Frequently Asked Questions
Desktop version of xlCompare is Windows application with modern UI, that is easy to use and learn. If you are working with Excel - you easily integrate xlCompare into your workflow. xlCompare is more than a diff checker tool that points you to the difference. It answers the question - what will change in the output of your model and calculation chain if you modify input cells. xlCompare can open and compare quite large XLSX, XML, CSV and Text files.
This section contains the information you need to know to use xlCompare effectively.
Select key columns and headings
If you are working with tables, it is important to define heading rows and key columns in your spreadsheet ...
Get matching and mismatching rows
xlCompare provides you with a set of filtering commands to quickly get unique or identical rows ...
Select worksheets to be compared in two Excel files
If your Excel file has a number of worksheets, in this window you can pair them correctly and review key columns and table heading areas for all the sheets in your Excel files ...
Compare two columns for mismatching items
How to get the list of mismatching items and correct them ...
Save or email comparison report
Compare two Excel files and export color coded comparison report into XLSX, PDF or HTML file ...
Display difference in cell values
xlCompare has a option to display original and modified value in same cell. With this option comparison report became much more clear ...
Hide and ignore columns that you don't need in the output
You don't need some columns on your worksheet to be compared? Use Manage Columns command to view and change hidden, ignored and linked columns ...
Populate sheet with rows from another sheet
Do you need to update your Excel table with records from another one? xlCompare has a set of merge commands to copy data from one sheet to another in one click ...
VBA macros and forms is an important part of the Excel files. xlCompare compares VBA modules and Form controls without extracting them into text files.
Top methods to compare Excel files
In this guide, we'll review every available method for comparing Excel spreadsheets. We'll compare the most popular free and commercial solutions on the market today, explain their pros and cons, and help you choose the best option for your specific needs.
Integrate xlCompare with GIT, Perforce and Other Tools
Integrate xlCompare with your source code control application to compare different revisions of the XLSX, XML and TEXT files. Excel files are binary files and can't be processed with a text diff tool. Comparing two or three text files is much more trivial than comparing spreadsheets. xlCompare Professional has 3-way file comparison and automatic merging for Excel files. If you are Game developer and you are using Unreal Engine or Unity - xlCompare will help you to manage XLSX files you keep under version control.
How to keep and review all the revisions of your XLSX file? Read this instruction if you are using GIT in your development process.
How to use xlCompare with Perforce (P4V)
Perforce is your source control app? Connect xlCompare with Perforce with view and merge commits in your XLSX files.
SVN is a common tool for version control. This step-by-step quide will help you to integrate xlCompare into your SVN client tool.
Use xlCompare to compare and merge XLSX, XML and TEXT files with Command Line Interface.
Your Excel file was modified by a colleague? Compare LOCAL, BASE and REMOTE versions of the file to resolve merge conflict.
Formula Auditing and Analysis for Excel Files
Analysis and detection of dependencies between formulas in Excel files. Check whether any two cells in a model are connected by a dependency. Debug formulas by breaking calculations down into individual sub-expressions.
xlCompare is a powerful platform for analyzing, auditing, and tracking changes in Excel workbooks. The Spreadsheet Core engine allows to view internals of the calculations in your file. Split calculation of a formula into subexpressions with the Evaluate Formula command.
Like Microsoft Excel and Dependency Auditor, xlCompare is able to trace precedents of the formula. You will find this feature useful, if you are working with complex formulas on the daily basis. This feature is extremely useful if your spreadsheet has deep level of dependencies between formulas.
License and Activation
After you order is processed you automatically receive an email with license information. This instruction describes how to activate your copy of xlCompare.
Transfer xlCompare to other computer
You never lose your xlCompare license. After you got a new computer or restored the existing one you can activate xlCompare again.
Read or download as PDF the xlCompare End-User License Agreement.
This topic describes all xlCompare commands and options. It covers XLSX, XML and Text file comparison commands.