Combine Multiple Excel Files into One Workbook with Separate Sheets (4 Ways)

Often, we have to deal with multiple Excel files, which is inconvenient. Things get easier if we can combine those Excel files into a single workbook. In this article, we’ll show you the effective ways to Combine Multiple Excel Files into One Workbook with Separate Sheets.


Dataset Introduction

To illustrate, I’m going to use a sample dataset as an example. For instance, the following figure represents three different Excel Files and each of them has a different Sheet.

Combine Multiple Excel Files into One Workbook with Separate Sheets


Combine Multiple Excel Files into One Workbook with Separate Sheets: 4 Ways

1. Apply Move or Copy Operation to Combine Multiple Excel Files into One Workbook with Separate Sheets

Excel provides many different Features and we use them to perform various operations. One of such kinds is the Move or Copy. In our first method, we’ll use this feature to Combine Multiple Excel Files into One Workbook with Separate Sheets. Therefore, follow the steps below to perform the task.

STEPS:

  • First, open the second Excel file (Combine Excel files 2).
  • Next, select the sheet (Sheet2) and right-click on the mouse.
  • Then, click Move or Copy.

Apply Move or Copy Operation to Combine Multiple Excel Files into One Workbook with Separate Sheets

  • As a result, the Move or Copy dialog box will pop out.
  • There, select Combine Excel files.xlsx from To book options and select (move to end) in the field Before sheet.
  • After that, press OK.

Apply Move or Copy Operation to Combine Multiple Excel Files into One Workbook with Separate Sheets

  • Again, open the third Excel file (Combine Excel files 3).
  • Select sheet (Sheet3) and right-click on the mouse.
  • Subsequently, select Move or Copy.

Apply Move or Copy Operation to Combine Multiple Excel Files into One Workbook with Separate Sheets

  • Then, in the To book field, select Combine Excel files.xlsx, and in the Before sheet, select (move to end).
  • Press OK.

  • Finally, you’ll see the combined Excel files in a single workbook but separate sheets.


2. Combine Multiple Excel Files Into One Workbook with Paste Link Feature

Excel offers multiple pasting options in the worksheet. Paste Link is one of them. We use this feature to link different worksheets from a single workbook or different workbooks. Here, we’ll use this feature in this method. So, learn the steps below to learn how to Combine Multiple Files into One Workbook.

STEPS:

  • Firstly, copy cell B2 from Sheet2 in the Combine Excel files 2.

Combine Multiple Excel Files into One Workbook with Paste Link Feature

  • Then, go to the destination workbook. In this example, the destination is Combine Excel files.
  • Here, select cell B2 or any other cell you want.
  • After that, select Paste Link from the Paste Options.

Combine Multiple Excel Files into One Workbook with Paste Link Feature

  • As a result, it’ll create a formula by itself like it’s shown in the below image.

Combine Multiple Excel Files into One Workbook with Paste Link Feature

  • Next, remove all the ‘$’ signs present in the formula and use the AutoFill tool to complete the series.
  • Consequently, it’ll return the source worksheet just like the way it’s shown in the following picture.

  • Now, repeat the steps for the third Excel file.
  • Lastly, you’ll get your desired single workbook with separate sheets.


3. Use Power Query to Combine Multiple Files into One Workbook with Separate Sheets

Excel Power Query Editor is helpful in many cases. We can merge multiple Excel files into one file using this feature. Hence, follow the below process to combine the files.

STEPS:

  • In the beginning, open the first workbook (Combine Excel files).
  • Then, go to Data ➤ Get Data ➤ From File ➤ From Workbook.

Use Power Query to Combine Multiple Files into One Workbook with Separate Sheets

  • As a result, the Import Data window will pop out. Here, select Combine Excel files 2 and press Import.

Use Power Query to Combine Multiple Files into One Workbook with Separate Sheets

  • After that, the Navigator window will pop out. There, press Load.

  • Consequently, it’ll add Sheet2 from the second workbook as a Table.

  • Again repeat the process to get Sheet3 from the third workbook.
  • In the end, you’ll get all the sheets from different Excel files in your chosen workbook.


4. Excel VBA to Combine Multiple Files into One Workbook with Separate Sheets

If you don’t want to go through all the details mentioned in the previous methods, you can use a single VBA Code to merge all the Excel files you want. We’ll use Excel VBA in our last method to combine multiple Excel files into a single workbook with separate sheets. Therefore, learn the process given below to carry out the task.

STEPS:

  • Firstly, open the destination workbook. Here, it’s Combine Excel files.
  • Next, select Visual Basic from the Developer tab.

Excel VBA to Combine Multiple Files into One Workbook with Separate Sheets

  • Then, select Module in the Insert tab.

Excel VBA to Combine Multiple Files into One Workbook with Separate Sheets

  • As a result, the Module window will pop out.
  • There, insert the code given below.
Sub CombineFiles()
Dim FilesSelected, i As Integer
Dim tempFile As FileDialog
Dim MainBook, sourceBook As Workbook
Dim Sheet As Worksheet
Set MainBook = Application.ActiveWorkbook
Set tempFile = Application.FileDialog(msoFileDialogFilePicker)
tempFile.AllowMultiSelect = True
FilesSelected = tempFile.Show
For i = 1 To tempFile.SelectedItems.Count
Workbooks.Open tempFile.SelectedItems(i)
Set sourceBook = ActiveWorkbook
For Each Sheet In sourceBook.Worksheets
    Sheet.Copy after:=MainBook.Sheets(MainBook.Worksheets.Count)
Next Sheet
    sourceBook.Close
Next i
End Sub

Excel VBA to Combine Multiple Files into One Workbook with Separate Sheets

  • After that, close the Visual Basic window.
  • Now, under the Developer tab, select Macros.

Excel VBA to Combine Multiple Files into One Workbook with Separate Sheets

  • Consequently, the Macro dialog box will pop out, and select CombineFiles in the Macro name.
  • Press Run.

  • As a result, a Browse window will pop out. There, select the files you want to combine and press OK.

  • Eventually, you’ll get all your desired workbooks in a single Excel file with separate sheets.


Download Practice Workbook

To practice by yourself, download the following workbook.


Conclusion

Henceforth, you will be able to Combine Multiple Excel Files into One Workbook with Separate Sheets using the above-described methods. Keep using them and let us know if you have any more ways to do the task. Don’t forget to drop comments, suggestions, or queries if you have any in the comment section below.


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Aung Shine
Aung Shine

Aung Shine completed his bachelor’s in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology. It has been almost 2 years since he joined SOFTEKO and actively working on the ExcelDemy project. Currently he works as a Team Leader where he guides his team members to create technical content. He has published 150+ articles and reviewed 50+ articles. He has also solved various user problems before. He has interests in Data Analysis, Power Query, Advanced Excel,... Read Full Bio

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