Excel question, can you please help?

Question

i have list of names in column A and another list of names in B. They could be the same from month 1 to month 2, but since they could be different i want to find out. I can do this with eye-balling but way too tiring as the list is really long.

I would like a function that would tell me which rows are different and shows for me in column C those different names if they exist.

How?

Thanks a lot.

Answer 1

Although you seem to be happy with the answers you've received, you could also use colour to highlight those rows where the names are different:

1) Highlight ALL the cells in columns A and B

2) Hold the Alt key down and press O, D

3) Click on Cell Value Is and change to Formula Is

4) In the next field enter this formula:

=$A1<>$B1

5) Click on Format and select the Pattern tab

6) Choose a highlight colour (Red?)

7) Click OK and OK again

You could then enter this formula in C1 to actually display the different name:

=IF(A1=B1,"",B1)

(assuming your name lists start at A1 and B1 respectively)

If it's the name in A1 that you want to display, just modify the formula to read A1 at the end.

Once you've entered the formula, point your cursor to the bottom right-hand corner of the cell until a black + shows.  Then click & drag down to fill the appropriate number of cells.

Answer 2

highlight the top of the column by clicking either a or b, once the column is highlighted, click on the button with az and the arrow pointing down. it will alphabetiz it for you and show you which are duplicates. but first i would save 1 copy just in case you need to redo it.