To replace errors with blank cells, use VLOOKUP in combination with the IFNA or IFERROR function in this way: However, it delivers a bunch of #N/A errors, which may confuse inexperienced users making them think that something is wrong with the formula. The VLOOKUP formula discussed above perfectly fulfills its main objective - returns common values and identifies missing data points. For the remaining participants, a #N/A error appears indicating that their names are not available in List 2. Please notice that table_array is locked with absolute references ($C$2:$C$9) so that it remains constant when you copy the formula to the below cells.Īs you can see, the names of the qualified athletes show up in column E. The formula goes to cell E2, and then you drag it down through as many cells as there are items in List 1.
You want to compare these 2 lists to determine which participants from Group A made their way to the main event. Suppose you have the names of participants in column A (List 1) and the names of those who have passed through the qualification rounds in column B (List 2).
For table_array (2nd argument), supply the entire List 2.For lookup_value (1st argument), use the topmost cell from List 1.To build a VLOOKUP formula in its basic form, this is what you need to do: When you have two columns of data and want to find out which data points from one list exist in the other list, you can use the VLOOKUP function to compare the lists for common values.
#Best way to compare two columns in excel how to#
How to compare two columns in Excel using VLOOKUP Identify matches and differences between two columns.Compare two columns to find differences (missing data).Compare two columns to find matches (common values).Compare two columns in different sheets.Comparison can be done in many different ways - which method to use depends on exactly what you want from it. When you have data in two different lists, you may often need to compare them to see what information is missing in one of the lists or what data is present in both. The tutorial shows how to use VLOOKUP formula in Excel to compare two columns to return common values (matches) or find missing data (differences).
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