Comparing data between files can be a tedious task, especially when dealing with spreadsheets. Whether you’re working with Excel files or CSV documents, identifying differences manually is time-consuming and prone to errors. Fortunately, our online tool simplifies this process, allowing you to quickly and efficiently compare CSV and Excel files for differences.
This web-based tool makes comparing any Excel or CSV document incredibly easy. Simply upload your original file in the left window and the modified file in the right window. The tool automatically extracts your data, selects the first sheet by default (which you can easily change from the dropdown menu), and prepares for comparison. Alternatively, for quick comparisons, you can directly copy and paste your data into the left and right windows.
Once your data is loaded, just click the Compare button to instantly find the differences. The tool highlights all discrepancies clearly: additions are marked in green, removals in red, and changed values in blue. This visual representation makes it straightforward to pinpoint exactly what has been altered between your two files.
Need to share or further analyze the comparison results? You can export the difference report in various formats including .xlsx, .csv, .ods, or .html. If you encounter any issues with Excel export, the OpenDocument export (.ods) provides a reliable alternative. For direct integration with your spreadsheet software, you can also select all the comparison results (Ctrl+A), copy (Ctrl+C), and paste (Ctrl+V) them directly.
Comparing Sheets within the Same File
Our tool is also perfect for comparing different sheets within the same Excel file. To do this, simply upload the same file in both the “original” and “modified” sections. Then, use the dropdown menus to select the specific sheets you want to compare. This feature is invaluable for tracking changes between versions of the same spreadsheet.
Understanding the Difference Indicators
To help you interpret the comparison results quickly, here’s a breakdown of the symbols used:
- +++ : Indicates a row that has been added in the second (modified) file.
- — : Signifies a row that has been removed from the second (modified) file.
- –> : Highlights a cell value difference between the two files.
- : : Denotes a moved or reordered row in the modified file.
- @@ : Marks a header row.
...: Indicates that unchanged rows or columns between differences have been omitted for clarity, making it easier to focus on the changes.
Alt text: Online CSV and Excel comparison tool interface showcasing highlighted differences with red for removals, green for additions and blue for changes in a sample data table.
Supported Spreadsheet File Formats
This versatile comparison tool supports a wide range of spreadsheet and data file formats, ensuring compatibility with your files:
- Microsoft Excel: Supports both older and newer Excel formats including XLS, XLSX, XLSM, and XLSB.
- CSV (Comma Separated Values) and TXT (Text) files: Handles delimiter-separated text files. For advanced CSV comparison options or if you encounter parsing issues, we recommend using our dedicated CSV Compare tool.
- DIF (Data Interchange Format): Supports the legacy Data Interchange Format.
- OpenDocument Spreadsheet (ODS and FODS): Compatible with OpenDocument formats.
- HTML Tables: Allows comparison of data within HTML tables.
Formula Comparisons
It’s important to note that this tool performs value-based comparisons only. It does not compare formulas. The comparison is done row by column, based on the displayed values in each cell. For the most accurate results, ensure your sheets are well-organized with similar column layouts or are sorted appropriately.
Data Privacy Assurance
Your data privacy is our priority. When you use this online comparison tool, all data extraction, comparison, and export processes are performed directly within your web browser. No data is uploaded to our servers during the comparison process itself, ensuring your sensitive information remains private and secure on your local machine.
However, if you choose to save and share your comparison results, the result file will be uploaded to our server to generate a unique URL. This URL allows you to easily share your findings, but it’s only accessible to those with the link.
This online CSV and Excel compare tool provides a fast, secure, and efficient way to identify differences between your spreadsheet files, enhancing your data management and analysis workflows.
