How to use Excel to compare two versions of a legal contract

This is an interesting approach.

If one has Excel, one often has Microsoft Word as well.

I find that it is useful to use Tools / Track Changes / Compare Documents; this would have the advantage that, even if paragraphs are added or moved, Word can usually tell and give you an annotated comparison.

So, an alternate solution, as I propose here, is that Word can be used.

-Open the document corresponding to the "newer" version
-Select Tools / Track Changes / Compare Documents
-Select the "older" document
-Word creates a new document showing the changes.

Best,

Martin

I used to use something similar all the time for quick manual validation. You may personally dislike conditional highlighting, but I found it invaluable when blowing through tens of thousands of rows. It's particularly handy when you have more than just a true/false. Righteous screencast, BTW.