Even Faster Way to Compare 2 Lists in Excel [Quick Tip]

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Last week we discussed a fun and easy way to compare two lists of data in excel using conditional formatting. In that post, Artem commented,

The quickest way to find all about two lists is to select them both and them click on Conditional Formatting -> Highlight cells rules -> Duplicate Values (Excel 2007). The result is that it highlights in both lists the values that ARE the same. Then in one list non-highlighted are values that are not present in the second list, and opposite for the second list. I think it is sell “geeky”, but it gets job done very very quickly when you don’t want to mess around.

Artem must be an Excel Yoda. I somehow missed this beautiful and dead-simple way to compare lists in Excel. So here, I am documenting that technique so we all remember it and use it.

A Ridiculously easy and fun way to compare 2 lists

Compare 2 lists of Data in Excel - Conditional Formatting Tip[works only Excel 2007+, use the above technique if you are on excel 2003 or earlier]

  1. Select cells in both lists (select first list, then hold CTRL key and then select the second)
  2. Go to Conditional Formatting > Highlight Cells Rules > Duplicate Values
  3. Press ok.
  4. There is nothing do here. Go out and play!

See the screencast aside to see how this works (click here for a detailed demo).

Hats off to Artem for sharing this beautiful tip with us. Thank you 🙂

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30 Responses to “Great News: Chandoo becomes MVP”

  1. arkangel says:

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  3. Frederick says:

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    Thanks for the excel calendar. Is it possible to get a simple big fonted calendar printable on an A4 size paper without any distracive notes or visuals? BTW, I have already signed up for your newsletter. With warm regards and
    Gratefully yours
    50+ year old CHarish.

  5. Pankaj Verm says:

    Hey Chandoo,

    Great to hear that. Congratulations! The best new year gift, I would say. Keep it up, u've been doing extraordinary work for the excel users community.

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    Pankaj Verma

  6. Amit says:

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    Rich

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    I recently found your site, I visit many. The tips that you provide are in the top 1% of all the sites I visit. Keep on Excelling.

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    South Africa

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    Congratulations, Chandoo.

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    Congrats.

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    Congratulations, and Happy New Year.

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  15. Ketan says:

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  16. Rajiv Thakur says:

    Well deserved Chandoo!!

  17. Cheryl says:

    Congrat's!! Very well deserved 🙂

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    i always browsed mr.excel and used to see MVP writtne below names of people who used to solve queries in excel forum there......i just used to admire as to what they have special in them that they are MVP......

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  19. Chandoo says:

    @All: thanks everyone 🙂

  20. JP says:

    Congratulations Chandoo, nice job!

  21. Subbaraman says:

    Chandoo,

    A well deserved recognition and a good start to the New Year. Continue your good work.

    Subbu

  22. Vishal Haria says:

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    You deserve a Ph.D. 🙂

  23. Govar says:

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  26. Jon Peltier says:

    Dipak -

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  28. Sumit says:

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