Can Microsoft Copilot Compare Two Excel Workbooks?
Question details
Users want to know if Microsoft Copilot can automatically compare two different Excel workbooks and highlight the differences between them.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to generate a difference report by comparing the data, formulas, and formatting of two separate Excel files.
- Observed behavior
- Currently, there is no official confirmation or capability in Microsoft Copilot to perform a side-by-side comparison of two separate workbooks to find differences.
Ensure that both Excel workbooks you wish to compare are saved locally on your device and that you are using a Microsoft Office Professional Plus or Microsoft 365 enterprise edition, which supports the Inquire add-in.
Use the Built-in Excel Inquire Add-in
Since Copilot does not officially support comparing two separate workbooks yet, using Excel's native Inquire add-in is the recommended alternative to generate a detailed difference report.
The Inquire add-in is a powerful built-in tool in enterprise editions of Excel, designed specifically for workbook analysis and comparison. It highlights changes in data, formulas, and formatting cell by cell.
Open Excel, go to 'File' > 'Options', and select 'Add-ins'. In the 'Manage' dropdown at the bottom of the window, select 'COM Add-ins' and click 'Go'. Check the box next to 'Inquire' and click 'OK'.
Open the two separate Excel workbook files you want to compare so they are both active in the background.
Navigate to the newly enabled 'Inquire' tab on the ribbon and click 'Compare Files'. Select your older and newer workbooks from the respective dropdown menus, and click 'Compare' to generate the cell-by-cell difference report.
Use WPS Office for Lightweight Spreadsheet Management
If your version of Microsoft Excel does not support the Inquire add-in, WPS Office provides a free, lightweight alternative with robust spreadsheet analysis tools and seamless file compatibility.
- 1. Open WPS Spreadsheets: Launch WPS Office and open the two spreadsheet files you want to review and compare.
- 2. Enable Side-by-Side View: Go to the 'View' tab on the top ribbon and click the 'View Side by Side' button to arrange the two workbooks on your screen.
- 3. Compare Data Visually: Turn on 'Synchronous Scrolling' from the ribbon to navigate both workbooks simultaneously and visually compare their data row by row.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why don't I see the Inquire tab in Microsoft Excel?
The Inquire add-in is only available in specific enterprise editions of Microsoft Office, such as Office Professional Plus or Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise. If you are using a standard, Home, or personal edition, the COM add-in will not appear in your options.
Can Microsoft Copilot compare sheets within the same workbook?
Copilot can analyze data formatted as tables within a single workbook to spot trends or anomalies, but it does not currently generate a dedicated cell-by-cell difference report between two separate sheets.
How can I compare two Excel files if I don't have the Inquire add-in?
You can open both files and use the 'View Side by Side' feature under the 'View' tab in Excel. Enable 'Synchronous Scrolling' to visually check for differences as you scroll through the rows and columns.
Where can I request new features for Copilot in Excel?
You can submit feature requests or ask for capability confirmations in the Microsoft Q&A forums using the 'Microsoft Copilot for Microsoft 365' tag.
