Excel and Word instead of audit software?
Many audit teams work with spreadsheets and documents, and that often works well for a long time. This page sets out when it is enough and where it costs time and traceability.
In short
For a few audits a year, one person and no outside demands for evidence, Excel and Word are enough. The limits show in versions, follow-up, approvals and proof of who changed what and when.
ProAuditMap does not have to replace Excel and Word. Existing audit programs can be imported, and the results leave again as Excel and Word.
At a glance
| Criterion | Excel and Word | ProAuditMap |
|---|---|---|
| Getting started | Immediately, usually without an extra licence | Create an account, book a plan |
| Versions | File copies and file names, the current state is with the users | Every change is a version with author, time and reason |
| Evidence against later change | Depends on storage and permissions | Log as a hash chain, verification script for the archive export |
| Review and approval | Comments and tracked changes in the file | Review by a second person and approval as a separate step |
| Findings, measures, deadlines | Own lists, reminders by hand | Assignment, due dates and reminders in the application |
| Cost | No extra licence, but working time | Plan as on the pricing page |
When Excel and Word are enough
You carry out few audits a year, usually alone, and the documents stay in house. Your templates are maintained, and nobody asks for proof of who changed what and when. Then additional software is mainly a cost. Do the sums: with two audits a year, a plan may save less than it costs. Prices are on the pricing page.
Where it gets tight
When several auditors work on one audit, file versions arise that can no longer be assigned clearly. Reviews sit as comments in the file, with no proof of who closed them and when. Findings and measures are spread over several lists, and someone follows deadlines by hand.
If you must evidence your work to third parties, for instance in a quality assessment, it matters that versions and changes can be proven. The coverage page shows which requirements of the audit standards ProAuditMap supports, expressly without certification.
Bringing existing files across
ProAuditMap imports audit programs from Excel and Word, up to 120 audit lines per audit, with column mapping and a preview before they are accepted. The export stays: audit matrix as Excel, documents as Word, optionally in your organisation’s layout from your own Word template. If you keep individual evaluations in Excel, you can carry on doing so.
What a finished package looks like is shown on the product page.
Who suits what
-
Excel and Word are enough if
you audit rarely, work alone, have no outside demands for evidence and your templates already work well.
-
Audit software pays off if
several people work on one audit, you must evidence versions and approvals, or the preparation of every audit starts from zero again.
Notes
As of October 2026
- ProAuditMap’s own assessment. This comparison contains no statements about other vendors.
Excel and Word are trademarks of their owner; ProAuditMap has no connection with the vendor. Prices are on the pricing page.
Is a statement out of date or incomplete? Write to us via the contact page. We will check it and correct it if it is wrong.