Using xlCompare to compare Excel Worksheets

Red button Compare command on the xlCompare main window performs complete excel workbook comparison.

It processes all worksheets and vba modules looking for discrepancies. When comparison is done, results are shown in the Difference Browser window.

To make discrepancies representation more suitable, they are grouped by it's source:

  • Sheets
  • Names
  • VBA Projects
In brackets xlCompare shows number of discrepancies. If there are no brackets with number, there are no discrepancies in this section.

Root node in the Difference Browser represents workbook. In brackets we indicate how many discrepancies has been found when comparing conents of the first workbook with contents the second workbook.

Value 1 and Value 2 columns show cell values and formulas in the Workbook 1 and Workbook 2.

When you select difference in tree, xlCompare shows it in the context of the worksheet:

The Worksheet Window, used to display differences, is a feature present only in the xlCompare. This tool shows comparison report exactly as it looks in Excel. You can work with it in the same way as you are working with your workbook in the Excel application.

Using right click menu in the Difference Browser window you can:

  • save comparison report in the HTML or tab-delimited text file
  • mark selected difference\all differences with color
  • get additional information on the difference
  • merge different values from both workbooks
  • restart the comparison
  • switch Workbook 1 with Workbook 2 and restart the comparison
  • save one of the compared workbooks