Compare two CSV files and get the difference online

xlCompare.com is the best performing CSV diff tool to compare CSV files online. xlCompare application is an ultimate desktop CSV diff tool to compare and merge CSV, XLSX and XML files for users who need a professional solution. xlCompare is a git diff and merge tool for Excel and CSV files.
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MAXIMIZE
FILE 1
Paste From ClipboardPaste
Remove Duplicate RowsDedup
Remove Empty CellsDel Empty
Sort CellsSort
Trim CellsTrim
Copy CellsCopy
KEY
A
KEY
B
KEY
C
KEY
D
KEY
E
HDR
1
HDR
2
HDR
3
HDR
4
HDR
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
FILE 2
Paste From ClipboardPaste
Remove Duplicate RowsDedup
Remove Empty CellsDel Empty
Sort CellsSort
Trim CellsTrim
Copy CellsCopy
KEY
A
KEY
B
KEY
C
KEY
D
KEY
E
HDR
1
HDR
2
HDR
3
HDR
4
HDR
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
Compare TablesCompare Tables
Compare Columns (VLOOKUP)VLOOKUP
Merge TablesMerge Tables
Common RowsCommon Rows
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Step-by-step instruction how to compare two CSV files online

xlCompare.com is online application that allows you to open and compare two CSV files, highlight the differences, export duplicate, similar(matching) and mismatching(unique) rows into third file. If you need to quickly check two CSV files for differences online without installing applications - you are in the right place. xlCompare will do this job for you!

1. Open your CSV file or paste your table from clipboard

To start using the tool you need to open your spreadsheets on this webpage.
Open Excel or CSV fileOpen ..
Open CSV file on your computer.
This button allows you to select a file on your computer and open it on this web page.
Paste From ClipboardPaste
Paste your table from clipboard into xlCompare online tool.
If you've copied your data from the webpage or you need to compare a portion of the CSV file - use this Paste command.
Data is divided into cells and inserted into the worksheet. Just in one click you have it ready for the comparison.
IMPORTANT: This operation (open or paste) is performed in your browser. Files are NOT transmitted to the Internet.
Imagine, you have these two tables:
FILE 1
KEY
A
KEY
B
KEY
C
KEY
D
HDR
1
ID NAME EMAIL HOURLY RATE
HDR
2
10 George Cowans GeorgeWCowans@dayrep.com 120
HDR
3
15 Laurice Depalma LauriceVDepalma@dayrep.com 95
HDR
4
25 Stephen Malone StephenCMalone@jourrapide.com 112
HDR
5
171 Joseph Keenan JosephCKeenan@armyspy.com 140
6
7
8
FILE 2
KEY
A
KEY
B
KEY
C
KEY
D
HDR
1
ID NAME EMAIL HOURLY RATE
HDR
2
10 George Cowans GeorgeWCowans@dayrep.com 120
HDR
3
15 Laurice Depalma Jr. LauriceVDepalma@dayrep.com 100
HDR
4
35 Jem Lewis JimXLewis@dayrep.com 142
HDR
5
171 Joseph Keenan JosephCKeenan@armyspy.com 140
6
7
8

2. Select Key Columns and Heading Rows

In general this step is optional, but it is required if your worksheet has table (database) structure. If you are working with CSV file or data, that was exported from database - it is required.
Key Columns are used to identify if two rows represent same record in table. xlCompare.com allows to select several key columns at once.
Heading Row usually defines header of the table and contains names of the database table.
In our example, column ID identifies record in this table. So, it should be used as Key Column. EMAIL column can also be used as Key, as it identifies every user. Columns like NAME, EMAIL, ADDRESS, TAX ID, SKU, PART NUMBER and similar - are typical examples of the Key Column.
Click on the
KEY
marker in the column heading to mark column as a key.
First row in this table contains field names - this is very common case. So, our header consists of 1 row only.
Click on the
HDR
marker in the row heading area to mark first row as header row.
Now our spreadsheets have following look:
FILE 1
KEY
A
KEY
B
KEY
C
KEY
D
HDR
1
ID NAME EMAIL HOURLY RATE
HDR
2
10 George Cowans GeorgeWCowans@dayrep.com 120
HDR
3
15 Laurice Depalma LauriceVDepalma@dayrep.com 95
HDR
4
25 Stephen Malone StephenCMalone@jourrapide.com 112
HDR
5
171 Joseph Keenan JosephCKeenan@armyspy.com 140
6
7
8
FILE 2
KEY
A
KEY
B
KEY
C
KEY
D
HDR
1
ID NAME EMAIL HOURLY RATE
HDR
2
10 George Cowans GeorgeWCowans@dayrep.com 120
HDR
3
15 Laurice Depalma Jr LauriceVDepalma@dayrep.com 100
HDR
4
35 Jim Lewis JimXLewis@dayrep.com 142
HDR
5
171 Joseph Keenan JosephCKeenan@armyspy.com 140
6
7
8
Key column and heading row are highlighted with color. Data is ready for comparison.

3. Get the Report with Differences

xlCompare.com is very easy in use. After you've opened or pasted your spreadsheets into this tool, you need to click the Compare Tables button to get the comparison report.
Compare TablesCompare Tables
For the two CSV files above, comparison report is the following:
No Filter6
Added Rows1
Deleted Rows1
Equal Rows3
Edited Rows1
Common Rows4
A
B C D
1 ID NAME EMAIL HOURLY RATE
2 10 George Cowans GeorgeWCowans@dayrep.com 120
3 15 Laurice Depalma
Laurice Depalma Jr
LauriceVDepalma@dayrep.com 95
100
+4 25 Stephen Malone StephenCMalone@jourrapide.com 112
-4 35 Jim Lewis JimXLewis@dayrep.com 142
5 171 Joseph Keenan JosephCKeenan@armyspy.com 140
Added row - row from FILE 1 that is not present in the FILE 2. Highlighted with green background color in the report.
+4 25 Stephen Malone StephenCMalone@jourrapide.com 112
Deleted row - row from FILE 2 that is not present in the FILE 1. Highlighted with red background color in the report.
-4 35 Jim Lewis JimXLewis@dayrep.com 142
Changed cell - every cell that has different values in the corresponding rows and columns in FILE 1 and FILE2 is highlighted with orange color and bold font.
Value from FILE 1 is shown with green text color and value from FILE 2 has red text color.
For the numeric values, triangle icon indicates, that value was increased or decreased. In this example, corresponding value is 100, that is higher that original 95.
95
100
As you see, xlCompare provides you with a detailed and easy to understand comparison report, that shows difference between two CSV files.

4. What you can do with Comparison Results

This topic describes additional benefits of xlCompare, you get with comparison report.

4.1. Filter unique, equal and duplicate rows

xlCompare.com has number of commands to filter the comparison report and get only the portion of rows you need.
Click on the Added Rows item in the Legend.
xlCompare provides you a list of added rows, highlighted with green color.
No Filter6
Added Rows1
Deleted Rows1
Equal Rows3
Edited Rows1
Common Rows4
A
B
C
D
+4 25 Stephen Malone StephenCMalone@jourrapide.com 112
To get the absolutely identical rows between two CSV files - click Equal Rows item in the Legend area.
No Filter6
Added Rows1
Deleted Rows1
Equal Rows3
Edited Rows1
Common Rows4
A
B
C
D
1 ID NAME EMAIL HOURLY RATE
2 10 George Cowans GeorgeWCowans@dayrep.com 120
5 171 Joseph Keenan JosephCKeenan@armyspy.com 140
As you see, xlCompare.com in more than just an CSV file comparison tool.
This is reliable and powerful toolkit that works for you!

4.2. Get all differences as single list

Need to review all the differences as single list?
Or you need to forward this data to colleague by email?
DIFF LIST (4)
MATCHING COLS
DIFF LIST command in the Legend opens list of differences on the left of the Report area.
CELL 1
CELL 2 VALUE 1 VALUE 2
1 B3 B3 Laurice Depalma Laurice Depalma Jr
2 D3 D3 95 100
3 4 +row
4 4 -row
When you select a cell in this table, xlCompare.com select corresponding cell in the comparison report to point you to the difference.
4.2.1. How to copy this list into email?
Click on the any cell in the Difference Report area.
Press Ctrl+A to select the entire report.
Right click on the any cell.
Select Copy element in the context menu.
Cut(Ctrl+X)
Copy(Ctrl+C)
Paste(Ctrl+V)
Sort
Trim
Insert
Delete
Clear Selection
Select All(Ctrl+A)
Now this table is in clipboard and you can paste it into the any application - email, Excel, Word, etc.

4.3. Copy report to save it on your computer

COPY command in the Legend area is a universal method to export the comparison report.
DIFF LIST (4)
MATCHING COLS
It copies Comparison Report with all highlighted cells into the clipboard in HTML format.
You can paste it into Excel worksheet to save the data on hard drive or in the cloud for future processing.

5. Video instruction how to compare two Excel or CSV documents for differences

Compare Excel Files Online - Watch on Youtube

xlCompare.com commands and features in detail

Online Excel file comparison application xlCompare.com has commands to edit and process spreadsheet data, you have opened. This topic describes how to open, paste and edit your spreadsheets. How to select Primary Keys and Heading. How to sort your spreadsheet, get read of empty rows and duplicates. How to merge several worksheets into one by key columns. This is a short guide for our Online service to compare Excel file for differences.

Basic Spreadsheet Operations

xlCompare.com allows you to open Excel (XLSX,XLSM) and CSV files directly on the webpage. You can use one of the following methods to open your files:
  • Drop your file into the worksheet area marked with FILE1 or FILE2 labels
  • Click the Open button and select file on disk.
  • Click the text label near the FILE1 and FILE2 label
  • Right Click on the worksheet area and select the Open file command from the Context Menu
All the methods are identical. You can choose the one that you like.
I want to paste a table into the worksheet, instead of opening the whole Excel file.
Use one of the following methods to paste your data:
  • Use Paste button above the worksheet
  • Select cell on the worksheet and do the right click. In the context menu use Paste command to paste data into the sheet.
  • Select cell on the worksheet and use Ctrl-V hotkey combination, as you do it in Excel or other application.
Any of these methods pastes data into the worksheet and splits it into the cells.
Delimiter for the cell values is TAB symbol.
Paste command us a universal workaround for the the case, when file format you are using is not supported by xlCompare.com at this moment. Or if you need to extract portion of your table and compare or merge.
xlCompare.com allows you can modify cell value direclty on the worksheet.
To start editing do the following:
  • Just start typing in cell
  • Double click on the specific cell to start editing
  • Use F2 hotkey to edit cell contents on the worksheet
On the xlCompare.com you can edit your spreadsheet data in the similar way as you do it in Excel.
xlCompare.com gives you basic spreadsheet editing features. This is not a replacement for Excel, but you can paste or open your data on this website and remove or insert rows and columns on the worksheet.
Both commands are in the right click context menu. Select column or row by clicking on it's heading (exactly like you are doing this in Excel) and do the right click on the heading area.
Context menu you see, contains Delete and Insert commands, that removes selected rows\columns or inserts a new ones.
How to adjust the column width or row height for better visual representation.
Just in the same way as in Excel. Put your mouse over the column heading and resizing cursor will appear. Now you can change column width or row height by pressng and dragging your mouse.
This feature allows you to make columns wider to display all the data you have in one line.
Your Excel file (XLSX or XLSM) contains several worksheets. xlCompare.com displays only one worksheet at a time.
To select another sheet use Sheet drop list located below the worksheet area.
When sheet is selected in the drop list - it's data is loaded into the spreadsheet area.
Online service to compare Excel files supports XLSX, XLSM and CSV file formats. You can open any of these files on this webpage and get the detailed comparison report.
How to compare files in other formats?
You can compare worksheet data in the any format. Just use the step-by-step instruction shown below:
  1. Open your file in its application (Excel, Numbers, etc) and copy contents of the worksheet into clipboard
  2. Paste cells into this webpage using Paste command
  3. Compare pasted data and get the mismatching cells in the report.
  4. Filter cells (duplicates, mismatching, unique) and copy them into clipboard
  5. Paste cells into Excel (Numbers, etc) from this webpage.

Compare and Merge Excel Files

xlCompare is a FREE online tool, that compares and merges Excel files. This service allows you to quickly check your Excel files for differences and get the report with all the differences highlighted with colors. This topic explains, how to start using this tool. As you will see, it is very simple and easy to use.
So, what do you need to do to compare your Excel files on this page:
  1. Open your Excel files in the worksheet areas. Or paste spreadsheet from clipboard. Topics Open File and Paste data from clipboard explains how to do this on xlCompare.com
  2. IMPORTANT: If your data has Key Columns or Heading Rows - you need to select it to get the accurate comparison results.
  3. Press the Compare Files or Compare Columns (VLOOKUP) button to get the results.
This is 3 steps you need to do to compare two Excel files. If your case is more complex and spreadsheet data require additional preprocessing, you can do some operations right on this page:
  • Remove duplicates
  • Remove empty cells
  • Sort rows
  • Trim string values to remove extra spaces
  • Insert or remove columns and rows
  • Edit cell values
What can you do with comparison report?
  • Copy report into Excel
  • Filter unique\equal\identical rows
  • Sort rows
  • Remove columns and rows you don't need
  • Edit cell values
How to select Key Columns on the worksheet?
Primary Keys columns are important part of the spreadsheet comparison.
xlCompare allows you to select any combinations of the Key Columns within first 5 columns
There is a key marker in the heading of the every column on the worksheet:
KEY
A
Click on the Marker to select this column as a Key
xlCompare highlights marker to reflect it's key state:
KEY
A
In addition to marker, xlCompare highlights data cells in the Primary Key column with color.
If you need to select other combination of columns as a primary key - you need to install and use desktop tool.
Desktop xlCompare tool allows to select any combination of the Key Columns.
How to select Header in your table?
xlCompare allows you to select heading row in your table within first 5 rows.
There is a Heading Row Marker in the row heading area, before row number:
HDR
1
Click on the Marker to mark this row as heading.
xlCompare highlights marker to reflect heading state of this row:
HDR
1
In addition to marker xlCompare highlights contents of this row with color and bold font.
This makes visual difference between heading row and other rows in table.
If your Excel table contains wide header that has more than 5 rows - you need to install and use desktop tool.
Desktop xlCompare tool allows to select any combination of the Heading Rows.
Online Excel file compare tool is very easy in use. We've created it to provide quick method to check two Excel files for differences, if you are not ready to use professional tool for this.
To compare two Excel sheets online and get the difference do the following:
  1. Open your XLSX\XLSM\CSV files in the FILE1 and FILE2 panels, or Paste your table right into the worksheet area.
  2. if your files have multiple sheets, Select two Excel sheets you want to compare.
  3. If your table has headings, Select key columns and heading rows
  4. Click the Compare Tables button to get the difference report on this page.
IMPORTANT: Your files are not uploaded into Internet! All operations are executed on your computer in your browser.
We respect your privacy!
Results of the comparison appear in the separate panel below the compared spreadsheets.
Report area contains Legend that shows number of differences by type and allows you to filter rows on the sheet.
What does VLOOKUP button?
VLOOKUP command is used to compare columns in two Excel sheets online.
Look into the topic below to see more information on using the VLOOKUP function.
How to compare columns on the Excel sheet using VLOOKUP command
In short VLOOKUP command on the xlCompare.com checks for the presence of the value from FILE2 in the FILE1.
Use this command when you need to compare only two (or more) columns for matching values, without comparing other cells in the worksheets.
Data you are working with, can be different structure in the FILE1 and FILE2.
  • VLOOKUP command in xlCompare works similar to VLOOKUP worksheet function in Excel. But there is a significant difference, VLOOKUP searches for a single value, while our service can search other worksheet for a combination of values.
  • FILE1 is treated as vocabulary.
  • FILE2 is treated as data file.
  • xlCompare gets values from the selected columns in the FILE2 and searches for these values in the selected columns in FILE1.
  • Rows with values, that are not present in FILE1 are marked with red color in the result panel.
  • Cells in the other columns are not compared.
  • VLOOKUP command compares only cells in the selected columns!
IMPORTANT: to use VLOOKUP command you need to select columns on both worksheets.
Look into next topic to get instructions on how to select columns for the VLOOKUP command.
Example of using VLOOKUP command
You have list of valid SKU#, you are working with, and you need to check if all records in the received Excel table contain valid SKU# values.
VLOOKUP command is an ideal solution for this case.
How to select columns for the VLOOKUP command?
xlCompare uses same procedure for selecting Primary Key columns for the worksheet comparison and columns for the VLOOKUP function.
Use a key marker in the heading of the every column on the worksheet:
KEY
A
Click on the Marker to select this column for the VLOOKUP command
xlCompare highlights marker to reflect it's key state:
KEY
A
In addition to marker, xlCompare highlights data cells in the Primary Key column with color.
How to clear the marker state?
Second click on the marker clears it's state. Marker works like a switch.
Should I use Heading Rows with VLOOKUP command?
This is optional, but better to select heading rows to exclude heading area from the comparison.
This should make comparison results more accurate.
How to merge columns in two Excel sheets?
Merge Files command moves new columns and new rows from the right file into the left one.
It is important to select heading rows (if your table has such) and key columns.
Key columns (you can select several columns as key) are used to find the matching rows in the left and right sheets.
This could be a worksheets within same file. You just need to open same file in the FILE1 and FILE2 areas.
Merged columns and rows are highlighted with red color. So, you will easily identify them among other data on the FILE1 worksheet.
Let's show how this command works on the example:
Table in FILE1
ID NAME EMAIL
10 George Cowans GeorgeWCowans@dayrep.com
15 Laurice Depalma LauriceVDepalma@dayrep.com
25 Stephen Malone StephenCMalone@jourrapide.com
171 Joseph Keenan JosephCKeenan@armyspy.com
215 Melinda Crockett MelindaBCrockett@dayrep.com
Table in FILE2
NAME ORDER COUNT TOTAL AMOUNT
Laurice Depalma 50 2000
Joseph Keenan 48 1750
George Cowans 64 2200
Melinda Crockett 54 1900
Both tables contain different values, linked by NAME column. Rows are in the different order.
Select Key Columns and Heading Rows
In our case we have key columns NAME in the left and right file and 1-st row is heading.
So, we need to click on the HDR marker on the first row and on the KEY marker on the NAME column.
Result produced by Merge command is the following:
ID NAME EMAIL ORDER COUNT TOTAL AMOUNT
10 George Cowans GeorgeWCowans@dayrep.com 64 2200
15 Laurice Depalma LauriceVDepalma@dayrep.com 50 2000
25 Stephen Malone StephenCMalone@jourrapide.com
171 Joseph Keenan JosephCKeenan@armyspy.com 48 1750
215 Melinda Crockett MelindaBCrockett@dayrep.com 54 1900
Columns ORDER COUNT and TOTAL AMOUNT were copied to the left table (FILE1). Every value from the FILE2 copied into the corresponding place into the FILE1.
How to export result of the merge operation into Excel?
Copy button in the FILE1 section copies all table into clipboard. Use this button to copy and paste data into Excel file using the clipboard.
Merge Files command is easy way to avoid learning Power Queries, and other advanced Excel commands to do this relatively simple operation.
Common Rows is a command that quickly finds set of rows, present in the FILE1 and FILE2, that are completely equal, or has some modified cells.
Rows from FILE1 that are not present in FILE2 and rows from FILE2 that are not present in FILE1 are not included into this set.
Purpose of this online service is to give you ability to quickly check two Excel sheets for differences. But this tool performs comparison only of the values. So first and most important limitation - Formulas are not included into comparison!
There are no limits on the count of rows and columns in the processed tables. Amount of the data you can process is limited only by available resources on your computer.

Additional Commands

Imagine situation, when you've got a table that has several identical rows. How to get read of the duplicate values automatically?
Use Remove Duplicates command.
  • Key columns selected. xlCompare.com removes duplicate values in the key columns only. xlCompare doesn't take other cells into account.
  • Column(s) is selected. xlCompare.com removes duplicate values in the selected columns only.
  • In other cases: all cells in a row are used to find duplicates.
How to get read of the rows with empty cells, or rows with empty key values.
  • Key columns selected. xlCompare.com removes rows with empty values in the key columns only.
  • Column(s) is selected. xlCompare.com removes rows with empty values in the selected columns only.
  • In other cases: xlCompare.com removes only completely empty rows.
  • Key columns selected. xlCompare.com sorts rows by values in the key columns only.
  • Column(s) is selected. xlCompare.com sorts rows by values in the selected columns only.
  • In other cases: xlCompare.com uses all cells in a row to sort the table.
After you sort the table, column that is used in the sort operation displays marker symbol (arrow) in its heading. Marker identifies order - ascending or descending.
This command remove spaces on the beginning and on the ending of each string value in selected columns or in the entire table.
Copy command is a universal method to export data from xlCompare.com into your spreadsheet application (Excel, Numbers, etc.) It copies full table into clipboard. Table is copied with highlighted cells, if you have such in table. So you can transfer comparison report with highlighted differences into Excel and save it on your hard drive.

Working with Comparison Report

List of Differences is a separate panel that displays all differences found between two Excel files in a form of list.
After you select a cell in the difference list, xlCompare selects same cell in the FILE1 and FILE2. It points you to the changed cell.
Copy operation works in the difference list in the same way as in the other worksheet. So, you can copy list of the differences into the Excel and save it in the external file.
How to see matching and mismatching data in the comparison report?
Difference report brings you all cells in your Excel tables. How to separate mismatching data to pull it into other file?
Use items in the Legend for this.
Legend includes following items:
  • No filter (default)
  • Added Rows
  • Deleted Rows
  • Equal Rows
  • Changed Rows
  • Common Rows
What is the difference between Equal, Changed and Duplicate rows?
Equal - completely equal rows in two Excel sheets. All cells are equal.
Changed - row contains at least one updated cell, that contains different value in FILE1 and FILE2.
Common - combination of equal and changed rows - this is set of duplicate rows in two Excel sheets.
If you need to clean your comparison report from the unique columns, use MATCHING COLUMNS button.
With this option enabled xlCompare.com displays only columns present in FILE1 and FILE2 spreadsheets. So, you are getting the intersection of your data in the report.
This command is useful to clean the data in report from the comparison noise.
How to export comparison report into XLSX file and save on disk?
Visually see the differences in Excel files is a good option, but how to send highlighted mismatching records to colleague by e-mail?
Use Copy button in the results panel.
Copy button copies highlighted table you have in the results panel into clipboard. After you have this data in your clipboard you can paste it into:
  1. Excel file
  2. Word document
  3. E-mail in the HTML format
  4. Notepad, etc.
Copy to clipboard is a universal method to export your data.
Contact Form is on the bottom of this page. Please, use it to send us your enqueries.
Also, we will be happy to see your feedback in the comments section on this page.

Privacy F.A.Q.

No. You should not worry about it.
We value your privacy.
All operations (comparison, filtering, etc.) are executed in your browser. Spreadsheet Tools doesn't have access to your files. This online xl comparator service is safe and secure.
You can disable network connection and compare your files using this web page.
No. This is not possible.
Online xl comparator service doesn't send your data into the web. All processing is done in your browser on your computer.
Your data is not transmitted from your computer.
Online Excel and CSV file comparison service on the xlCompare.com is free. You should not pay for it.
So, why there is Order page on the website for the free service?
Desktop xlCompare application is not free. It is sold as the permenent license (one time free), pricing and other information are available on the Order page
In this case the only option we can offer you is to install and use desktop Excel file comparison tool Download xlCompare

How to ... F.A.Q.

How to find matching rows in two Excel sheets and pull them into third file.
Please, do the following steps:
  1. Open your Excel files on the xlCompare.com - online Excel file compare service
  2. If your data has Headings and Key Columns - select them
  3. Click the Compare button to get the difference report
  4. Apply filter Duplicate rows in the Legend area
  5. Matching data is in your browser.
  6. Click the Copy button to copy this table to clipboard and paste it into Excel application and save on disk as XLSX\CSV file.
You have two Excel tables. One of them was modified. Where are the differences? How to save them in third XLSX file?
Below is a simple instruction that points you to the different rows.
  1. Open your Excel files on this online Excel file comparison service
  2. Select key columns and heading rows if your tables have such
  3. Compare two selected Excel sheets with Compare button
  4. Apply Updated rows file in the Legend area
  5. Now you see only rows that contains edited cells in the results area
  6. Copy button is the method to export cells into Excel application and save on disk
How to compare columns on the Excel sheet using VLOOKUP command?
In short VLOOKUP command on the xlCompare.com checks for the presence of the value from FILE2 in the FILE1.
Use this command when you need to compare only two (or more) columns for matching values, without comparing other cells in the worksheets.
Data you are working with can be different structure in the FILE1 and FILE2.
  • VLOOKUP command in xlCompare works similar to VLOOKUP worksheet function in Excel. But there is a significant difference, VLOOKUP searches for a single value, while our service can search other worksheet for a combination of values.
  • FILE1 is treated as vocabulary.
  • FILE2 is treated as data file.
  • xlCompare gets values from the selected columns in the FILE2 and searches for these values in the selected columns in FILE1.
  • Rows with values, that are not present in FILE1 are marked with red color in the result panel.
  • Cells in the other columns are not compared.
  • VLOOKUP command compares only cells in the selected columns!
IMPORTANT: to use VLOOKUP command you need to select columns on both worksheets.
Look into next topic to get instructions on how to select columns for the VLOOKUP command.
Example of using VLOOKUP command
You have list of valid SKU#, you are working with, and you need to check if all records in the received Excel table contain valid SKU# values.
VLOOKUP command is an ideal solution for this case.
VLOOKUP gives you values that are present in FILE2 and not present in the FILE1.
But how to find values that are present in the vocabulary (FILE1) and not present in the data file?
Switch FILE1 and FILE2, select same columns and apply VLOOKUP once again.
All you need to do is to switch vocabulary and data. This is very easy method to get the results.

Compare two CSV Files for diffs using desktop tool

xlCompare is the best performing CSV diff tool that compares two CSV files for differences and presents you with a color-coded comparison report. Filters updated and equal records, gets the mismatching records, finds and extracts duplicate rows. xlCompare is your reliable partner if you are using CSV file in your business.
Compare CSV files in Excel
(Difference Report for two CSV files)

What are the benefits of choosing xlCompare to compare CSV files

xlCompare is a good choice if you need to compare CSV files on the daily basis. Let's look into the advantages you are getting if you choose xlCompare as you diff tool for CSV files

Simplicity

xlCompare is very easy to use and has intuitive interface, build in the close interaction with our customers. You don't need to spend your time learning the tool. Just install and use. Application has standard user interface to office applications, that is very close to Excel. In case of any questions our technical stuff will be happy to provide you with online demo of the product.

Compare CSV files by Key

Database tables are often stored in the CSV files and Excel worksheets. Records that were exported from the database usually saved and transmitted as CSV. xlCompare allows you to define primary key columns and heading rows in your tables and compare them as structured data, not like a usual spreadsheet model with formulas and calculations.

You should not be expert in Excel to use this tool

xlCompare is a tool for all common Excel users. If you are an Excel expert or advanced user, probably you don't need a diff tool for Excel files at all. You can do everything yourself. But xlCompare is an option for common Excel users that are not familiar with Conditional Formatting, VLOOKUP function, Visual Basic for Automation programming language and so on.

Efficiency

We don't give you a CSV comparison tool, we are saving your working time and increasing productivity. This is primary aspect of xlCompare. In the modern world we are greatly overloaded, so working time is a critical resource. xlCompare works on thousands of computers around the world and is chosen by leading companies.

Lifetime License = No Future Payments

Lifetime license is an important advantage. You are getting a software that will work for you forever. xlCompare is not a subscription, so there will be no future payments. Your license gives you ability to upgrade the software to all future versions of the software for free.

Compare CSV files in command line mode

xlCompare has a number of command line switches, that allows to compare and merge CSV files using command line mode. Using this feature you can easily integrate xlCompare into you version control application, if you keep CSV files under version control.

How to find differences in two CSV files with xlCompare

xlCompare is a easy way to find differences in two CSV files and highlight them with color. Just in a few clicks you will have your job done. And this is extremely simple.

Open your CSV files in xlCompare application

How to open two CSV files in xlCompare? Just drop them from the Windows explorer into the xlCompare window. The software will open them for you.
CSV file opened in xlCompare

Setup Primary Keys

Once you have your files opened, you need to make sure that Primary Keys are configured properly. This is highly important option to get the accurate results.
Each Primary Key column is marked with Key icon in the heading and highlighted with color.
If you think that you need another selection for your table, than the default one - do the right click on the column heading and set or unset the Key flag.
If you mark your column as Standard column - it will not be considered as Key.
Setup Primary Key in CSV file

Get the Results

Use Compare Sheets command on the Ribbon.
Compare Sheets command
It brings you Comparison Wizard window that contains summary of the data to be compared. After your Primary Keys are selected, just close it by pressing the Compare button and proceed to Comparison Report.
Comparison Wizard window

Comparison Report: xlCompare in the Action

xlCompare provides you with a comprehensive color-coded comparison report. All the differences found between two CSV files are highlighted with color. You will easily identify them among other cells.
Difference report for two CSV files

Changed cell value

Two changed cells are highlighted with Orange fill color.
For the numeric values xlCompare adds tendency icon that indicates increase or decrease of the value.
All identical rows with equal or changed cells are aligned on the worksheets one versus one.
Changed cells

Added and Deleted rows

All rows that are not identified in the other worksheet are highlighted with green color in the left file and with a red color in the right file.
Unique Rows (this term is used for added and deleted rows) doesn't have a corresponding row, so xlCompare inserts empty space into the corresponding worksheet to keep the alignment for the matching rows.
Unique Rows

Detailed information on the changes

Move your mouse over the orange cell and xlCompare will give you detailed information about what was changed in this cell in the Tooltip window.
This is easy and convenient way to get the details of the comparison.
Tooltip window with detailed information

Filter records in CSV files with xlCompare

xlCompare gives you several options on how to quickly filter your data in the worksheet. All of there commands are present on the Home tab of the Ribbon.
Filtering commands

All cells

This is the default selection. No filtering is applied, all cells on the worksheets are visible.

Matching Rows

xlCompare displays only rows with identical cells.
Matching rows in CSV files

Updated Rows

xlCompare display only rows that contains at least one updated cell. These rows have orange background in the heading.
Updated rows in CSV files

Unique Rows

This filter shows mismatched rows on two worksheets. So, if you apply this command xlCompare shows you only green and red rows in the compared CSV files. This is usually called - difference between the CSV files.
Mismatching rows in CSV files

Compare only specific segments of data in CSV files

xlCompare supports auto filter feature that is present in Excel application. If your CSV file is opened in xlCompare, it is automatically formatted as table and xlCompare applies auto filter to this table.
So, you can filter your data in the comparison report by specific data segments.
For example, if you need to compare sales made by your partners in specific marketing segments in USA, just select appropriate filters like on the image below.
xlCompare will show you records that belongs to this segment only.
Compare segments of data in two CSV files

Highlight differences in CSV files

How to highlight changed cells permanently in the file? Apply Mark Changes with Color command on the Ribbon.
It applies color formatting to every changed cell and every unique row.
Please note, that CSV file doesn't allow to keep the formatting options, so you need to save it as XLSX file by clicking on the Save As button.
Highlight changed cells in two CSV files

Extract data from the CSV file into Excel workbook

You've filtered your data by specific criteria. How to get these records including color formatting to be saved in the other file?
Use Save | Only Visible Rows command from the right click menu on the worksheet.
xlCompare will save visible data in the XLSX file on disk. This is easy way to export block of the worksheet and send it by email to your colleague.
Save visible rows in CSV file

Get Rid of Mismatching Rows in CSV file

How to clean your CSV file from the redundant rows, that are not present in the worksheet.
First you need to compare your CSV files for differences in xlCompare.
Apply Unique Rows filter to get the mismatching rows on your screen.
Select all the rows on one side and apply the Delete command from the right click menu.
xlCompare will remove rows from the worksheet.
Now your sheet is clean from the mismatching rows.
Save visible rows in CSV file

Merge(combine) two CSV files into one

xlCompare is a tool that gives you easy method to populate one CSV file with records from the other file.
Look into Merge tab on the ribbon
Set of the commands allows to copy data from one worksheet to another are located on this atb.
Merge commands
If you need to add all the mismatching rows from the left file into the right one - apply Insert Rows From Left command
All the green rows are moved into the right file in one click. Easy and convenient.
Similar command Update Cells from Left copies all the updated cells from the left file into the right one. You are getting your CSV file updated just in one click.
Merged cells in two CSV files

Compare three CSV files for diffs and matches

What to do if you have 3 CSV files you need compare at once. How to find rows that were updated in all CSV files. Or how to extract matching rows - rows that are present in all 3 lists of data.
Apply the 3-File option on the Home tab on the Ribbon.
xlCompare gives you additional panel for the third file. Just open your third file in this panel and get the result.
At no extra efforts you are getting results for such complex task.
In this mode xlCompare also allows you to filter data by specific criteria, filter changed and mismatching records, save visible portion of data on the other worksheet and so on.
Three file comparison for the CSV files is an important benefit that is present in the xlCompare.
Compare three CSV files for differences

CUSTOMER FEEDBACK: Very nice software

Very nice your software, the 3 ways blowed my mind out, I did a 2h job in 10 minutes (I looked 5 sec at my screen without moving because I was so surprised).
Olivier Regout

CONCLUSION: Choosing best CSV diff tool

So, which CSV diff tool is the best? How to make a decision on choosing best diff tool for CSV files.
Benefits of the xlCompare are already discussed above, there is no sense to repeat. But we would like to give you a short list of the proc and cons of the software.

Proc

xlCompare is a easy to use application that perfectly compares and merges CSV files. This tool is a real timesaver in many cases. Armed with xlCompare you can do complex tasks in a seconds.

Cons

Possible xlCompare has one minus - this tool is not free. You can use it during evaluation period, but after it expires you need to order a license.

Why xlCompare is an ultimate tool

xlCompare can be used in various cases that requires spreadsheet comparison. Following advantages makes this tool ultimate utility for CSV file comparison nd merging:

Easy to use

Application has very clear and native interface, that is very similar to Microsoft Excel.

Efficiency

xlCompare makes you efficient in your daily work with Excel. This saves you a lot of efforts and working time.

Clear results

You are getting clear and easy to understand comparison results. You can see examples on the screenshots above.

Reasonable price

Actual price of xlCompare is amount of time spent to spreadsheet comparison multiplied by your hourly rate. So, the application has reasonable price in comparison with other tools on the market.

Lifetime license

xlCompare is sold as a lifetime license. You don't need to pay more for this tool. License includes upgrades to all future versions of the xlCompare and support.
Now we have version 11 on the website. If you order it now, you will be able to upgrade it to xlCompare 12, xlCompare 15 and so on.
You never lose your license.

I have a question about xlCompare

Please, describe your question or inquery in the form below. We will be happy to respond you!

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Get more information about comparing Excel spreadsheets and CSV files for differences. Alternatives to xlCompare and other useful information.

SPREADSHEET TOOLS ARTICLES

REDDIT: Compare CSV files for differences

QUORA TOPICS: Questions about CSV file comparison

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