Compare two Excel files and see what changed

How to compare two Excel files on Mac or Windows

1. Save both versions of the workbook. Keep the earlier copy so you have something to compare the revision against.
2. Open Diff Anything. Choose File on the left and select the older workbook.
3. Choose File on the right and select the newer workbook.
4. Read the spreadsheet result and its Differences list. Each changed cell has an address such as Budget!B3.

Keeping the older file on the left makes the result easier to read consistently. In this example, Budget - March.xlsx is the original and Budget - April.xlsx is the revision.

What changed in this budget?

The example has six changed cells. Four are on the Budget sheet; two are on Timeline.

That gives you a useful review list: development and testing need more hours, their totals are higher, and the launch moved two weeks. You can ask about those specific changes instead of scanning the entire workbook or relying on a summary in an email.

The table shows the example’s stored values. Diff Anything shows that the totals changed; it does not verify calculation logic.

Go through the changes without losing your place

Click an entry in Differences to select that cell in the grid. The cell’s address connects the result to the workbook, so Budget!B5 means cell B5 on the Budget sheet.

Clicking Timeline!B5 switches to the Timeline sheet. You can also choose a sheet from the Sheet menu to inspect the surrounding values.

After checking a change, select Reviewed. The reviewed counter helps you see how much of the list you have covered in this comparison. Use it to track your review; make any workbook corrections in your spreadsheet editor, save the file, and compare again.

This is useful for recurring budget revisions, staffing plans, and operational reports where the sheet names and row positions remain consistent.

Choose the right comparison for your workbook

When rows have moved

Workbook cells are matched by sheet and position. If someone inserts, deletes, or sorts rows, values can move to different addresses and produce many apparent changes.

For a table with a stable identifier, such as an employee ID or order number, export the relevant sheet from each workbook as CSV. Compare those two CSV files and choose that identifier as the key column. Matching CSV rows by key lets you review records when their order changes.

When formulas or presentation matter

Spreadsheet comparison checks stored cell values. It does not compare formulas, formatting, charts, macros, or workbook layout, and it does not recalculate formulas. Recalculate and save the workbooks in your spreadsheet editor first if you need their latest calculated values.

A result with no value differences does not mean the files are identical in every respect. Review calculation logic and presentation in the spreadsheet editor when those are part of the approval.

When the files use different spreadsheet formats

You can also compare supported Excel, OpenDocument (ODS), and Apple Numbers workbooks with each other. The comparison still checks stored values by sheet and cell position. See comparing spreadsheets in different formats for that workflow.

Try it with your next workbook revision

Choose an earlier and a revised workbook with the same structure. Open them side by side, follow one changed cell to its sheet, and work through the Differences list before handing the file on.

For the broader workflow, see compare Excel files without uploading them or explore Diff Anything.