How to compare 2 tables in Excel
For the relatively small and simple Excel tables, we recommend to use free online comparison service xlCompare. What can be easy than drop 2 files on the webpage and click the Compare Tables button.
Having more complex files and want more security?
Use the desktop tool xlCompare for Windows. It compares two Excel tables and VBA code and provides you with a color coded comparison report.
xlCompare presents differences between 2 Excel tables
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12.02
Build Date:
July 30, 2025
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To compare two tables stored on the Excel worksheets, you need to decide if your table has heading and key columns.
Why this is important?
Key columns identify rows in the table. To compare 2 tables correctly xlCompare needs to identify matching and mismatching rows. Key values are the only way to do this.
If you are working with unsorted tables - this is highly important.
What will happen if I don't define key columns?
In this case xlCompare tries to find the best match for every row.
For example, you have two tables with prices. Values like Samsung UE43DU7100UXUA and Samsung UE43T5300AUXUA could be marked as changed. This happens in case, if other cells in these rows are similar,
and rows are located on the same place in both Excel tables.
But, if you select the key column - this pair of rows will be always treated as different.
Worksheets compared without key columns
Apple item is present in both tables, but these rows are not marked as matching.
Worksheets with key columns and heading
Apple item was found on the other worksheet.
