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Quick and Easy Excel Tips and Tutorials

Using the EXACT function to compare two columns in Excel

Previously, we created a tutorial on how to compare two columns using the IF Function, you can view that tutorial HERE. The difference between both methods is that by using the EXACT Function, it will be able to distinguish between upper- and lowercase characters, while using the previous method cannot. Here is the syntax for using the EXACT Function:

EXACT(text1, text2)
text1: The first text string.
text2: The second text string.

Here is how we will use this method to compare two columns.

How To compare two columns using the EXACT Function:

  1. Create a new worksheet and fill columns A and B with values or text that you’d like to compare.
  2. Select cells C1:C10 and type the following formula: =EXACT(A1,B1).
  3. Press CTRL+Enter.

Differences in formatting as well as extraneous blank spaces in cells will not prevent the EXACT Function from making a match.

Using the EXACT function to compare two columns in Excel
  1. Use the IF function to compare columns and return a result
  2. How to Use the AND Function to Compare Columns in Excel
  3. How to use the PV function to compare investments in Excel
  4. Use the ISODD and COLUMN functions to determine odd columns
  5. How to count sets of cells located in two columns in Excel

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