Release Notes

See what’s new

Here you will find the goodies that have been keeping the team busy. The feature additions, the bug fixes, and the improvements in PerfectXL Explore, PerfectXL Risk Finder, PerfectXL Compare and the PerfectXL Highlighter. Changes are listed chronologically, the most recent ones at the top.

6 May 2025

PerfectXL Compare – Version 1.7.6

Deployment fixes for Microsoft Store build
Updated handler to open links to Excel
Updated underlying application framework
Updated underlying library for interpreting Excel files

PerfectXL Explore – Version 1.6.1

New toolbar buttons (copy, export, search) for all object tables
Improve and resolve issues with defined name values
Deployment fixes for Microsoft Store build
Updated handler to open links to Excel
Updated underlying application framework
Updated underlying library for interpreting Excel files

PerfectXL Risk Finder – Version 1.2.8

Improve and resolve issues with defined name values
Small bugfixes and improvements
Deployment fixes for Microsoft Store build
Updated handler to open links to Excel
Updated underlying application framework
Updated underlying library for interpreting Excel files

14 February 2025

PerfectXL Compare – Version 1.7.5

Fix program blocked by group policy
Updated handler to open links to Excel
Updated underlying library for interpreting Excel files

PerfectXL Explore – Version 1.6.0

Full support of queries & connections
Improved detection of external sources
Add input/output column to list of worksheets
Add cell count column to list of conditional formats / data validations
Fix invalid colors in cell count mode of visualization
Fix program blocked by group policy
Updated handler to open links to Excel
Updated underlying library for parsing Excel formulas
Updated underlying library for interpreting Excel files

PerfectXL Risk Finder – Version 1.2.7

Exclude false positives based on freeze pane in Longer Cell Reference Expected
Link to number formatting in Invisible Cell Value
Fix formula highlights in Many Nested Functions
Fix false positive in Current Sheet Reference
Fix program blocked by group policy
Updated underlying library for parsing Excel formulas
Updated underlying library for interpreting Excel files

PerfectXL Add-in – Version 2.0.1

Added error handling to the different tool commands
Fix issue with single references in Formulas & Data highlighter
Improve ‘search in values’ of Custom Search highlighter
Fix issue with external workbooks in References highlighter
Add submenu item to Queries & Connections in Explore tool

10 January 2025

PerfectXL Compare – Version 1.7.4

Fix: old and new version flipped with drag-and-drop
Updated handler to open links to Excel
Updated underlying application framework
Updated underlying library for interpreting Excel files

PerfectXL Explore – Version 1.5.4

Fix: issue with large picture
Suppress errors when trying to render charts
Updated handler to open links to Excel
Updated underlying application framework
Updated underlying library for parsing Excel formulas
Updated underlying library for interpreting Excel files

PerfectXL Risk Finder – Version 1.2.6

More details about large parts of spreadsheet in inspection Large File Size
Fix exception in specific situation where table reference refers to current row
Updated handler to open links to Excel
Updated underlying application framework
Updated underlying library for parsing Excel formulas
Updated underlying library for interpreting Excel files

3 December 2024

PerfectXL Risk Finder – Version 1.2.5

Resolve issues with Circular Reference
Exclude extra function argument in Hardcoded Number in Formula

4 November 2024

PerfectXL Risk Finder – Version 1.2.4

Detect #REF! errors in formulas not evaluating to error value
Detect circular reference in multi-sheet reference
Show inspection category in library
Fix false positive in Old Spreadsheet inspection
Fix exception related to merged cell references
Fix exception related to table specifier in defined name
Fix issue in Excel links related to other Excel add-ins

2 September 2024

PerfectXL Compare – Version 1.7.3

Improvements in the algorithm to detect structure changes
Updated method to detect worksheet order changes
Fix: accept files with capitalized extensions
Fix: incorrect cell links in specific case
Fix: visual bug in tooltip of transformation indication
Enable trimming and fix issues with automatic license activation
Updated underlying library for interpreting Excel files

PerfectXL Explore – Version 1.5.3

Fix: accept files with capitalized extensions
Enable trimming and fix issues with automatic license activation
Updated underlying library for interpreting Excel files

PerfectXL Risk Finder – Version 1.2.3

New inspection: Defined Name Conflict
New inspection: Reference to Merged Cell
Fix: false positive Excel Error triggered on formulas with IMAGE function
Fix: accept files with capitalized extensions
Enable trimming and fix issues with automatic license activation
Updated underlying library for interpreting Excel files

24 May 2024

PerfectXL Compare – Version 1.7.2

(Temporarily) disable trimming to fix automatic license activation

PerfectXL Explore – Version 1.5.2

Fix centering of visualization
(Temporarily) disable trimming to fix automatic license activation

PerfectXL Risk Finder – Version 1.2.2

New inspection: External References Updated Without Warning
New inspection: External References Never Updated
New inspection: Multiple Sheet References
(Temporarily) disable trimming to fix automatic license activation
Textual updates

10 May 2024

PerfectXL Compare – Version 1.7.1

Improved support for OneDrive files via protocol links

PerfectXL Explore – Version 1.5.1

Improved support for OneDrive files via protocol links

PerfectXL Risk Finder – Version 1.2.1

Improved support for OneDrive files via protocol links

25 April 2024

PerfectXL Add-in – Version 2.0.0

This is the official release of the new PerfectXL Add-in, the successor of PerfectXL Highlighter. It is a brand-new ribbon with the following sections:

Explore Tool: visualize model & quick links to PerfectXL Explore
Risk Finder Tool: analyze model & quick links to PerfectXL Risk Finder
Compare Tool: compare workbook & quick links to PerfectXL Compare
Highlighter Pane: open highlighter & highlight cells directly
PerfectXL Help: learning center & add-in info

22 April 2024

PerfectXL Compare – Version 1.7.0

Small improvements in VBA analysis
Updates in protocol to launch tool via protocol links
Small bugfixes and improvements
Upgraded back-end

PerfectXL Explore – Version 1.5.0

New visualization mode: tab colors
Small improvements in VBA analysis
Updates in protocol to launch tool via protocol links
Small bugfixes and improvements
Upgraded back-end

PerfectXL Risk Finder – Version 1.2.0

VBA analysis: added 5 VBA inspections
Updates in protocol to launch tool via protocol links
Updated principles in library (also links to ICAEW principles)
Minor changes to PDF report and front-end
Small bugfixes and improvements
Upgraded back-end

21 December 2023

PerfectXL Risk Finder – Version 1.1.5

Ability to create PDF reports with all issues, notes and assigned statuses

21 November 2023

PerfectXL Highlighter – Version 1.0.3

Fixes a graphical glitch when resizing the panel
Fixes typo

16 November 2023

PerfectXL Compare – Version 1.6.3

Fix links to Excel files on OneDrive
Wait longer before concluding that the ‘Analysis engine is not available’

PerfectXL Explore – Version 1.4.4

Fix links to Excel files on OneDrive
Wait longer before concluding that the ‘Analysis engine is not available’

PerfectXL Risk Finder – Version 1.1.4

Ability to import notes and statuses from Risk Finder exports
Fix links to Excel files on OneDrive
Wait longer before concluding that the ‘Analysis engine is not available’

5 October 2023

PerfectXL Compare – Version 1.6.2

Complete new frontend (look and feel)
Update Excel export
Several bugfixes
Various improvements for a narrow window
Fixes in handler to open links to Excel
Fix: incorrect links for cell changes due to structure changes
Ability to execute tool via protocol and application arguments

PerfectXL Explore – Version 1.4.3

Complete new frontend (look and feel)
New Back button (Navigation)
Improve performance of VBA analysis
VBA analysis: detect references to worksheets and defined names
Update Excel export
Several bugfixes
Various improvements for a narrow window
Fixes in handler to open links to Excel
Ability to execute tool via protocol and application arguments
Code signing with extended validation (EV)

PerfectXL Risk Finder – Version 1.1.3

Back button introduced (Navigation)
Update Excel export
Minor improvements in inspections and library
Several general bug fixes
Front-end improvements & update
Ability to execute tool via protocol
Refactorings related to new frontend infrastructure
Fixes in handler to open links to Excel
Code signing with extended validation (EV)
Update back-end dependencies
Various improvements for a narrow window

PerfectXL Highlighter – Version 1.0.3

Fixes a graphical glitch when resizing the panel
Fixes typo

3 July 2023

PerfectXL Compare – Version 1.5.0

Added new functionality: Excel integration
Updated underlying library for interpreting Excel files
Improved support for LAMBDA-functions
Link added to “Help” in menu to access release notes

PerfectXL Explore – Version 1.3.1

Now supports multiple cell ranges for conditional format rules and data validation rules
Improved support for LAMBDA-functions
Updated underlying library for interpreting Excel files
Link added to “Help” in menu to access release notes

PerfectXL Risk Finder – Version 1.0.1

Library now includes references to spreadsheet quality standards (FAST, ICAEW, …) and related principles
Now supports multiple cell ranges for conditional format rules and data validation rules
Improved support for LAMBDA-functions
Updated underlying library for interpreting Excel files
Link added to “Help” in menu to access release notes

6 June 2023

PerfectXL Explore – Version 1.3.0

Export analysis result to Excel
Export visualization to PDF, PNG and SVG

28 April 2023

PerfectXL Risk Finder – Version 1.0.0

This is the first public release of the Risk Finder.

24 April 2023

PerfectXL Risk Finder – Version 0.9.1

Performance improvement of formula analysis
Performance improvement of analyzing Unused Defined Names
Performance improvement of Longer Cell Reference Expected
Ability to create Microsoft Store package (for official release)
Back-end fixes
Front-end fixes

14 April 2023

PerfectXL Risk Finder – Version 0.9.0

Major rewrite of the front-end code
New design (major changes to look and feel of the tool)
Upgrade of the underlying functionality for front-end elements
Added the ability to save results in the tool and continue in another session
New inspection: Invisible Cell Value
New inspection: Unnecessary Space
New inspection: Hidden Defined Names
New inspection: Unused Defined Names
Other small fixes and improvements

3 April 2023

PerfectXL Compare – Version 1.4.5

Fixed certain incorrect file paths for external links

PerfectXL Explore – Version 1.2.5

Fixed certain incorrect file paths for external links

PerfectXL Risk Finder – Version 0.8.4

Changed the way the tool detects headers and footers in Excel
More accurate clustering (grouping) of formulas
Fixed certain incorrect file paths for external links
Small bugfixes
Improved the logic of 7 inspections:
- Double Count Inspection
- Excel Error Inspection
- Hardcoded Number in Formula Inspection
- Numeric Text Calculation Inspection
- Double Operator Inpspection
- Longer Cell Reference Expected Inspection
- Many Nested Functions Inspection

6 March 2023

PerfectXL Compare – Version 1.4.4

The tool can now read Excel files even when in use by OneDrive
Much more detailed error logging to improve the ability to provide support
Fixed a bug where certain insertions were read as deletions.
Small bugfixes

PerfectXL Explore – Version 1.2.4

The tool can now read Excel files even when in use by OneDrive
Much more detailed error logging to improve the ability to provide support
Small bugfixes

PerfectXL Risk Finder – Version 0.8.3

New inspection: Unprotected Formula
Improved logic of 3 inspections: Excel Error, Deprecated Function, and Reference to Empty Cell
The tool can now read Excel files even when in use by OneDrive
Much more detailed error logging to improve the ability to provide support
Small bugfixes

6 February 2023

PerfectXL Compare – Version 1.4.3

The tool is now able to analyze .xltx files (Excel Templates)

PerfectXL Explore – Version 1.2.3

The tool is now able to analyze .xltx files (Excel Templates)

PerfectXL Risk Finder – Version 0.8.2

The tool is now able to analyze .xltx files (Excel Templates)
Refactored the reference model, formula parts, and formula highlights
Code formatting for both back-end and front-end code

19 December 2022

PerfectXL Risk Finder – Version 0.8.1

Exclude false positives in Numeric Text Calculation
Small text improvements
Small bugfixes

18 December 2022

PerfectXL Compare – Version 1.4.2

Preload analysis engine for faster initial analysis
Update of underlying technology for evaluating cells

PerfectXL Explore – Version 1.2.2

Small bugfixes
Preload analysis engine for faster initial analysis
Links to Excel now work when Excel window is snapped to half the screen
Update of underlying technology for parsing formulas and evaluating cells

14 December 2022

PerfectXL Risk Finder – Version 0.8.0

This release is the the first public beta version of the Risk Finder.

24 May 2022

PerfectXL Compare – Version 1.4.1

Update of underlying technology for evaluating cells
Increased timeout to 30 minutes.

PerfectXL Explore – Version 1.2.1

Excel integration. Open Excel from the visualization/tables/popups. Go directly to: charts, conditional formats, data validations, defined names, external links, formulas, pictures, pivot tables, VBA modules and worksheets.
Update of underlying technology for parsing formulas and evaluating cells
Increased timeout to 30 minutes

4 March 2022

PerfectXL Compare – Version 1.4.0

The tool can now also analyze and display VBA code changes.

24 January 2022

PerfectXL Compare – Version 1.3.1

Upgrade of underlying Excel libraries
Fixed a bug in which an error report stated that the analysis engine was not available.