Compare two files and highlight differences

rorozco

New Member
Joined
Apr 21, 2021
Messages
4
Office Version
  1. 365
  2. 2016
Platform
  1. Windows
Hello,

I need to compare two files (File A and FIle B) and highlight the differences (in File A).

The two Files may have different columns but I only want to compare two of the columns with the same name. See below for Column info:

Identification Number (ID)ModuleFunction BlockComponent(s)Failure Rate
BC01BPCBC ConnectorsCON1A
0.109617​
BC02BPCFC ConnectorsCON1B
0.109617​
BC03BPCBC to FC ConnectorsCON1C
0.109617​


I want to search Column A (Identification Number ID) each cell and Compare Column C (Function Block) row if anything has changed, if so then highlight it.

Typically we get a new set of data every few weeks and there are hundreds of rows. The Identification Number ID never changes but the content in the other columns might. How can I go by doing this easily and time efficient? Currently I try to compare row by row.

Thank you.
 

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I would join the two tables in Power Query with the unique identifier in Column A as the field to join on.

Once joined, in PQ add a column and compare Column C of each file to see if they match.

If you post some sample data for the second table, I will demonstrate the Mcode to make this happen.
 
Upvote 0
I would join the two tables in Power Query with the unique identifier in Column A as the field to join on.

Once joined, in PQ add a column and compare Column C of each file to see if they match.

If you post some sample data for the second table, I will demonstrate the Mcode to make this happen.

Hello Alan, see below for example of second table. Can you please show me how to do this in Mcode? I would appreciate it.

Identification Number (ID)ModuleFunction BlockComponent(s)Failure Rate
BC01BPCBPC to FIC ConnectorsCON1A
0.109617​
BC02BPCDTD ConnectorCON1B
0.109617​
BC03BPCDTD Power EnableCON1C
0.109617​
 
Upvote 0
Once you have brought each table into Power Query, then Merge as new. Here is the Mcode to produce the result below

Power Query:
let
    Source = Table.NestedJoin(Table1, {"Identification Number (ID)"}, Table2, {"Identification Number (ID)"}, "Table2", JoinKind.LeftOuter),
    #"Expanded Table2" = Table.ExpandTableColumn(Source, "Table2", {"Function Block"}, {"Table2.Function Block"}),
    #"Added Custom" = Table.AddColumn(#"Expanded Table2", "Same/Different", each if[Function Block]=[Table2.Function Block] then "Same" else "Different")
in
    #"Added Custom"

Book10
ABCDEFG
1Identification Number (ID)ModuleFunction BlockComponent(s)Failure RateTable2.Function BlockSame/Different
2BC01BPCBC ConnectorsCON1A0.109617BPC to FIC ConnectorsDifferent
3BC02BPCFC ConnectorsCON1B0.109617DTD ConnectorDifferent
4BC03BPCBC to FC ConnectorsCON1C0.109617DTD Power EnableDifferent
Merge1
 
Upvote 0
Once you have brought each table into Power Query, then Merge as new. Here is the Mcode to produce the result below

Power Query:
let
    Source = Table.NestedJoin(Table1, {"Identification Number (ID)"}, Table2, {"Identification Number (ID)"}, "Table2", JoinKind.LeftOuter),
    #"Expanded Table2" = Table.ExpandTableColumn(Source, "Table2", {"Function Block"}, {"Table2.Function Block"}),
    #"Added Custom" = Table.AddColumn(#"Expanded Table2", "Same/Different", each if[Function Block]=[Table2.Function Block] then "Same" else "Different")
in
    #"Added Custom"

Book10
ABCDEFG
1Identification Number (ID)ModuleFunction BlockComponent(s)Failure RateTable2.Function BlockSame/Different
2BC01BPCBC ConnectorsCON1A0.109617BPC to FIC ConnectorsDifferent
3BC02BPCFC ConnectorsCON1B0.109617DTD ConnectorDifferent
4BC03BPCBC to FC ConnectorsCON1C0.109617DTD Power EnableDifferent
Merge1
Awesome thanks I will try this out right now, question what if I want to check for both columns "Function Block" and "component(s)?
 
Upvote 0
You can change the Add Custom Column to compare both fields. Delete any fields you do not require

Power Query:
let
    Source = Table.NestedJoin(Table1, {"Identification Number (ID)"}, Table2, {"Identification Number (ID)"}, "Table2", JoinKind.LeftOuter),
    #"Expanded Table2" = Table.ExpandTableColumn(Source, "Table2", {"Function Block", "Component(s)"}, {"Table2.Function Block", "Table2.Component(s)"}),
    SameDiffFunction = Table.AddColumn(#"Expanded Table2", "Function", each if [Function Block] = [Table2.Function Block] then "Same" else "Different"),
    SameDiffComp = Table.AddColumn(SameDiffFunction, "Component", each if [#"Component(s)"] = [#"Table2.Component(s)"] then "Same" else "Different")
in
    SameDiffComp

Book10
ABCDEFGHI
1Identification Number (ID)ModuleFunction BlockComponent(s)Failure RateTable2.Function BlockTable2.Component(s)FunctionComponent
2BC01BPCBC ConnectorsCON1A0.109617BPC to FIC ConnectorsCON1ADifferentSame
3BC02BPCFC ConnectorsCON1B0.109617DTD ConnectorCON1BDifferentSame
4BC03BPCBC to FC ConnectorsCON1C0.109617DTD Power EnableCON1CDifferentSame
Merge1
 
Upvote 0
Solution
I would join the two tables in Power Query with the unique identifier in Column A as the field to join on.

Once joined, in PQ add a column and compare Column C of each file to see if they match.

If you post some sample data for the second table, I will demonstrate the Mcode to make this happen.
Hello,

I am having problems brining both tables into Power Query (sorry I am new to PQ). I have file 1 called Export, file 2 called Export 2. Can you tell me exactly how I can bring both tables together?
 
Upvote 0
Highlight the table you wish to bring into PQ. Click on Data-->Get and Transform-->from table/range.
 
Upvote 0

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