Whether you want to review changes or consolidate data, there are several methods to compare multiple Excel files including:
We provide step-by-step guides for each method, so you can choose the most effective option next time you need to compare multiple Excel files.
If you need to compare three or more Excel files, you can use a combination of VLOOKUP or INDEX-MATCH functions to cross-reference data from multiple sources.
Note: While this process may be sufficient for small datasets, it’s not ideal for large files as it’s time-consuming and prone to human error.
1. Open all the Excel workbooks you need to compare.
2. In a new workbook or one of the existing ones, create a summary sheet where you will perform the comparisons.
3. Write VLOOKUP or INDEX and MATCH functions to pull data from each workbook. For example:
These formulas will look up the value in A2 in Workbook2.xlsx and return the corresponding value or "Not Found" if it doesn't exist. You can repeat for additional workbooks.
4. You can combine the results from multiple VLOOKUPs or INDEX and MATCH functions into a comprehensive comparison. Place the results from each function in adjacent columns to see the differences side by side.
5. To create a final comparison, you can use conditional formatting to highlight differences between the columns in your summary sheet. For example, you can use rules to highlight cells in one colour if they differ from the corresponding cell in another column, making it easier to find the differences.
Draftable’s Bulk Compare feature allows users to easily compare a single Excel file with multiple other Excel files, at the same time. It’s ideal when you’ve got multiple versions of an Excel spreadsheet and need to compare each of these versions against a single base document and find the differences fast.
If you need to see differences in text, values, or formatting, you can view the output as a side-by-side comparison or as Tracked Changes with Excel’s native Spreadsheet Compare function. You can also see changes to formulas with the Tracked Changes output. Redline output for Excel comparisons is currently in development and will be available in 2025.
You can access the feature in Draftable Legal, the document comparison software built for lawyers, legal teams, and large organisations.
1. Load multiple Excel files
2. Review your comparisons
A pop-up screen will open showing the progress of each file comparison. You can open, review and export each comparison independently or save all outputs in bulk with one action.
Side-by-side comparison type
Side-by-side comparisons will show changes using highlights instead of redline markup.
Tracked Changes comparison type
Tracked Changes comparisons will open directly to Spreadsheet Compare.
Read more about how to use Bulk Compare in this detailed Knowledge Base article.
Read more: The efficient way to compare multiple documents at once
Comparing multiple Excel files can range from manual checks to advanced automated solutions. The method you choose depends on your specific needs, dataset size, and available tools. For quick and small-scale comparisons, built-in Excel tools might suffice. For more complex or ongoing tasks, specialist tools like Draftable Legal offer a reliable solution to ensure data accuracy and efficiency in your workflows.
You can test Draftable Legal’s Bulk Compare feature with a free five-day trial.