell address, review changed values and stored formulas, and export a CSV. This is an XLSX diff, not an XLS diff: legacy .xls files and CSV inputs are not supported.
How to diff Excel files
- Prepare two aligned, unencrypted .xlsx versions, up to 20 MB per file. Save legacy XLS as XLSX in a spreadsheet application first.
- Open the comparison workspace and choose the original file followed by the revised file.
- Choose Compare Excel Files, then inspect cell values, stored formulas and supported structural changes.
- Filter the displayed results for review, or export the complete difference list as CSV.
Worked example: one changed budget cell
| Cell | Before | After |
|---|---|---|
| Budget!A1 | Item | Item |
| Budget!A2 | Travel | Travel |
| Budget!B2 | 100 | 125 |
Create budget-before.xlsx and budget-after.xlsx with these same cell positions and no other changes. The result is one cell-value-changed entry at Budget!B2, from 100 to 125. The originals are not modified.
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.
Frequently asked questions
How do I diff Excel files in XLS format?
This tool cannot read legacy .xls files. Save each workbook as .xlsx in Excel or another spreadsheet application first, check the converted content, then compare the XLSX copies. CSV inputs are not supported either.
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.
Are my workbook files uploaded?
No. The comparison workflow reads and compares workbook bytes locally in your browser. This is not a promise of zero network traffic: the site can load assets and send limited analytics.
Can I compare XLS or CSV files?
No. The comparison tool accepts only unencrypted .xlsx workbooks, up to 20 MB per file. It does not accept .xls, .xlsm, .xlsb, CSV or ODS. CSV is an export format, not a comparison input.
Will it match moved rows or compare formatting?
No. Version comparison uses worksheet names and cell coordinates, so keep rows and columns aligned. It does not compare formatting, charts, pivot tables or VBA. Use the separate reconciliation-by-ID beta for key-based matching.
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.