JuxtAPPose FREE is the perfect tool to compare files for those who work a lot with excel and even handle data from .csv and .txt file formats. While this software supports up to 3MB per file, it still packs awesome features designed by other data junkies to facilitate the hassle of comparing data, but before checking all the features available in this version, let’s first understand the different areas from the user interface.
The appearance and flow of this software was designed thinking on simplifying as much as possible to compare data, this results on having all the necessary and most regular controls that a user will need in a single window and reducing unnecessary additional screens, this also makes it very easy to revert and change different aspects of the data comparison, to achieve this, the main screen was thought on 3 main sections as follows:
Before Extracts: This area contains all the elements we need to read the files.
Before comparison: In this area we have “Custom Keys” and “Columns to ignore”, both lists can be filled before performing an extract, but it’s highly recommended to use them once the extract is completed, because selecting key columns or those to ignore is easier as the columns would come on a list to select from.
After comparison: In this area, contains metrics about the results of the comparison, all the rows and types of differences and other features to facilitate the analysis.

Now that we know what the areas are, we can dig a little deeper on the main window, one thing to keep in mind is that both FREE and Standard versions of JuxtAPPose share almost the same UI so people can be aware of the features available in the Standard version while also having the benefit of a powerful software for comparing data.

M1: In the Standard version, these drop down controls contain all the different database connections saved by the user, in the FREE version only the “file” option is available, simply click on that option to choose the file to be loaded.
M2: The button “Custom Key” will show the list of columns available in the Source A, the data in those columns will be used to identify every individual row, the same columns will be identified in the Source B by position. Learn more.
M3: Any columns listed here will be ignored during the comparison, the button “Columns to ignore” will bring a list of columns in a similar fashion as the custom keys (M2). Learn more.
M4: The steps Extract (1) and Compare (2) are conveniently separated so users can easily find the column names for keys and columns to ignore before running a comparison, the option “All” will extract and run the comparison according to all the other options defined on a single step, this is ideal if the data from any of the files changed. Learn more.
M5: When this option is checked, it will hide all columns where no differences were found except those listed in the “Custom Key”, this is idea for maximum efficiency finding differences, columns ignored will be hidden as long as those were added into the list before running the comparison. Learn more.
M6: Pair the extracted columns from source A and B as needed and get rid of those that are not needed. Learn more.
M7: Restart all controls for a fresh new comparison.
M8: Quick counts is data about data, showing how unique actually are the values for the row IDs (custom key), the number of columns and rows loaded on each source and by clicking on the labels or numbers for each of the differences found, the tool will position the result grids at the beginning of the selected result types. Learn more.
M9: Shows options to change the way the tool works. Learn more.
R1: The comparison results are shown here, when a data extraction is performed by default shows the first 100 rows, then after a successful comparison, only rows with differences will be shown here, if no differences are found then it will keep showing the first 100 results.
R2: Navigate to the next difference up/down from the selected cell. Learn more.
R3: Reposition the results and have them side to side or up and bottom. Learn more.
R4: Find values among the data results. Ideal for those insulated test cases we commonly follow. Learn more.
R5: This data about the information shown in the result grids, the information here is affected by R3 and M5.
SB: The status bar is a very important part for the user experience as it provides information about the status of the comparison and above it there is always a text message describing the current status or errors found.
DGB:
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