Excel Comparison (Beta feature)

Understanding Excel Comparison in SimpleRFQ

Unlike advanced RFQs that automatically generate comparison tables, SimpleRFQ provides more flexibility by allowing buyers to define their own Excel bid sheet structure.

When suppliers submit their completed Excel files:

• Axya stores all supplier files in the RFQ.

• You can download all supplier submissions as a ZIP file if needed.

• You can also create a custom comparison view directly inside Axya to extract and compare selected data fields from those Excel files.

This feature is particularly useful when using custom bid sheets with formulas, pricing tables, or structured data.

Step 1: Provide an Excel Bid Sheet to Suppliers

When creating a SimpleRFQ, you may include an Excel template that suppliers must complete.

Example structure of the bid sheet:

• Product description column

• Multiple price columns

• Lead time columns

• Additional supplier inputs

Suppliers then upload the completed Excel file when submitting their quote.

Step 2: Access the Excel Comparison Tab

Once supplier responses are received:

1. Open the SimpleRFQ

2. Navigate to the Excel Comparison tab

3. Click Create Comparison View

If multiple Excel files were provided in the RFQ, you can select the one you want to use.

Axya will display the spreadsheet as raw data, without formatting.

Step 3: Define Comparison Fields

To compare supplier responses, you must specify:

• Column to analyze

• Row range

• Field name

Example: Comparing Prices

If price values are located in column C from row 7 to row 19:

1. Select Column C

2. Enter Row range: 7 to 19

3. Name the field (example: Price)

4. Click Add

Repeat the process for additional price columns.

These fields will be used to compare supplier values.

Step 4: Define Row Labels

To make the comparison table readable, you must define row labels.

For example, if the product description is located in a column:

1. Select the column containing the description

2. Define the same row range (7–19)

3. Select Pin as Label

This ensures each row in the comparison table corresponds to the correct item.

Step 5: Save the Comparison View

After defining fields and labels:

1. Give the comparison view a name (example: Price Comparison)

2. Click Save

Axya will automatically:

• Extract values from all supplier Excel submissions

• Combine them into one comparison table

• Highlight the lowest value for numerical fields

You can now easily compare supplier quotes.

Step 6: Filter or Export Results

Once the comparison view is created, you can:

• Filter results by supplier

• Display only selected columns

• Export the raw comparison data

This export contains the extracted values but does not preserve formatting.

Creating Additional Comparison Views

You can create multiple comparison views from the same Excel file.

Example comparisons:

• Price comparison

• Lead time comparison

• MOQ comparison

• Tooling cost comparison

Once saved, Axya generates a new comparison table using those fields.

Best Practices for Designing Bid Sheets

To simplify comparison creation, structure your Excel template carefully.

Recommended practices:

Avoid merged cells
Merged cells are difficult to select during comparison setup.

Remove unnecessary blank rows

Keep product information on the same row as pricing

Use consistent column layouts

A well-structured Excel template will make comparison configuration much faster.

Key Benefits of Excel Comparison in SimpleRFQ

Using Excel comparison provides several advantages:

• Supports fully customizable bid sheets

• Allows manual extraction of specific data

• Automatically highlights best numerical values

• Enables quick supplier comparison

All comparison views are saved within the RFQ, so they remain available whenever the RFQ is reopened.

If you have any additional question please contact us at customerservice@axya.co