Comparing Columns in Microsoft excel is much often feature that is used while managing database. We have many ways to compare the columns in excel and can be used as per the requirement. We will be learning them in very easy and simple steps in below section..

Compare Two Columns in Excel

Comparing columns in excel helps to check or validate the database. It takes lots of efforts and time when we check or compare the database without using the excel functions. Excel functions helps us to ensures the accuracy of data and minimize the risk of errors.

• Example 1: Comparing two columns “Not Case Sensitive”

Here we have two data sets and need to match the names available in column A with column B and identify the values which are matching or not matching with each other. We will be using a syntax to get the desired output.

Syntax:  =Cell1=Cell2

Here Cell1 and Cell2 are the data cell range that we are comparing with each other. This is very simple and gives results in “TRUE” and “FALSE” format. “TRUE” means that value is matching with each other, whereas “FALSE” says value is not matching.

Things To Remember

We need to remember that above function is not “Case Sensitive”, means “John” and “JOHN” will be considered as cells are matching with each other and output of function will be “TRUE”

Column C represents the output, where values in Column A and B are compared. We can see the output, in cell C2 shows “True” i.e. “Robert” is matching in cell A2 and B2.

Also, name “John” (cell A3) and “JOHN” (cell B3) are considered as matched and output is “TRUE”. Values in cell A4 (Bill) and B4 (Don) are not matching that is why output is “FALSE”

• Example 2: Comparing two columns with “Exact” match

Syntax: =(Cell1=Cell2) is not Case Sensitive means “John and JOHN” will be considered as “TRUE”. However, if we need to compare the database to exact match means, name “John” and “JOHN” should be considered as two then we need to follow equal function along with “Exact”

Syntax:  =Exact(A2,B2)

Here “Exact” excel function is used to compare the exact values, “A2, B2” are the cells comparing with each other. Output of the syntax will be “TRUE or FALSE”. “TRUE” means that value is matching whereas “FALSE” says that value is not matching.

Things To Remember

We need to remember that above function is “Case Sensitive”, means “John” and “JOHN” will be considered as “FALSE”

Column C represents the output, where values in Column A and B are compared. We can see the output, in cell C2 shows “FALSE” because “John (cell A2)” and “JOHN (cell B2)” are considered as not matching

• Example 3: Comparing two columns with “Custom Output Result”

Sometimes we need to customize the output, means instead of “TRUE” or “FALSE” if we need any other output to be shown then we need to use the equal function along with “IF”.

For example, if we need “Name is Matching” text instead of “TRUE” and “Name is not Matching” text instead of “FALSE” then we need to follow below:

Syntax:  =IF(A2=B2,"Name is Matching", "Name is not Matching")

Here “IF” excel function is used to get the customized result. We are comparing cells “A2, B2” and if both cells are matching then output will be “Name is Matching” whereas if cells are not matching then output will be “Name is not Matching”

Things To Remember

We need to remember that we can customize the output to any text, means instead of “Name is Matching, or Name is not Matching” we can mention like “Result is Matching, or Result is not Matching”

Column C represents the output, where values in Column A and B are compared. We can see the output, in cell C2 shows “Name is Matching” because “Robert (cell A2)” and “Robert (cell B2)” are matching.

• Example 4: Highlight the “Duplicate” values using Conditional Formatting

We can also highlight the duplicate values in the database using Conditional Formatting. This is very effective option to bring the duplicate values out within few steps. We can choose any color and formatting to highlight the values of the database. Follow the below steps to explore:

> Select the Data Range:

> Click to Hone Menu -> Conditional Formatting -> Highlight Cells Rules -> Duplicate Values..

> Select to “Duplicate” and values with, choose the appropriate formatting of your choice. Default option is selected, i.e. “Light Red Fill with Dark Red Text”

> Click to “OK”

Report will be highlighted as above. Results can be seen that all the duplicate values in the Selected Data Range is highlighted to the Formatting provided.

• Example 5: Highlight the “Unique” values using Conditional Formatting

We can also highlight the unique values in the database using Conditional Formatting.

Follow the similar steps as “Duplicate” values, just select “Unique” in the below option provided

Click to “OK”

Report will be highlighted as above. Results can be seen that all the Unique values in the Selected Data Range is highlighted to the Formatting provided.

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