Spreadsheet compare

Question

Hi

How do I get access to Spreadsheet compare in Excel?

I have a Partner Launch Benefits subscription with access to various Office 365 versions

Answer 1

Spreadsheet Compare and the related Spreadsheet Inquire add-in are only available with specific Office editions.

To use Spreadsheet Compare from Excel on Windows:

1. Ensure the subscription includes Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise or Office Professional Plus 2013/2016/2019/2021. Spreadsheet Compare is not included with all Office 365/Microsoft 365 plans.
2. Once the correct edition is installed on the PC, Spreadsheet Compare is installed as a separate tool:
   • In Windows 10/11: open Start and search for “Spreadsheet Compare”.
   • In Windows 8: on the Start screen, type “Spreadsheet Compare”.
3. In Excel, enable and use the Inquire add-in (if available in the edition) to compare workbooks directly:
   • Open Excel.
   • If the Inquire tab is not visible, follow the steps in “Turn on the Spreadsheet Inquire add-in” (see the referenced article) to enable it.
   • On the Inquire tab, use Compare Files to compare two open workbooks. This command uses Spreadsheet Compare under the hood.

If Spreadsheet Compare or the Inquire tab does not appear after confirming the edition, that Office build likely does not include these tools, and they will not be available in Excel with that subscription.

---

References:

• Basic tasks in Spreadsheet Compare
• Overview of Spreadsheet Compare
• Compare workbooks using Spreadsheet Inquire
• Compare two versions of a workbook by using Spreadsheet Compare