XL: How to Compare Data in Two Columns for Duplicates

• Microsoft Excel for Windows, versions 5.0, 5.0c
• Microsoft Excel for Windows NT, version 5.0
• Microsoft Excel for Windows 95, versions 7.0, 7.0a
• Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows
• Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh, versions 5.0, 5.0a
• Microsoft Excel 98 Macintosh Edition

SUMMARY

This article describes two methods for comparing two columns of data to find duplicate entries between the two columns.

MORE INFORMATION

Method 1: Use a Worksheet Formula

The following steps describe how to use a worksheet formula to compare the data in two columns:

1. In a new worksheet, enter the following data (leave column B empty):

         A1: 1   B1:     C1: 3
         A2: 2   B2:     C2: 5
         A3: 3   B3:     C3: 8
         A4: 4   B4:     C4: 2
         A5: 5   B5:     C5: 0
   
   

2. Type the following formula in cell B1:

         =IF(ISERROR(MATCH(A1,$C$1:$C$5,0)),"",A1)
   

3. Select cells B1:B5. On the Edit menu, point to Fill, and then click Down.

   A1: 1   B1:     C1: 3
   A2: 2   B2: 2   C2: 5
   A3: 3   B3: 3   C3: 8
   A4: 4   B4:     C4: 2
   A5: 5   B5: 5   C5: 0

Method 2: Use a Visual Basic Macro

Microsoft provides programming examples for illustration only, without warranty either expressed or implied, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose. This article assumes that you are familiar with the programming language being demonstrated and the tools used to create and debug procedures. Microsoft support engineers can help explain the functionality of a particular procedure, but they will not modify these examples to provide added functionality or construct procedures to meet your specific needs. If you have limited programming experience, you may want to contact the Microsoft fee-based consulting line at (800) 936-5200. For more information about the support options available from Microsoft, please see the following page on the World Wide Web:

   http://www.microsoft.com/support/supportnet/refguide/default.asp

1. Enter the following code in a module sheet:

         Sub Find_Matches()
   
             Dim CompareRange As Variant, x As Variant, y As Variant
   
             ' Set CompareRange equal to the range to which you will
             ' compare the selection.
   
             Set CompareRange = Range("C1:C5")
   
             ' Loop through each cell in the selection and compare it to
             ' each cell in CompareRange.
   
             For Each x In Selection
                 For Each y In CompareRange
                     If x = y Then x.Offset(0, 1) = x
                 Next y
             Next x
   
         End Sub
   
   

2. In a new worksheet, enter the following data (leave column B empty):

         A1: 1   B1:     C1: 3
         A2: 2   B2:     C2: 5
         A3: 3   B3:     C3: 8
         A4: 4   B4:     C4: 2
         A5: 5   B5:     C5: 0
   
   

3. Select the range A1:A5.

4. On the Tools menu, click Macro, and select the macro "Find_Matches". (In Microsoft Excel 97 or Microsoft Excel 98, click the Tools menu, point to Macro, and click Macros. Then, select the macro "Find_Matches".) Click Run to run the macro.

   A1: 1   B1:     C1: 3
   A2: 2   B2: 2   C2: 5
   A3: 3   B3: 3   C3: 8
   A4: 4   B4:     C4: 2
   A5: 5   B5: 5   C5: 0