Show
One of the most common scenarios when working with Excel spreadsheets is having files with similar or duplicate data. The reasons for this could be many, but it usually involves spending a considerable amount of time checking complete files or separate worksheets manually. This article will explain how to compare two or multiple Excel files, as well as two Excel sheets, for differences. To achieve this, we will describe how to use three useful methods to spot differences in a quick and easy way; these include side-by-side viewing, conditional formatting rules, and the =IF formula. We will start by illustrating how to compare two Excel workbooks using the side-by-side view. However, we recommend using this method in case your dataset is not too large; if not, we recommend using one of the two methods outlined further on in this article. This is how you can compare two Excel files using the side-by-side viewing feature.
Now that we know how easy it is to compare two Excel files, let’s see how we can apply this viewing method to Excel sheets.
Discover the most popular methods used to manually or automatically combine multiple Excel spreadsheets and data inputs into one master file READ MORE
Sometimes, similar or duplicate data may appear within the same spreadsheet. IF you want to avoid having to switch from one sheet to another to compare the data, this is how you can quickly compare two Excel sheets side by side.
So far, you have seen how easy it is to compare two files and sheets on Excel. However, what if you would like to compare more than two files at the same time? This is how you can compare multiple Excel files using the side-by-side view. Comparing multiple files for differences follows a similar process and will only take you a few simple steps.
So far, these methods are useful in case your datasets are not too large and easily manageable. If you want to compare larger datasets for differences in values, the best way is to use the =IF formula or a conditional formatting rule. Let’s explore the =IF formula first. How to compare two Excel sheets using a formula?This is the most straightforward way to compare data between two Excel sheets. This formula will allow you to identify cells containing different values, and a comparative report will be generated in a new worksheet.
The formula will adapt to the column and row position it fills. This way, the formula in cell A1 compares to cell A1 in “Sheet1” and “Sheet2”; the formula in cell B1 will compare cell B1 in both sheets as well. We will now turn to how to compare two Excel sheets by highlighting the differences. The best way to do so is using Excel conditional formatting feature.
When comparing two very similar and large datasets, the best and quickest way to spot differences in values is to highlight them using the conditional formatting feature.
Now you know how to compare two or multiple Excel files and two sheets on your desktop. What if you want to compare and highlight differences in your Excel sheets online? How to compare two Excel sheets and highlight differences online?In case you don’t have Excel installed on your desktop or simply prefer to work online altogether, there are online tools that allow you to compare Excel files and sheets for differences. Below, we provide a list of third-party tools that will allow you to compare Excel files and sheets online:
How to track spreadsheet changes with Layer?
Layer adds productivity features to your Google Sheets. Share parts of your spreadsheet, request input, and accept or reject changes to make collaboration seamless and more efficient while keeping full control over your data. Using Layer, you can:
Sign up for early access and start automating your Google Sheets workflows with Layer!
This article has shown you how to compare the data in two Excel files for differences. You can compare data between two files, two sheets, or multiple files using the side-by-side view for a quick and easy comparison. If your dataset is larger, you can apply the IF formula to compare two Excel sheets or use conditional formatting rules to highlight the differences. Alternatively, for users that prefer to work online, there are platforms that can help you achieve this level of comparison in an online setting, for example, Layer. We also recommend reading our blog article on How To Combine Multiple Files into One as a great way to complete this data comparison process.
Share parts of your spreadsheet and make your data collection 10X better with the new Layer add-on!
|