Merge Excel Files in Make
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.
Important Facts You Should Not Miss
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.
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.
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.
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 |
Quick Setup
- 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.
Workflow Examples
Workflow ExamplesCommon Make scenario patterns using Merge Excel Files.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.