How to Compare Two Lists in Excel: 5 Easy Methods

Comparing two lists in Excel is a powerful way to identify matches, differences, or duplicates within your data. Whether you’re working with inventory records, customer databases, or project tasks, knowing how to compare two lists in Excel can save time and improve accuracy. Excel offers several tools for this purpose, such as formulas like VLOOKUP, IF, as well as conditional formatting. This guide will walk you through step-by-step methods to effectively compare two lists in Excel, ensuring you can analyze your data quickly and efficiently.

Why Compare Two Lists in Excel

Comparing two lists is essential for tasks like:

• Identifying missing or duplicate entries.
• Validating records between two databases.
• Analyzing differences in inventory, sales, or employee datasets.

Excel offers versatile tools to help you achieve these objectives with ease.

How to Compare two Lists in Excel : 5 Different Methods

When working with datasets in Excel, comparing two lists helps identify differences, duplicates, or missing entries. This is useful for tasks like data validation or tracking changes. In this guide, we’ll show you 5 different methods to compare two lists in Excel, including using formulas, conditional formatting, and built-in tools to efficiently spot discrepancies.

Method 1: Using Conditional Formatting

A simple way to compare two lists in Excel is by using conditional formatting. This allows you to change a cell's appearance based on specific conditions. For instance, you can highlight the unique values in both lists. To do this, follow these steps:

Step 1: Select your Data and Go to Home Tab

Open Excel Spreadsheet and Select your Data and Go to Home Tab.

Step 2: Click on Conditional Formatting

In the Home tab, click on "Conditional Formatting," then select "Highlight Cells Rules," and choose "Duplicate Values."

Step 3: Select your Formatting Style

We can pick the different design tones starting from the drop list in Excel. Select the primary arranging tone and press the "OK" button. This will feature every one of the matching information from the two records.

Step 3: Highlight Unique Values

Simply for the situation, rather than featuring every one of the matching information, to feature not matching information, then, at that point, we can go to the "Duplicate Values" window and pick the choice "Unique." Subsequently, it will feature every one of the non-matching qualities, as displayed beneath.

Method 2: Using the Equal Sign Operator

This method compares lists cell by cell and returns "TRUE" for matches and "FALSE" for mismatches.

Step 1: Insert a new Column

Immediately after the two columns, we must insert a new column in the next column.

Step 2: Put the formula in Cell C2

We need place the equation in cell C2 as =A2=B2.

Step 3: Check the outcome as "TRUE" or "FALSE"

This equation tests whether cell A2 esteem is equivalent to cell B2. On the off chance that both the cell values are coordinated, we will come by the outcome as "TRUE" or "FALSE."

Step 4: Drag the formula to cell C9

We will drag the recipe to cell C9 to decide on different qualities and outcomes.

Use Case: Ideal for comparing data row by row.

Method 3: Using VLOOKUP Formula Method

In the below steps we will show you how to compare two lists in excel using VLOOKUP Formula. This method identifies matches or missing values between two lists

Step 1: Open Excel and Enter your data

Open MS Excel Spreadsheet and Enter your lists into the sheet.

Step 2: Select a Column for Result

Select a separate column for result to display

Step 3: Enter VLOOKUP Formula

Enter the below formula in column C2.

=VLOOKUP(A2,$B$2:$B$9,1,FALSE)

How VLOOKUP Works

• A2: The value from List1 to search for.
• $B2:$B9: The column range of List2 to look for the value.
• 1: Specifies that we’re searching within the first column of the range.
• FALSE: Ensures an exact match.

Step 4: Drag the Formula

Drag the fill handle down the results column to apply the formula to all rows.

Step 5: Preview Results

In the results, whenever a match is found, the name is displayed, while #N/A indicates that the value from List1 does not exist in List2.

Method 4: Using Row Difference

You probably won't have utilized the "Column Difference" strategy in your working environment. Be that as it may, today, we will tell you the best way to utilize this procedure to match information column by line.

Step 1: Select the Entire Data Range

To feature non-matching cells column by line, we should choose the whole information first.

Step 2: Open 'Go to Special' and Press Special Tab

Press the 'F5' key to open the 'Go to special' box then press the "Special" tab

Step 3: Select 'Row difference' and click OK

In the following window, we should go to the "Go To Special" and pick the "Row differences" choice. Then, at that point, click on "OK."

Step 4: Preview Results

We will obtain the accompanying outcome.

As shown in the window above, it highlights the cells where there is a row difference. You can fill these cells with a color to make the differences stand out.

Method 5: Using IF Condition

Follow these steps to compare rows in Excel and display results as "Coordinating" or "Not Matching":

Step 1: Open Excel Spreadsheet

Open MS Excel and Enter data into the Sheet

Step 2: Use the Formula

=IF(A2=B2,"Coordinating","Not Matching")

This formula compares the values in cells A2 and B2. If they match, it will display "Coordinating"; if not, it will display "Not Matching."

Step 3: Apply the Formula to Other Rows

Drag the formula down from the corner of the cell to apply it to other rows (e.g., down to cell C9) to compare additional pairs of values.

Conclusion

Comparing two lists or datasets in Excel is an essential skill for data analysis, ensuring data accuracy and improving efficiency in your workflow. By learning powerful Excel functions like VLOOKUP, MATCH, and advanced tools such as Conditional Formatting and Power Query, you can easily identify matches, discrepancies, and ensure data integrity. Whether you're handling large Excel databases or comparing data files, these methods provide reliable solutions for your data comparison needs.
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