How many Excel files can I merge in one call?

There is no enforced limit. Add as many items to the Files array as needed: the module processes them all in a single API call.

What happens when two source files have a worksheet with the same name?

Duplicate worksheet names are automatically renamed with numeric suffixes: Summary becomes Summary_1, Summary_2, and so on. No pre-renaming of source files is needed.

Does the merged output preserve formulas from source files?

Yes. Formulas and formatting are preserved when outputting to XLSX or XLS. If you need static values only, run the output through a subsequent Excel processing step before distribution.

Merge Excel Files in Make

Q: Can I include only specific worksheets from each file?

Yes. List the exact worksheet names in the Worksheets To Merge field for each Files array item. Leave it empty to include all sheets from that file.

Q: When should I choose PDF or CSV output?

Choose PDF for compliance archiving: the merged workbook cannot be edited and preserves its visual layout. Choose CSV when the data needs to go directly into a database or system that reads plain text: note that CSV only exports the first worksheet.

Merge Excel Files is an automated operation that combines multiple Excel workbooks into a single consolidated file by joining their worksheets in a controlled order, preserving formulas, formatting, and data from all source files. PDF4me handles duplicate sheet name resolution automatically and supports XLSX, XLS, PDF, and CSV output in a single Make module call. For reference, see Excel supported file formats on Microsoft Learn and the Open XML SDK documentation.

What this module does

PDF4me Excel, Merge Files automatically combines multiple Excel workbooks into a single consolidated file in your Make scenario, without Power Query, without VBA, and without manual copy-pasting. Add each source file to the Files array, assign a Sort Position to control the tab order in the output workbook, choose which worksheets to include from each file, and select an output format. Duplicate worksheet names are resolved automatically. The merged workbook comes back ready to upload, email, or pass to any downstream module.

Authenticating Your API Request

Every PDF4me module in Make requires a valid Connection. Create or select one that holds your PDF4me API key so the scenario can authenticate workbook merging requests securely.

Get your API Key

Important Facts You Should Not Miss

Sort Position controls tab order in the output

Files are merged in ascending Sort Position order, the file with the lowest number goes first. Assign 1 to January, 2 to February, 3 to March, or 1 to North, 2 to South, to get a consistent, predictable worksheet sequence in the output workbook every time the scenario runs.

Worksheets To Merge limits which tabs are included

For each file in the array, you can list specific worksheet names to pull in. Leave the field empty to include every sheet from that file. Selecting only the tabs you need, for example "Summary" and "Data", significantly reduces output file size when the source workbooks contain raw or intermediate calculation sheets.

Duplicate sheet names are resolved automatically

When two source workbooks both contain a worksheet named "Summary", the module renames the second occurrence to Summary_1, the third to Summary_2, and so on. You never need to pre-rename tabs in your source files before running the merge.

Make PDF4me Excel Merge Files module showing Output File Name, OutputFormat set to XLSX, and a Files array item with File Name, File content, Sort Position, and Worksheets To Merge fields — Output File Name and OutputFormat are set at the top. Each item in the Files array supplies one source workbook with its Sort Position and optional worksheet filter.

Parameters

Required: Connection, Output File Name, OutputFormat, and at least one item in the Files array with File Name and File content must be provided for the module to run.

Parameter	Required	What it does	Example
Connection	Yes	PDF4me API connection. Click Add and paste your API key if connecting for the first time.	`Your PDF4me connection`
Output File Name	Yes	Name for the merged output file without any extension. The correct extension is added automatically based on the OutputFormat you select.	`Q1_Consolidated`
OutputFormat	Yes	Format for the merged output. XLSX works with all modern Excel versions. XLS supports legacy systems. PDF creates a read-only archive. CSV exports the first worksheet only as plain comma-separated text.	`XLSX`
Files: File Name	Yes	Original filename including extension for each source workbook item in the Files array.	`january_sales.xlsx`
Files: File	Yes	Base64-encoded content of the source Excel file. Map from a Google Drive, Dropbox, or SharePoint download module, or from an HTTP request that returns the file.	`Base64-encoded file content`
Files: Sort Position	No	Merge order for this file: lower numbers are placed first in the output. Assign 1 to January, 2 to February, and so on.	`1`
Files: Worksheets To Merge	No	List of specific worksheet names to include from this file. Leave empty to include all sheets. Naming specific tabs reduces output file size.	`Summary, Data`

Output

Field	Type	What it contains
document	`String (Base64)`	The merged workbook encoded in Base64. Decode and pipe into a Google Drive upload, SharePoint save, email attachment, or any downstream module that accepts a file buffer.

How to Merge Excel Files in Make

Add PDF4me Excel → Merge Files to your Make scenario.
Select Connection (or click Add to create one with your API key).
Enter the Output File Name (without extension) and choose OutputFormat.
Click Add item under Files. For each source workbook, map the File Name and File content from a prior download module, set Sort Position, and optionally list Worksheets To Merge.
Click Save and run. The document output contains the merged workbook in Base64: pipe it into an upload module to save to Google Drive, Dropbox, or SharePoint.

When Should I Use Merge Excel Files?

When Should I Use Merge Excel Files?Common Make scenario patterns using Merge Excel Files.

Monthly department report consolidation

A scheduled trigger runs on the 1st of every month at 8 AM.
Google Drive downloads each department's monthly Excel report. Each file is mapped as an item in the Files array with Sort Position 1-10 for consistent department order.
Merge Files combines all reports into one consolidated workbook with department names as worksheet tabs.
The merged XLSX is uploaded to the executive Google Drive folder and emailed to leadership.

Quarterly archive as a read-only PDF

A scheduled trigger fires on the first day after quarter end.
SharePoint downloads January, February, and March Excel files. Sort Positions 1, 2, and 3 enforce chronological tab order.
Merge Files runs with OutputFormat set to PDF, the merged workbook is archived as an uneditable quarterly snapshot.
The PDF is saved to compliance storage and an entry is logged in the compliance index sheet.

Regional sales rollup with selective sheets

A weekly trigger retrieves regional sales reports from Dropbox, five files for five regions.
Each file item sets Worksheets To Merge to "Summary" and "Data" only, raw calculation tabs are excluded, keeping the output compact.
Sort Position assigns a consistent regional order (North=1, South=2, East=3, West=4, Central=5).
The consolidated XLSX is emailed to the sales VP every Monday morning.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Excel files can I merge in a single module call?+

There is no enforced limit on the number of items in the Files array. Add one item per source workbook and assign each a Sort Position. The module processes all of them in a single API call, making it practical for consolidating 10, 20, or more monthly or regional reports in one scenario run.

What happens when two source workbooks have a worksheet with the same name?+

Duplicate worksheet names are resolved automatically. The module appends a numeric suffix to later occurrences: so if two workbooks both have a "Summary" tab, the second becomes "Summary_1", the third "Summary_2", and so on. You never need to pre-rename tabs in your source files.

Can I include only specific worksheets from each file?+

Yes. In each Files array item, list the exact worksheet names you want in the Worksheets To Merge field. Leave the field empty to include every sheet from that file. Selecting only the sheets you need: for example "Summary" and "Data" : significantly reduces the output file size when source workbooks contain raw or intermediate calculation tabs.

When should I choose PDF or CSV output instead of XLSX?+

Choose PDF when the merged workbook is for distribution or compliance archiving: it preserves the visual layout and cannot be accidentally edited. Choose CSV when the consolidated data needs to go directly into a database or another system that reads plain text. Note that CSV output contains only the first worksheet of the merged result.

Does the merged output preserve formulas and formatting from the source files?+

Yes. Worksheet content and cell formatting from each source file are preserved in the output. Formulas are included as-is when outputting to XLSX or XLS. If you need the merged file to contain only static values for a clean data handoff, consider passing the output through a subsequent Excel processing module before distribution.

Merge Rows in Excel

Consolidate duplicate rows within a single workbook by grouping on key columns, deduplication at the row level.

Parse CSV

Convert a CSV file into a structured Excel workbook, useful when source data arrives as CSV before merging.

Unlock Excel

Remove password protection from Excel files before merging, useful when source workbooks are password-protected.