Products > PerfectXL Source Inspector

PerfectXL
Source Inspector

Know where your data comes from.

Want to understand the ins and outs of your Excel models? Source Inspector reveals every internal and external source behind your selected cell or range, all in one clear overview. Explore how data flows through your workbook and verify that your links and inputs are consistent.

  • Separate internal and external sources for full transparency
  • Visual data flow maps showing how values connect
  • Step-by-step trace of all inputs feeding a selected cell

It’s time to stop manually chasing your data sources.

Do you know what’s feeding your model?

We’ve all chased values across dozens of sheets only to lose track of where the number originally came from.
With PerfectXL Source Inspector, you can instantly trace any cell back to all its sources, whether they’re in the same workbook or linked from external files. See every step clearly visualized so you always know exactly where your data starts.

Complex workbooks often combine inputs from many sheets or even other Excel files. Source Inspector automatically maps these relationships and separates internal and external connections, giving you a transparent view of how data flows between sheets, tables, and workbooks.

Need to know which other files your model depends on? The tool lists every external link and connection, showing exactly which file, sheet, and range each value comes from. Quickly verify data sources and spot missing or outdated references before they cause errors.

Broken links and outdated references can quietly corrupt results. Source Inspector helps you identify them immediately,  showing which formulas point to missing files or outdated data connections. This makes fixing data integrity issues faster and far more reliable.

When working with shared or inherited models, it’s hard to tell if all inputs are correct or consistent. Use the visual dependency map to confirm that each value comes from the right place and that no unexpected sources feed into your calculations.

Sometimes, two ranges look identical but aren’t,  perhaps one pulls live data and another is hard-coded. Source Inspector lets you quickly compare data sources and highlight differences in how each range is populated, so you can detect weak spots or inconsistencies at a glance.

Need to prove where your results come from? Export your full source analysis into a structured Excel report. The report lists all internal and external sources, including their locations, values, and formulas, perfect for audits, version tracking, and quality control.

Explaining a model’s data flow can be tricky. With Source Inspector’s visual dependency map and source overview, you can easily show colleagues or auditors how each value is built up, from raw data to final result, making complex workbooks clear and understandable for everyone.

PerfectXL Source Inspector

Understand Excel Sources Instantly

  • Explore all data origins behind any selected cell or range
  • Visualize data flows across worksheets and linked files
  • Check internal and external dependencies  in one clear view
  • Export a complete source report for audit documentation

Feature Overview

See every source

Inspect values directly

Understand relationships

Dive into path details

Compare multiple sources

Export clear documentation

Simple workflow, sophisticated results

Trace

Quickly uncover every data source behind any cell or range, internal or external. See how information flows through your file in one overview.

  • Usually ready in <10 seconds
  • Supports .xlsx, .xlsm, .xls, etc.
  • Step-by-step data path

Verify

Confirm that your workbook pulls the right data from the right places. Detect outdates, missing, or incorrect links before they affect your results.

  • Spot broken references
  • Check worksheet consistency
  • Ensure inputs = expectations

Document

Create clear, shareable insight into your model’s structure. Perfect for audits, reviews, or collaboration across teams.

  • Export full reports to Excel
  • Record all sources and values
  • Showcase dependencies clearly

How to get PerfectXL Source Inspector

1. Get in touch

Request a trial or book a demo to experience what the PerfectXL Source Inspector can do for your organization.

2. Decide

Decide between the PerfectXL Source Inspector or the full PerfectXL Suite. Pricing options are provided on request.

3. Roll-out

From local installations to extensive deployments through your IT department, we’ll ensure an easy roll-out.

More from PerfectXL

More from PerfectXL :: PerfectXL Risk Finder

PerfectXL Risk Finder

The fastest way to find mistakes & identify risks in spreadsheets.

More from PerfectXL :: PerfectXL Explore

PerfectXL Explore

Visualize and understand (unfamiliar) Excel models quickly and easily.

More from PerfectXL :: PerfectXL Explore

PerfectXL Compare

Spreadsheet comparison: version management for Excel made easy.

More from PerfectXL :: PerfectXL Highlighter

PerfectXL Highlighter

Gain insight and spot inconsistencies at a glance.