Matching Columns in Excel

matching columns in excel

Many a time in Excel, we have to compare two columns. There are different techniques for that. We can use IF, COUNTIFS, Match, and conditional formatting functions. We can find the matching data in both the columns and the different ones.

There are various examples of matching columns with different functions. Using any of them 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.

You can download this Matching Columns Excel Template here – Matching Columns Excel Template

Example #1 – Comparing Cells in Two Columns

Let’s compare cells in two columns that are in the same row. Below is a table with two columns with some data, which can be the same or different. We can find the similarity and the differences in data as shown below.

matching column in excel example 1-1

Now we will type =A2=B2 in cell C2.

matching column in excel example 1-2

After using the formula result shown below in cell C2.

matching column in excel example 1-3

And then drag it downwards to get the result.

Matching cells are giving “True” and different ones “False”.

Example #2 – Comparing Two Cells in the Same Row

Let’s compare two cells in the same row using the IF function.

matching column in excel example 2-1

We can write the IF formula in cell C2 using our data table.

matching column in excel example 2-2

After using the IF Formula, the result is shown below.

matching column in excel example 2-4

Drag the same formula in cell C2 to cell C11.

The matching cells yielded a result as a match, and the unmatched are indicated as blank.

matching column in excel example 2-5

Another way to indicate cells can be done in the below manner. We will write the below formula in cell C2.

(Matching Columns in Excel) mismatch formula

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 matches.

(Matching Columns in Excel) matching example 3-1

In cell C2, we will write the formula below.

matching example 3-2

After using the IF, the formula result is shown below.

matching example 3-3

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 Differences in Two Columns

To highlight the cell in the second column that is different from the first in the below data table.

matching example 4-1

Select both columns, then go to the “Find & Select” tab and “Go to Special..”

matching example 4-2

Now select ‘Row differences.’

matching example 4-3

Press Enter Key. You will now see the unmatched cells highlighted.

matching example 4-4

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.

matching example 5-1

We will write the below formula in cell D3.

matching example 5-2

After using the formula, the result is shown below.

matching example 5-3

Drag the same formula into other cells.

match example 4

We can see that columns A, B, and C have the same data in rows 3, 4,6,7, and 8, so the result is “match” while the data is different in other rows.

Example #5 – Finding Matching Cells in the Same Row

Now we will find the matching cells in the same row but only in 2 columns using the OR function.

matching example 6-1

Taking our previous data table, we will write the below formula using the OR function in cell D2.

matching example 6-2

Press Enter, then drag it downwards.

matching example 6-3

We can see that any two columns with the same data match.

Example #6 – Compare Two Columns to Find Matches and Differences

We have data in two columns and want to find all the text, strings, or numbers in column A but not in column B.

This way, we will compare the two columns and find the matching and different values. Below is sample data in which we will compare columns A and B to find the matching data.

matching example 7-1

We will write this formula in cell C2 to get the desired result.

We will write the formula, 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, A2, and so on in column B, and IF gives it a condition that if there is 0, it will return “No match”; if the value returned by COUNTIF is 1, it will be a match.

matching example 7-3

In the above example, the COUNTIF function searched A1 in column B, A2 in column B, C1 in column B, and so on until it found the value in A and returned “match”.

match example 7-4

We can also get the same result by using the Match function.

match example 7-5

Now drag it downwards.

match example 7-8

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 column A entries found in Column B by using Conditional Formatting.

match examples 8-1

Select the column in which you want to highlight the cells. Then click the Conditional Formatting Tab and “use a formula to determine which cells to format“.

match examples 8-2

match examples 8-3

Cells that match in both 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 different from being highlighted.

match examples 8-4

Now click on OK.

match examples 8-5

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. We can find the matches and differences in two or more columns through the above examples.

Things to Remember About Matching Columns in Excel

We can compare the data in two or more columns in the same row.
Both the columns should be of the same size.
If any 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. The exact function is used to compare case sensitive data and get a correct result.