Matching Columns in Excel (Table of Contents)
Introduction to Matching Columns in Excel
Many a time in Excel, we have to compare two columns. There are different techniques for that. We can use functions like IF, COUNTIFS, Match, and conditional formatting. We can find the matching data in both the columns as well as the different ones.
There are various examples of matching columns with different functions. Using any of them as per the requirement will give you matching data in two or more columns.
Comparing Two Columns Row by Row
This is one of the basic comparisons of data in two columns. In this, the data is compared row by row to find the matching and difference in data.
How to Match Columns in Excel?
Matching Columns in Excel is very simple and easy. Let’s understand how to use the Matching Columns in Excel with some examples.
Example #1 – Comparing Cells in Two Columns
Let’s compare cells in two columns that are in the same row. Below we have a table with two columns that have some data, which can be the same or different. We can find out the similarity and the differences in data as shown below.
Now we will type =A2=B2 in cell C2.
After using the formula result shown below in cell C2.
And then drag it downwards to get the result.
Matching cells are giving “True” and different one’s “False”.
Example #2 – Comparing Two Cells in the Same Row
Let’s compare two cells in the same row using the IF function.
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Using our above data table, we can write the IF formula in cell C2.
After using IF Formula the result shown below.
Drag the same formula in cell C2 to cell C11.
The matching cells yielded result as a match and the unmatched are indicated as blank.
Another way to indicate cells can be done in below manner. We will write the below formula in cell C2.
This will indicate the matching cells as “Match”, and different cells as “Mismatch”.
We can also compare case sensitive data in two columns in the same row.
Example #3 – Finding the Case Sensitive Match
To go for a case sensitive match, we use the EXACT function. We have sample data to find case sensitive match.
In cell C2, we will write the formula as below.
After using the IF formula result is shown below.
Drag the same formula in cell C2 to cell C6.
After writing the formula in cell c2, drag it downwards to see the case sensitive match of cells in the same row.
Highlighting Row Difference in Two Columns
To highlight the cell in the second column that is different from the first in below data table.
Select both the columns then go to “Find & Select” tab and then go to “Go to Special..”
Now select ‘Row differences’
Press Enter Key. You will now see the unmatched cells highlighted.
Example #4 – Comparing More than 2 Different Columns
In this example let’s compare more than 2 different columns for the match in the same row. In the below data table, we have to match all three columns in the same row and show the result in column D.
We will write the below formula in cell D3.
After using formula the result is shown below.
Drag same formula in other cells.
We can see that column A, B and C have the same data in row 3, 4,6,7 and 8 and so the result is “match” while the data is different other rows.
Example #5 – Finding Matching Cells in the Same Row
Now we will find out the matching cells in the same row but only in 2 columns using OR function.
Taking our previous data table, we will write the below formula using OR function in cell D2.
Press Enter. Then drag it downwards.
We can see that any two columns that have the same data are a match.
Example #6 – Compare Two Columns to Find Matches and Differences
Let’s say we have data in two columns, and we want to find out all the text, strings or numbers that are there in column A but not in column B.
This way we will compare the two columns and find out the matching value and the different ones. Below we have a sample data in which we will compare column A and column B to find the matching data.
To get the desired result, we will write this formula in cell C2.
We will write the formula and press Enter and then drag it downwards to see the result. In the below formula we have used COUNTIF with IF. The COUNTIF formula searches A1, then A2 and so on in column B and IF gives it a condition that if there will be 0, then it will return “No match” and if the value returned by COUNTIF is 1, it will be a match.
In the above example, COUNTIF function searched A1 in column B, then A2 in column B then C1 in column B and so on till it finds the value in A and so it returns “match”.
We can also get the same result by using the Match function.
Now drag it downwards.
We get the same result with this formula as well.
Example #7 – Compare Two Columns and Highlight the Matches and Differences
We can compare and highlight the entries in column A that are found in Column B by using Conditional Formatting.
Select the column in which you want to highlight the cells. Then click Conditional Formatting Tab, then go to “use a formula to determine which cells to format”.
Click on OK.
Cells that are matching in both the columns are highlighted. In the same way, we can highlight the cells that are not matching.
Select the column in which you want the cells that are different to be highlighted.
Now click on OK.
All the cells of column 1 that are not found in column 2 are highlighted.
The above examples are some of the ways to compare two columns. Going through the above examples, we can find out the matches and differences in two or more columns.
Things to Remember About Matching Columns in Excel
- We can compare the data in two or more columns that are in the same row.
- Both the columns should be of the same size.
- If any of the cells are left blank, the result will be blank.
- This is a case sensitive thing. The same data in different cases will lead to an unmatched result. To compare case sensitive data and get a correct result use the exact function.
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