How to compare excel files without the inquire add-in — browser-based alternative
- Step 1Save the two workbooks you'd have compared in Inquire — Save the original and the revised files separately (
report_old.xlsx,report_new.xlsx). In Range Diff, the first file uploaded is the baseline and the second is the new version — the same 'compare files' direction Inquire uses. - Step 2Open the tool in any browser — No add-in, no install. Range Diff is a web tool that runs in Chrome, Edge, Safari, or Firefox on any OS — including the Macs and Chromebooks where Inquire isn't available.
- Step 3Sign in to a Pro account — Range Diff is Pro-gated and needs two files at once. Free allows only one file per run. Pro covers 50 MB / 100,000 rows per file and 5 files; higher tiers go further — comparable headroom to desktop Spreadsheet Compare for most workbooks.
- Step 4Drop the original first, then the revised — Upload file A (original), then file B (revised). Both are read in-browser. There are no options to set — unlike Inquire's compare dialog, the comparison is fixed and deterministic.
- Step 5Read the change summary — The result panel shows
diffCountplus the first 200 changes as[Sheet] Column[row N]: "old" → "new" (type)— the browser equivalent of Inquire's change list, listing entered values, removed values, and edits. - Step 6Download diff-report.xlsx — Open the colour-coded workbook and scan for green/amber/red, the same colour logic Inquire's report uses. Each cell shows the new value (or the old value where a value was removed).
Range Diff vs Microsoft Inquire / Spreadsheet Compare
An honest capability comparison so you know what does and doesn't carry over.
| Capability | Inquire / Spreadsheet Compare | JAD Range Diff |
|---|---|---|
| Cell-level value diff (added/removed/changed) | Yes | Yes |
| Colour-coded change report | Yes | Yes (green/red/amber) |
| Availability | Office Pro Plus / select M365 only | Any browser, any OS |
| Install / admin rights needed | Yes (COM add-in) | No |
| Row realignment on insert/delete | Yes | No — positional only |
| Formula / precedent & relationship maps | Yes | No (see dependency map tool) |
| Configurable options | Several | None — deterministic |
| Data leaves your machine | No (desktop) | No (in-browser) |
How Range Diff matches (vs how Inquire behaves)
The matching rules, with the key difference from Inquire highlighted.
| Dimension | Range Diff rule | Note vs Inquire |
|---|---|---|
| Sheets | By name (union of both files) | Similar; rename = removed + added sheet |
| Rows | By position (index) | Inquire can realign; Range Diff cannot |
| Columns | By header name | Reordered columns still match |
| Values | Exact string compare | No tolerance / case options |
| Output | Colour-coded XLSX + text list | Inquire shows an interactive report |
Tier limits
Range Diff is Pro+; these limits cover most workbooks Inquire users compare.
| Tier | Max file size | Max rows / file | Files per run |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | 5 MB | 10,000 | 1 (can't run a 2-file diff) |
| Pro | 50 MB | 100,000 | 5 |
| Pro-media | 200 MB | 500,000 | 20 |
| Developer | 500 MB | Unlimited | Unlimited |
Cookbook
Common Inquire 'Compare Files' tasks, recreated in the browser. Summary lines match the tool's real [Sheet] Column[row N]: "old" → "new" (type) format.
The basic 'Entered/Changed values' report
Inquire's compare highlights entered and changed values across two workbooks. Range Diff produces the same classification: added (green), changed (amber), removed (red).
old.xlsx (Sheet1): new.xlsx (Sheet1): Item,Value Item,Value A,10 A,15 B, B,20 Result: diffCount: 2 [Sheet1] Value[row 0]: "10" → "15" (changed) → amber [Sheet1] Value[row 1]: "" → "20" (added) → green
Comparing on a Mac (where Inquire doesn't exist)
Excel for Mac has no Inquire add-in. Range Diff runs in Safari/Chrome on macOS with identical behaviour to the Windows browser path — all processing is client-side JavaScript.
Platform: macOS, Safari 1. Open Range Diff in the browser 2. Drop report_old.xlsx then report_new.xlsx 3. Download diff-report.xlsx → No add-in, no Spreadsheet Compare.exe, no install.
Where Range Diff differs from Inquire: a row insert
Inquire can realign rows after an insertion so only the new row is flagged. Range Diff is positional, so an insert shifts later rows and they flag as changed.
old: new (row inserted at top):
Name,Qty Name,Qty
Apple,3 Cherry,9 ← inserted
Banana,7 Apple,3
Banana,7
Inquire: flags 1 added row.
Range Diff: flags rows below as changed too.
Workaround: sort both files by a key column first.Diffing a CSV export against a workbook
Spreadsheet Compare expects two workbooks. Range Diff accepts CSV on either side, so you can compare a fresh CSV export against last week's XLSX directly.
old.xlsx ↔ new.csv Both read in-browser; CSV is treated as a single sheet. Result: cell-by-cell diff of matching columns by header.
Confirming 'no changes' on a resubmission
A quick way to prove a returned file is identical: a diffCount of 0 means every cell matched, the browser equivalent of Inquire reporting no differences.
old.xlsx ↔ resubmitted.xlsx Result: diffCount: 0 Compared N sheet(s). 0 differences found. → Files are identical at the cell level.
Edge cases and what actually happens
Expecting Inquire's relationship/precedent maps
Not supportedRange Diff is a value diff only. It does not produce Inquire's workbook-relationship diagram, cell-relationship, or formula-precedent trees. For dependency analysis use the dependency map; for a value comparison, Range Diff covers it.
Expecting row realignment after an insert
Not supported (positional)Unlike Inquire, Range Diff compares rows by position with no content-based realignment. An inserted or deleted row shifts later rows and they flag as changed. Sort both files by a stable key column first to approximate alignment.
Only one file uploaded
ErrorRange Diff requires two files. With one, it throws 'Two files are required for comparison.' Upload the original first, then the revised.
Free tier
Pro requiredThe tool throws 'Range Diff requires Pro tier.' Free also allows only one file per run, so a two-file comparison can't run. Upgrade to Pro or higher.
A sheet was renamed
ExpectedSheets match by name, so a renamed tab is treated as a removed sheet (all red) plus an added sheet (all green). Inquire's behaviour differs; rename tabs to match before comparing for a true cell diff.
Same value, different number format
Changed (string compare)Values compare as strings, so 5 vs 5.0 or 1,000 vs 1000 register as changed — there's no formatting normalisation. Export both files with matching formats to avoid cosmetic diffs.
Columns reordered
PreservedColumns match by header name, so reordering columns doesn't create false changes — the same behaviour you'd want from Inquire. Only renamed/added headers count as new columns.
Password-protected workbook
Cannot readSheetJS can't read an encrypted, password-protected workbook. Remove protection in Excel and re-save before diffing. To check whether a file is protected, see the password tester.
Many differences
Summary cappedThe text list shows the first 200 changes (findings hold 500), but diffCount is the true total and every change is coloured in diff-report.xlsx. Review the workbook for a complete picture, as you would Inquire's full report.
Sheet name over 31 characters
TruncatedExcel limits sheet names to 31 characters, so the output worksheet name is truncated. Long names matching in their first 31 characters could collide in the output.
Frequently asked questions
Is this a full replacement for the Inquire add-in?
For the 'Compare Files' value-diff task, yes — it produces the added/removed/changed colour-coded report in any browser. It does not replicate Inquire's workbook-relationship maps, cell-relationship analysis, or formula-precedent trees, and it uses positional rather than realigned row matching. If you only need to see which cell values changed between two files, it's a direct alternative; for relationship analysis, see the dependency map tool.
Why can't I find Compare Files in my Excel?
Inquire and Spreadsheet Compare ship only with Office Professional Plus and certain Microsoft 365 enterprise plans — not standard Excel, Microsoft 365 Personal/Family, or Excel for Mac. If your ribbon has no Inquire tab, your plan doesn't include it. Range Diff gives you a browser-based comparison regardless of plan or OS.
Does it work on a Mac or Chromebook?
Yes. Range Diff is a browser tool with all processing done in client-side JavaScript (ExcelJS/SheetJS), so it runs in Safari, Chrome, Edge, or Firefox on macOS, ChromeOS, Linux, and Windows alike — exactly the platforms where Inquire isn't available.
Are my workbooks uploaded to a server?
No. Like desktop Inquire, processing is local — but here it's in your browser. Files never leave your machine; only an anonymous processed-file counter is logged for dashboard stats. That's a key advantage over cloud-based 'compare two spreadsheets online' sites that upload your data.
Why does an inserted row produce so many differences?
Range Diff matches rows by position, so inserting a row shifts every row below it and they compare against the wrong original — flagging as changed. Inquire can realign; Range Diff can't. Sort both files by a stable key column before diffing to line rows up.
Does it need an installation or admin rights?
No. There's no COM add-in to enable, no Spreadsheet Compare executable, and no admin permission needed — common blockers for Inquire on managed corporate machines. You just open the web page and drop two files.
Can it open a CSV, like an export from another system?
Yes. Either side can be CSV or XLSX, so you can compare a CSV export against a saved workbook — something Spreadsheet Compare won't do directly. A CSV is read as a single sheet.
Does it compare formulas like Inquire?
It compares the cell values SheetJS reads, not the formula text or precedent chains. Inquire can analyse formulas and relationships; for that, use the formula explainer or dependency map. Range Diff focuses on what each cell evaluates to.
What if my file is password-protected?
An encrypted, password-protected workbook can't be read in the browser. Remove protection in Excel and re-save, then diff. The password tester can confirm whether a file carries protection.
How big a file can it compare?
Pro allows 50 MB and 100,000 rows per file, Pro-media 200 MB / 500,000 rows, Developer 500 MB and unlimited rows — comparable headroom to desktop Spreadsheet Compare for typical workbooks. Free can't run a two-file diff.
Can I configure the comparison, like Inquire's options?
No — Range Diff has no options. The comparison is fixed: sheets by name, rows by position, columns by header, values as exact strings. That makes results reproducible, but it means there's no case-insensitive or tolerance setting. Normalise files first if you need that.
Which related tools round out an Inquire-style workflow?
Use the dependency map for Inquire-style relationship analysis, the formula explainer for formula breakdowns, the error locator to find broken cells, and the sheet joiner to consolidate tabs before comparing.
Privacy first
Every JAD Excel tool runs entirely in your browser using SheetJS and ExcelJS. Your spreadsheets, formulas, and data never leave your device — verified by zero outbound network requests during processing.