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Excel is an essential tool for data management and analysis for any organization or individual. It is used to manage accounting sheets, data analysis, audits, and much more. Consolidating data from multiple sources can be a bit tricky, but it is necessary for making your data management process more efficient. Excel provides us with different table consolidators to simplify this process, but there is no one-size-fits-all software. In this article, we’ll be discussing the top seven Excel table consolidators and their unique features. We’ll also be giving our thoughts on each software and answering some FAQs.
Video Tutorial:
What Can Excel Table Consolidators Do?
Excel table consolidators are used to merge data from multiple sources into a single worksheet. This simplifies the data management process, especially when you have to combine a lot of data from multiple sources. Even though Excel provides its own consolidating tools like "Consolidate," you might need third-party tools that offer more capable features. These third-party tools can facilitate the process of consolidating large datasets with various formats into a clean and organized table format. They offer the ability to merge rows and columns based on user-defined rules, provide data calculations, and even offer pivot table reports.
What Factors Should Be Considered While Choosing Excel Table Consolidators?
Choosing the right table consolidator software will allow you to convert your data into a more efficient format. It can save you a lot of time and manpower. But, before you make your choice, several factors should be considered.
1. Price
The pricing of the software plays a significant role in choosing the right tool. Some software might provide exceptional features, but they are too expensive to own, and the benefits do not justify the cost. And, some tools offer the most effective features at cheaper prices. It is crucial to determine the table consolidator software that suits your budget and provides value for money.
2. User Interface
A functional and user-friendly interface is always a plus. You should choose software that is simple to use and doesn’t require any technical know-how. A well-designed interface makes the software more accessible, saves time, and avoids the chances of any malicious operations.
3. Ease-of-Use
Table consolidators should have user-friendly functions for a smooth user experience. The software must be straightforward with simple installation procedures and ease of access. It should provide a user with the ability to execute functions using simple steps without much guidance.
4. Free Trial
A free trial feature allows users to test software and determine if the features provided align with their requirements. Several features might only be available with the paid version, but it offers an excellent opportunity to evaluate the available functionalities before investing in the software.
5. Value for Money
A table consolidator must worth its cost. It should be reasonably priced and offer many functionalities for better data analysis and management.
Top 7 Excel Table Consolidators
Top 1: Altova MapForce
Altova MapForce is an all-in-one solution for individual users and medium to large-scale companies. It offers a drag-and-drop interface that enables users to map various input sources to respective output targets. It supports various industry-standard data formats, including XML, JSON, and CSV. Its Advanced data transformation feature allows users to merge, filter, normalize, split, and summarize data according to specific requirements. Its visualization features and debugging functions also help users check data integrity.
Pros:
- User-friendly interface
- Offers drag-and-drop interface
- Advanced transformation features
- Excellent customer support
- Automation
Cons:
- Expensive
- Can be slow when mapping large datasets
- Complex user interface
- Not suitable for basic data consolidation needs
Top 2: Spreadsheet International’s Power Merge
Spreadsheet International’s Power Merge is a best-in-class Excel table consolidator designed for medium to large-scale businesses. Power Merge helps to eliminate laborious data consolidation tasks by allowing you to connect multiple Excel files with varying structures and consolidate them. You can choose columns and rows from separate sheets to combine sourced data into a new Excel sheet. Advanced filtering and session management functions also provide users with quick access to essential data.
Pros:
- User-friendly interface
- Advanced filtering function and session management
- Editable script with previewing and customization option
- Smart summarizing and calculation options
- Offers a free 30-day trial
Cons:
- The cost is a bit expensive
- Basic UI design might not suit everyone’s preferences
- Some of the functionalities are not as advanced as competitors.
Top 3: Ablebits
Ablebits is an intuitive Excel table consolidator suitable for individual users and businesses that require data consolidation on a regular basis. Its merge table feature allows you to join Excel tables without worrying about specific column positions. It supports various merge methods, including inner, left, and right, based on user-defined keys. It is equipped with powerful filtering options to allow you to select your desired rows and columns.
Pros:
- User-friendly interface
- Supports various merge methods
- Merge tables in any order
- Fast and efficient
- Offers a free trial
Cons:
- Some of the advanced features missing
- Some users have reported recurring document issues
- Not suitable for large datasets consolidation
- Most useful features can only be accessed through the paid version
Top 4: Kutools for Excel
Kutools for Excel is an all-in-one Excel table consolidator suitable for individual users, small businesses, and large enterprises. Kutools’ View Window makes the merging process easy and helps avoid painful scrolling. It allows you to select the rows and columns you want in the resulting table by name rather than cell coordinates. The application comes with an excellent grouping function that lets you count, sum, or average multiple columns.
Pros:
- User-friendly interface
- View Windows features reduces scrolling
- Excellent grouping function that automatically counts, sums, or calculates averages
- Easily merges tables based on specific columns without worrying about formatting
- Offers free trial
Cons:
- The cost is relatively high compared to other Excel consolidators
- Advanced features only available with pro version
- Some of the UI features can be confusing
Top 5: Data Consolidator
Data Consolidator is an Excel table consolidator that effectively merges data from multiple sources. You can merge multiple tables based on column headers and key columns. Data Consolidator’s unique feature is the ability to automatically eliminate duplicate data, allowing you to consolidate and clean up your data simultaneously. The consolidated data can then be filtered and sorted based on specific criteria.
Pros:
- User-friendly interface
- Eliminates duplicate data automatically
- Offers flexibility with formulas and cell formatting
- Works well with large datasets
- Free add-in for Microsoft Excel
Cons:
- Limited features compared to industry competitors
- Some users reported crashes while using the software
- Not suitable for complex data consolidation scenarios
- Community support can be slow in response
Top 6: Excel Merge
Excel Merge is another powerful Excel table consolidator designed for businesses that rely on effective data management. Excel Merge allows you to merge and compare Excel sheets, columns, search for duplicates, and create unique lists. It offers advanced filtering and sorting options, making it easier to find, identify, and manage data. The Merge Sheets tool will allow you to merge the selected worksheets into a single sheet in one click.
Pros:
- User-friendly interface
- Offers unique Merge Sheets tools
- Provides search and replace functionality
- Supports multiple file formats (CSV, XLSX, and XLS)
- Free trial available
Cons:
- Advanced features only available with the paid version
- A bit slow while merging large datasets
- Reports of errors and crashes while using the software
- The trial version lacks complete functionality, limiting evaluation opportunities
Top 7: Excel Mixer Nano
Excel Mixer Nano is an Excel table consolidator designed to make data management easier by automating data consolidation tasks and providing easy navigation. Excel Mixer Nano can combine, compare, or update selected ranges by merging individual cells’ content from two or more worksheets. The program is easy to use with a simple yet intuitive interface, and it offers an undo feature, so you can quickly undo any accidental changes.
Pros:
- User-friendly interface
- Mix or merge large data sets easily and quickly
- Supports various file formats including XLSX, XLTX, and XLTM
- Easy to navigate and use
- Offers a free trial with all features available
Cons:
- Some advanced features are missing compared to the competitors
- Some users reported compatibility issues with Excel versions
- The price is a bit high for its limited featureset
- The free trial has a short trial period and limited functionality
Comprehensive Comparison of Each Software
We have compared the top seven Excel table consolidators and their essential functionalities in a table below.
| Altova MapForce | Spreadsheet International’s Power Merge | Ablebits | Kutools for Excel | Data Consolidator | Excel Merge | Excel Mixer Nano | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free Trial Available | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No (Microsoft App store) | Yes | Yes |
| Price | Paid | $99-One Time | $99-One Time | $49.50-Annual | Free | $28.88-Yearly | $29.95-One Time |
| Ease-of-Use | Advanced | Casual | Casual | Casual | Casual | Casual | Casual |
| Value for Money | High-end | Good | Moderate | Moderate | Free | Low | Moderate |
Our Thoughts on Excel Table Consolidators
Excel table consolidators can save a considerable amount of time and effort in managing large datasets. There are various types of software available in the market with different functionalities. It is crucial to select the right tool based on your requirements, budget, and ease-of-use. We have compared the top seven consolidators based on criteria we consider important. Based on our research, we highly recommend Altova MapForce, Spreadsheet International’s Power Merge, and Ablebits. Altova MapForce is highly advanced and suitable for complex data consolidation tasks, whereas Spreadsheet International’s Power Merge and Ablebits are ideal for individual users and small to medium-sized businesses.
FAQs
Q1: Why do I need Excel table consolidators?
A: Excel table consolidators are used to merge data from multiple sources into a single worksheet. This simplifies the data management process, especially when you have to combine a lot of data from multiple sources.
Q2: What is the key factor to consider while choosing the right Excel table consolidators?
A: The pricing of the software plays a significant role in choosing the right tool. Some software might provide exceptional features, but they are too expensive to own, and the benefits do not justify the cost.
Q3: Which Excel table consolidators do you recommend for small to medium-sized businesses?
A: We highly recommend Spreadsheet International’s Power Merge and Ablebits for small to medium-sized businesses as they provide excellent functionality at affordable prices.
Q4: Can I test out the software before purchasing?
A: Some software provides a free trial feature, which allows users to test software and determine if the features provided align with their requirements.
Q5: How user-friendly are these software?
A: Each software has its own range of user-friendliness. Some offer advanced features that might be challenging to use, while others provide a straightforward and casual level of functionality.
Final Words
Making the right choice for an Excel table consolidator is critical for any business or individual. It can save you a considerable amount of time, effort and can make your data much easier to manage. We have introduced you to the top seven Excel tables consolidator software currently available in the market. Each software has its own unique features that can benefit different types of users. We’ve also provided some FAQs and shared our thoughts to aid your decision-making process. Take the time to weigh the pros and cons of each option before making a final decision.