Comments on: How to compare two columns in Excel for matches and differences

The tutorial demonstrates a number of techniques to compare and match two or more columns in Excel with formulas, conditional formatting and the specialized wizard. Continue reading →

Comments page 7. Total comments: 552

  1. Hi,
    I run a vlookup to match 2 sets of data. E,g I have product ID in Sheet 1 Column A. I want to match it with sheet 2 which returns value in column B. Is there a way when I run this Vlookup it can highlight the cells that were not matched from column B?

  2. hello
    i'm creating a Lease calculator for that i have a coloum that contains the models of vehiles and another coloum contains Insurance premium of X company and another coloum contains Insurance premium of y company and another coloum contains Insurance premium of X company. and i have created dropdown list to select vehicle models and another dropdown list to select Insurance company. so if i select a vehicle model and a Insurance company the premimum must appear in a cell
    please help urgent

  3. how to get value using vlookup by background cell color with cell values,

  4. Hi all, can i do bank reconciliation in excel, with just uploading or copy paste the bank statement and the analysis of cash from our system?, im dealing with 20k lines of reconciling items. thank you for your response

  5. how to count the difference in characters between two cell texts in excel.
    for example, Apple and Appde got 2 difference (after 3rd character)

  6. i have details in two columns as origin and destiantion ---- in same record some locations which are in destination are avbl as origin too...now i want both those location together which are having similar name irrespective of origin or dest...

    COLM A COLUM B SALE
    ORG DEST.
    DELHI GURGAON 15
    INDORE BHOPAL 20
    GURGAON DELHI 18

    NOW HOW CAN I GET COMMON LOCATION (DELHI-GURGAON & GURGAON-DELHI)ALTOGETHER ----OR INFRONT OF
    EACHOTHER.

  7. i have details in two columns as origin and destiantion ---- in same record some locations which are in destination are avbl as origin too...now i want both those location together which are having similar name irrespective of origin or dest...

    COLM A COLUM B SALE
    ORG DEST.
    DELHI GURGAON 15
    INDORE BHOPAL 20
    GURGAON DELHI 18

    NOW HOW CAN I GET COMMON LOCATION (DELHI-GURGAON & GURGAON-DELHI)ALTOGETHER ----OR INFRONT OF
    EACHOTHER.

  8. I have two columns in a worksheet, column one is a share code (300 codes) column two is that share capitalization in greater to smaller order. These two columns are only entered once a year at the beginning of the financial year.
    Column 3 and 4 are entered once a week and formatted in the same way greater to smaller but course the order will be different as capitalization change.
    so for example row 1 in column A will show a code for the highest capitalization at the beginning of the year.
    but one month later column 3 and four will show a different result.
    I would like to high light these change by colour change in the positive changes only row cells.

  9. Hi I want to extract a text which is not matching with other text in two columns. is there any formula we can use in excel

  10. Conditional Formatting 'Add Rule' does not appear on Excel Online. Can someone kindly advise how to set up formatting which highlights a cell when that cell matches any given number in a table range?

    The 'equal to' option only seems to work for cell to cell value. I would like to search a table and the result would be Green for 'match' and red for 'no match' value.

  11. DATE PRODUCT OPEING STOCK IN OUT RETURN CLOSING
    01-06-19 A 100 10 5 20 125
    01-06-19 B 200 20 10 30 240
    02-06-19 A 125
    02-06-19 B 240
    NEW DATE ENTER TO CLOSING STOCKING AUTOMATIC OPENING STOCK & ONE DATE ENTER TO ALL ONE DATE PRODUCT SHOW FORMULA

  12. I think you meant well, but your explanation is confusing to me. Sorry.

  13. Thnakyou. Loads of love and gratitude.

  14. Dear all,

    Anyone know how to get ride of the #N/A form the formula of INDEX($B$33,MATCH(B5,$B$33,0),1).
    In fact, i just want a "" if not match.

    Thank you.

  15. Hello,

    I would like to seek your support in the below, i have a long list of Part numbers in column A (one part number could be repeated in different rows) and the unit price in Column B. I need a formula so i can know if the same part number has different Unit prices.

    Thanks

  16. Hi
    I have an issue with excel. I have 3 columns. 1 column having a series and 1 column having a list and another one having a subset of the column having the list. If the subset has the value present in the list mentioned in the main list, need to replace it with the equivalent from the series list beside the main list.
    Kindly support

  17. Hi there

    I have a large Excel file with 3 Columns and consists of cross references.
    There are instances where duplications do occur but it depends on if both columns match.
    As an example this would be valid because it relates two different parts
    PART01 - XREF01
    PART02 - XREF01

    But I want to get rid of instances where two rows match in both columns:
    PART01 - XREF01
    PART01 - XREF01

    Any help and guidance would be very much appreciated.

    Thanks and Best Regards

    Steve

  18. I want a formula to identify if a particular customer code is allocated to more than two customers. For example, there are two customers A & B each having a respective customer code as A1 & B1 respectively, if by any chance the A1 code is allocated to customer B, then the cell should reflect an error.

  19. find difference of D and E column , even we add new column before D

  20. I need to compare 3 columns in which the three columns contain certain different values ie., 1,2,3 which match corresponding values in the same row. Also the matching values are not in the same row. Also i wish to highlight the cells with matching values.
    =IF(AND(A2=1,C2=1),"1"),IF(AND(B3-C3=1),A3=2,"2"),IF(AND(A4=B4=2),C4=1,"3"),IF(AND(A5=1,C5=2),"4"),IF(AND(A6=C6=2),B6=1,"5"),IF(AND(A7=2,B7=2,C7=2),"6")
    please help the correct sintex in the above formula and send my mail, thanks

  21. Good Day Team

    Now on the right hand side you have the 0's and 1's, which is what i want Excel to fill appropriately.

    On the left hand is that data source

    Now it should work like this:

    Check H3 within B3:G4

    If found use '1' if not found use '0'

    Now rightly O4 worked appropriately by detecting "Guilder" in A4 and "Guilder" in O4 returning '1' and same for "Guinness stout"

    But for Hero it returned "0", which is wrong.

    Please i want to code appropriately by telling excel to search for entries in row 3 as reference from A4:F4.

    For instance, Search for "33 Export" in H3 within the array A4:F4, if True return 1, else return 0. do this for all other products till you get to "Hero". Next Repeat same process in other rows downwards retaining H3:S3 as a fixed reference.

    Can you help?

    Thanks so much i await your response

  22. hi

    I need to compare 2 columns in which both columns contain certain matching text which match corresponding amounts in the same row. Also the matching text are not in the same row. Also i wish to highlight the cells with matching texts.

    is there a formula?

  23. Helo. I have a problem. The problem is that I have a master list of two pages comprising of three columns i.e Economic Class, ID code and Activity. Now every month I have to extract a list of 30 pages in excel and verify if there has been any wrong combinations in connection with my master list. I would be very grateful if I could be shown a way of how to do it using a formula.
    Thank you.

  24. Hello,

    I am trying to reconcile inventory data. I have a list of asset ID's in column A pulled from a database export. Their database location is in column B.

    I want to make sure my scanned Asset ID's and Locations Match what is in the database (or highlight when they don't match so I can make a movement in the database)

    My plan was to add the scanned asset tag data below the asset ID's in column A and the associated scanned locations in column B. I highlight duplicates from column A to make sure I accounted for all of them. Is there a way to say "IF column A has a duplicate value in another row further down the spreadsheet, does column B match the row?"
    Essentially I want it to find the duplicate data in the same column and then make sure column B also matches for that duplicate.

    I might be making this harder than it has to be, just couldn't find a good way to organize that formula.

  25. Hello, I have two columns, say column A and column B, with pricing in them and I want to compare those. I want to highlight the value in column B if it is + or - 10% of the value in column A. Looking for the formula I should use to get there. Thanks

  26. Hi,
    Below is the data,
    Sale order have a some of line items and result is three type A, B, C
    For one sale order all line item has C means , result should come as Completed

    Sale Order # Line # Status
    10045 10 A
    10048 20 C
    10045 30 C
    10045 40 C
    10045 50 B
    10045 60 C
    10046 10 C
    10046 20 C
    10046 30 C
    10046 40 C
    10046 50 C
    10046 60 C

    =IF((P2=L:L),IF(N:N="C","Completed","Not Completed"))

    Pls confirm

    1. Saran:
      If I understand your question this should work:
      =IF(C2="C"',"Completed","Not Completed")
      Then just copy the formula down the column to get the results for the respective data. No need to enter a range as in "L:L".

  27. Hello..I have two sheet in first sheet 5 columns like gstin no., invoice no., amount, cgst, and sgst in second sheet also same columns there are more data. Now i want to find match firts sheet data in second sheet is it possible to find match data in easy method and short time please tell me.

  28. Hello! I have a situation where for two columns (product number and colour), if any rows in first column (Product Number) have duplicate values, then the corresponding value of colour (second column) SHOULD also be the the same. If there are any violations, then they must be highlighted.
    Example:

    Product Number Colour

    12345678 Black
    12345678 Black
    12986533 Blue
    12344321 Red
    12344321 Yellow

    In above example, row 1 and 2 must pass the condition (duplicate values in both columns) but row 3 and 4 must fail and must be highlighted (duplicate values in one columns but not in another).

    Expected result
    * Rows in column 1 with no duplicates be ignored
    * Rows with duplicates in column 1 and also in column 2 be ignored
    * Rows with duplicates in column 1 but not in column 2 must be highlighted

    In above examples, rows to be highlighted are
    12344321 Red
    12344321 Yellow

    Thanks!

  29. Thanks so much for this tutorial. I've read each response but still haven't found the solution I need. How can I perform a case insensitive partial match from one column to the next? Example.

    Column A

    green
    red
    brown

    Column B

    The green tree
    Orange Leaves
    Brown Dirt

    I would like to search all the phrases in Column B with the words in Column A.

    Desired Outcome:

    The Phrase "The green tree" in column B should be identified because the word "green" from column A was found.

    The Phrase "Brown Dirt" in column B should be identified because the word "brown" from column A was found.

    I've scoured the web looking for a solution and I haven't found one that can be easily used without the knowledge of writing code.

    1. Have you been able to find a solution for this? I have the exact same issue. I only need to find a partial match and then sum it all up. I have over 80k (x3) line items to search...

  30. This post was SO helpful thank you!

  31. Thank You

  32. Sorry you are having problems. Here is a copy of my IF(Countif ..... formula and this should help you, I hope.
    =IF(COUNTIF('2017 Assigned Org'!$A$5:$A$70,'2018 Assigned Org'!A7)=0,"New RC","")

    In my example, I am trying to find new RC's that were added in 2018 but did not exist in 2017. So my formula checks if the value in cell A7 of the 'Assigned Org' worksheet is found in rows A5:A70 of the '2017 Assigned Org' worksheet. And, I copy down the formula to all the rows in my '2018 Assigned Org' worksheet.

  33. Hi all,
    I tried the countif >0 formula to highlight duplicates in 2 different columns, I don't know whether I did it wrong.
    I have about 1500 cells in the one column (A) with invoice numbers, then in another column(B) are fewer invoice numbers that have been selected from the invoice numbers in (A). As a sample.

    I now want to go an highlight the invoice numbers that have been selected in B, in A, but quickly.

    PLEASE help. I really don't want to have to scroll through or even ctrl+f.

    Thank you
    L

  34. Thanks for the information, that really very much helpful.

  35. This helped so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THANK YOU!

  36. Nimsoft Dynatrace Match/No Match
    ATG BAU-API

    I'm not able to sort by the matchs. Even tried =IF(B3=C3, "Match", "")

    could you please help me.

  37. Example four does not do what you say. It does not compare two columns. It compares all cells in the columns; therefore, it will highlight all duplicates even if they are in the same column.

    1. Hi Doug,

      You are absolutely right. Don't know what I was thinking. I have removed that example from the article. Thank you for pointing that out!

  38. Hello,

    Hope you are all well. How to compare sheet1 to sheet2 and both have five columns in each UniqueId, FName, LName, MName, Status in Excel. First it should consider unique id, once UniqueId matches then it needs to make sure the other columns are matching exactly as other columns based on UniqueId. If they are not matching it should say False. I would appreciate if you could help me out

  39. Thanks for your great work you do by helping others..
    I have a unique problem seeking formula for use in Office 2010.

    Problem: Looking for a formula to :- Find matches in any two cells in the same row where.. For example column A has exactly five or 8 digit numbers and column B has only a single digit with result in column c stating match/no match

    Say.. i have two columns in Excel each having numbers.In the first column A i have 5 or 8 number digits exactly. in B i have a single digit. what i need to do is find if the number present in column B, is matching in column A with result in column c stating match/no match i have enjoyed your formula given "Example 2. Find matches in any two cells in the same row
    If you are looking for a way to compare columns for any two or more cells with the same values within the same row, use an IF formula with an OR statement: =IF(OR(A2=B2, B2=C2, A2=C2), "Match", "") " ...... But not helping with my problem Please reply. thanks

  40. I guess vlookup has the capability to see if element in column B is present in column A by comparing it with the whole column A. I have done it and am not able to figure out how to do it. Can you tell it.

  41. What if I need to mark a duplicate ONLY if the data in two columns is the same as in a different row?

    batch sn
    784666 F00001 S006
    784664 F00001 S005
    784668 F00001 S005
    784668 F00001 S006
    784668 F00001 S006

    Only the bottom row in this sample should be marked as a duplicate....

  42. Hi I am trying to compare twho list and use the formula =countif() but when I write the formula it gives an error that says "there is a problem in formula Not trying to type a formula? ..."
    And it does not accept the formula unless I delete = from the formula and if I delete it does not highlight the data. How can I fix it?

  43. Hello. I have a problem. I have been given a spreadsheet of students expected and actual grades in different subjects.

    I need to format the data so that if the expected grade is higher than the actual grade both turn red. if the actual grade is higher than the expected grade they both turn green and if both grades are the same they turn yellow.

    1. never mind. I found a solution that works

  44. I have a list of items and all have distinct names. I need to compare the items with a list of known partial matches and have the result be the partial match. For example:

    Distinct list:
    F-daniel-01
    R-rose-20
    C-daniel-03
    T-bob-35
    A-kevin-36

    Partial match list:
    daniel
    rose
    bob
    kevin

    Result:
    F-daniel-01 | daniel
    R-rose-20 | rose
    C-daniel-03 | daniel
    T-bob-35 | bob
    A-kevin-36 | kevin

    Any advise would be great

    1. I have the exact same problem and so far I have not been able to find a solution.

  45. How to give a different mark to Blank cell
    =IF(H38645=I38645,"Match","Null")

    AA AA
    CC CC
    TT AA
    TT
    TT GT

  46. Prices in different location as below :

    Article Code - Location A - Location B - Location C - Location D
    --------------------------------------------------------------------
    GWC-20100 -------- 0 ----------- 0 -------- 43.94 -------- 0 --------
    HED-20102 ---------0 --------- 53.55 ---------0 ---------- 0 --------
    AFC-201108 --------0 --------- 88.02 ------ 80.02 -------- 0 --------
    QRH-201202 --------0 --------- 87.07 -------- 0 -------- 87.07 ------
    DJS-201209 ----- 63.09 --------- 0 -------- 63.09 ------ 63.09 ------
    HTC-201210 ----- 74.17 ------- 74.17 -------- 0 ---------- 0 --------
    PIL-201301 ----- 71.66 ------- 71.66 ------ 71.66 -------- 0 --------
    YPC-201305 ----- 70.57 --------- 0 -------- 70.57 -------- 0 --------
    RPT-P8157 ------ 51.96 --------- 0 -------- 51.96 ------ 51.96 ------
    POL-P9142 -------- 0 ----------- 0 ---------- 0 -------- 36.49 ------

    May I know for the above conditions, what are the formula that can be used to cross check whether or not if the article code is having the same price in different location?

    Your advise is highly appreciated.

  47. Article Price in Price in Price in Price in
    Code Location A Location B Location C Location D
    --------------------------------------------------------------------
    GWC-20100 43.94
    HED-20102 53.55
    AFC-201108 80.02 80.02
    QRH-201202 87.07 87.07
    DJS-201209 63.09 63.09 63.09
    HTC-201210 74.17 74.17
    PIL-201301 71.66 71.66 71.66
    YPC-201305 70.57 70.57
    RPT-P8157 51.96 51.96 51.96
    POL-P9142 36.49

    May I know for the above conditions, what are the formula that can be used to cross check whether or not if the article code is having the same price in different location?

    Your advise is highly appreciated.

  48. How to verify if the names in col A have a match in col B using one, or two words contains or any idea how can be done. Thank you

    COLUMN A COLUMN B
    ANGEL MARIE DIZON ANGEL MARIE E DIZON
    OSCAR LUCAS MARK LUCAS MARK OSCAR
    JULIE LIM MAN AREVALO
    REYNOLD B WILLIAMS JULIE ANN LIM
    JEN MARIE YU REYNOLD WILLIAMS
    MAN AREVALO B JEN YU
    STARK JOHNSON ARCH MAY TAN
    ARCH TAN JOHNSON STARK

    1. Jejemole:
      I think the only way Excel can be used to help you with this is to use the Fuzzy Logic add-in from Microsoft.
      If you Google MS Fuzzy Logic you'll see the address. The description and instructions are there, too.

  49. I have Excel file. Where there were 3 column
    1 date
    2 credit
    3 multiple debit
    and I have to reconcile credit debit column and find out difference..
    Please help

  50. I have two excel files that have very similar data. I have been using conditional formatting to compare one file to another and to highlight the differences. The issue I am having is that the first column which has the unique value that aligns the rows changes at time. Is there a way to use vlookup to align the rows to then compare for differences so I can highlight the differences?

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