How do you compare prices for different pack sizes?
Filter to one specification, divide pack price by quantity, and sort by unit price. A cheaper pack can have a higher cost per item.
Which is cheaper: a pack of 10 for 40 or a pack of 25 for 75? For equivalent items, the unit prices are 4 and 3. JOIN SHEET can add that comparison while preserving each supplier's original pack quotation.
Compare the same specification using numeric pack sizes
The fictional pack quantities are numeric. Prepare a separate number in the source if the field says something like '25-pack'. Specification L is not equivalent to S, and a quantity of zero is not a valid pack size.
| Vendor | Specification | Pack quantity | Pack price |
|---|---|---|---|
| V1 | S | 10 | 40 |
| V2 | S | 25 | 75 |
| V3 | L | 10 | 20 |
| V4 | S | 0 | 30 |
Choose comparable rows first
- Select Pack quotations as the result source and open Refine results.
- Add a Filter for Specification equal to S, followed by one for Pack quantity greater than 0.
- Add Calculate, divide Pack price by Pack quantity, and name the result Unit price.
- Add Sort on Unit price in ascending order and choose Apply.
Why V2 comes first
V1 has the lower pack price at 40, but each item costs 4. V2 costs 3 per item, so it comes first. The filters exclude V3 because its specification differs and V4 because its quantity is zero.
| Vendor | Specification | Pack quantity | Pack price | Unit price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| V2 | S | 25 | 75 | 3 |
| V1 | S | 10 | 40 | 4 |
Check that currencies and tax treatment match before comparing prices. You will still need to consider shipping, minimum orders and quality when choosing a supplier. This example addresses unit-price comparison; it does not reproduce every layout requested in the source question.
Try it with your own files
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Sources
The question What’s the best way to organize product pricing with different vendors, strengths, and pack sizes? asks how to compare supplier prices across different products and pack sizes. The quotes used here are fictional.
