How to Compare Two Columns in Excel

  1. Click the Compare two columns worksheet tab in the VLOOKUP Advanced Sample file. …
  2. Add columns in your workbook so you have space for results. …
  3. Type the first VLOOKUP formula in cell E2: …
  4. Click Enter on your keyboard and drag the VLOOKUP formula down through cell C17.

Similarly, What is the match formula in Excel?

The MATCH function searches for a specified item in a range of cells, and then returns the relative position of that item in the range. For example, if the range A1:A3 contains the values 5, 25, and 38, then the formula =MATCH(25,A1:A3,0) returns the number 2, because 25 is the second item in the range.

Additionally, How do I do a VLOOKUP with two criteria?
VLOOKUP with Multiple Criteria – Using a Helper Column

  1. Insert a Helper Column between column B and C.
  2. Use the following formula in the helper column:=A2&”|”&B2. …
  3. Use the following formula in G3 =VLOOKUP($F3&”|”&G$2,$C$2:$D$19,2,0)
  4. Copy for all the cells.

How do you find exact match in Excel?

The Excel EXACT function compares two text strings, taking into account upper and lower case characters, and returns TRUE if they are the same, and FALSE if not. EXACT is case-sensitive. text1 – The first text string to compare.

How do I match data from two Excel spreadsheets?


How to use the Compare Sheets wizard

  1. Step 1: Select your worksheets and ranges. In the list of open books, choose the sheets you are going to compare. …
  2. Step 2: Specify the comparing mode. …
  3. Step 3: Select the key columns (if there are any) …
  4. Step 4: Choose your comparison options.

How do I check if a value match in Excel?

You can use the MATCH() function to check if the values in column A also exist in column B. MATCH() returns the position of a cell in a row or column. The syntax for MATCH() is =MATCH(lookup_value, lookup_array, [match_type]) . Using MATCH, you can look up a value both horizontally and vertically.

How is Xlookup different from VLOOKUP?

XLOOKUP defaults to an exact match. VLOOKUP defaults to an “approximate” match, requiring that you add the “false” argument at the end of your VLOOKUP to perform an exact match. … XLOOKUP can perform horizontal or vertical lookups. The XLOOKUP replaces both the VLOOKUP and HLOOKUP.

What is the exact function in Excel?

What is the EXACT Function? The EXACT Function is categorized under Excel TEXT functions. This cheat sheet covers 100s of functions that are critical to know as an Excel analyst. The function helps to test if two or more than two supplied text strings or values are exactly equal and, if so, returns TRUE.

How do you pull data from one Excel sheet to another based on criteria?

On the Excel Ribbon’s Data tab, click Advanced. In the Advanced Filter dialog box, choose ‘Copy to another location’. For the List range, select the column(s) from which you want to extract the unique values. Leave the Criteria Range blank.

How do I check if two text cells match in Excel?

To compare text strings in a case-sensitive way, you can use the EXACT function. The Excel EXACT function compares two text strings, taking into account upper and lower case characters, and returns TRUE if they are the same, and FALSE if not.

How do I check if two rows match in Excel?

2 Answers. You need an array formula that compares the 2 rows. Instead of pressing Enter after typing the formula, press Ctrl + Shift + Enter , which will tell Excel you want an Array formula. The result will be TRUE if they match and FALSE if they don’t.

Is Xlookup replacing VLOOKUP?

XLOOKUP will be able to replace VLOOKUP, HLOOKUP, and INDEX/MATCH by enabling the selection of two columns (instead of the whole range) and allowing columns to be inserted into the desired data range without needing to change the column numbers.

Which is faster VLOOKUP or Xlookup?

Compared to a normal VLOOKUP, the binary XLOOKUP is significantly faster. But a VLOOKUP with a approximate match is still a little bit faster.

What are the advantages of using Xlookup?


XLOOKUP benefits

  • XLOOKUP can lookup data to the right or left of lookup values.
  • XLOOKUP can return multiple results (example #3 above)
  • XLOOKUP defaults to an exact match (VLOOKUP defaults to approximate)
  • XLOOKUP can work with vertical and horizontal data.
  • XLOOKUP can perform a reverse search (last to first)

What is an exact formula?

The Microsoft Excel EXACT function compares two strings and returns TRUE if both values are the same. … It can be used as a worksheet function (WS) in Excel. As a worksheet function, the EXACT function can be entered as part of a formula in a cell of a worksheet.

How do I filter data from one worksheet to another in Excel dynamically?


Solution for all versions of MS Excel

  1. Select range A1:O82 and press Ctrl+F3 > New > Name. …
  2. Select range A1:O82 and press Ctrl+T. …
  3. Save the file (assume on the Desktop for now)
  4. Open a blank worksheet and go to Data > From Other Sources > From Microsoft Query.
  5. Select Excel files and click on OK.

How do you compare two strings for similarity or highlight differences in Excel?

Compare two strings with formula

Select a blank cell C2, enter formula =EXACT(A2, B2) into the Formula Bar, and then press the Enter key. See screenshot: Note: In the formula, A2 and B2 are the cells containing the comparing strings.

How do I compare two texts?


How to Compare Document Text Using Windows 10

  1. In the search box on the toolbar type Word. …
  2. Select Word from the search options. …
  3. On the MS Word toolbar click Review. …
  4. In the Review menu, click Compare. …
  5. From the two options available, select Compare…

How do I compare two rows in Excel for matches?


To quickly highlight cells with different values in each individual row, you can use Excel’s Go To Special feature.

  1. Select the range of cells you want to compare. …
  2. On the Home tab, go to Editing group, and click Find & Select > Go To Special… Then select Row differences and click the OK button.

How do I compare the entire rows in Excel?

It is easier to compare just a single cell – so first combine your “whole row” into a single cell. This is easy by concatenating all the cells using the & symbol. Insert a new (hidden) column C on both sheets, that combines the other columns with a formula like: = A1 & B1.

How do I compare two rows in different Excel spreadsheets?


Compare 2 Excel workbooks

  1. Open the workbooks you want to compare.
  2. Go to the View tab, Window group, and click the View Side by Side button. That’s it!

Is VLOOKUP outdated?

VLOOKUP is an obsolete function inherited from Lotus-123. There is much better in Excel, more powerful and less limited, it is INDEX/MATCH. INDEX/MATCH replaces all lookups functions (VLOOKUP, HLOOKUP and LOOKUP).

What formula replaces VLOOKUP?

1) INDEX-MATCH: If you don’t have an Office 365 subscription, INDEX-MATCH is your best alternative to VLOOKUP. INDEX formula provides you with the exact location of a cell in a range. By nesting the MATCH formula in INDEX, you can replace VLOOKUP in a much more robust way.

Is there a better function than VLOOKUP?

Simply put, the LOOKUP Function is better than VLOOKUP, as it’s less restrictive in its use. It was only introduced by Microsoft in 2016, so it’s still new to most users. Benefits of LOOKUP vs VLOOKUP: Users can search for data both vertically (columns) and horizontally (rows)