Guides
Spreadsheet cleaning, explained.
Clear Excel methods for the job in front of you. Understand your options, check the result and choose the tool that fits.
Compare data
How to Compare Two Workbook Versions Like Word’s Compare Feature
Want Word-style comparison for Excel? Choose a record difference report, workbook inspection, or edit history, then compare two saved versions by ID.
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How to Compare Excel Files With Different Columns or Headers
Compare Excel files when columns move, headers change, or fields are added. Map record IDs and equivalent fields, then review a separate difference report.
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Spreadsheet Compare Greyed Out? Which Command to Check and How to Fix It
Diagnose a greyed-out Excel comparison command. Separate Inquire Compare Files from legacy Compare and Merge Workbooks, then choose the right workflow.
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How to Compare Two Excel Files With Different Numbers of Rows
Compare Excel files with different row counts by matching record IDs. Find added, missing and changed records without treating shifted rows as changes.
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Spreadsheet Compare Not Available? Here's What to Use Instead
Find out why Spreadsheet Compare is missing, check Excel's Inquire add-in, and choose a practical way to compare workbook values by record ID.
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How to Compare Two Excel Files on a Mac
Compare Excel files on a Mac using record IDs, a browser comparison report, or formulas. Find added, missing and changed rows even when the order changes.
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Split an Excel Sheet Into Multiple Files Based on a Column Value
Split an Excel sheet into separate files by a column value. Compare filters, PivotTables, Power Query, and practical safeguards before exporting.
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Convert Numbers Stored as Text to Real Numbers in Excel
Find numbers stored as text in Excel and choose a conversion method that protects IDs, formulas, and number formats.
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VLOOKUP Not Working? Why You Get #N/A — and How to See the Real Reason
A trailing space, hidden character, text-versus-number mismatch, or missing ID can all cause #N/A. Diagnose the real reason before merging sheets.
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Split One Excel Column Into Multiple Columns — even Without a Delimiter
Learn when Text to Columns, formulas, Flash Fill, or Power Query can split an Excel column, including values with no delimiter.
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Compare Two Lists in Excel: What's Missing, What's New, and What Changed
Compare two Excel lists to find shared records, missing rows on either side, and values that disagree after matching IDs.
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VLOOKUP Returns the First Match: How Duplicate Values Cause Wrong Results
VLOOKUP silently picks the first matching row when IDs repeat. Find duplicate keys and choose an explicit rule before bringing columns across.
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Automated Excel Cleanup Without Losing Formulas or Formatting
A practical order for cleaning messy Excel data, from structure and types through duplicates and validation, while protecting the original workbook.
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