#Excel find duplicate values in a column how to
Generally, here is how to select only the first row for each unique value of a column: Furthermore, it may become even trickier to select values in the first row when looking to remove duplicate values. This often arises when duplicate values appear in different rows and columns.īesides using the mouse or keyboard to select different values on Excel, commands on the ribbon make it easier to select the first row based on unique column values. However, most people find it hard to select first rows based on unique column values. Whether using the mouse or keyboard shortcuts, it is effortless to select different values in Excel.
Selecting MS Excel rows, columns, individual cells, and cell ranges can be an easy task for anyone organizing and analyzing data on the spreadsheet. How to Select First Row Based on Unique Column Value Alternatively, you can utilize the keyboard shortcut CTRL + SHIFT + L to filter duplicate or unique values by color. You can filter by color by navigating to Data > Filter > Filter by Color. The values will be highlighted, allowing you to filter duplicate or unique values by color.
From a predefined selection cell format, highlight the values or customize it based on values you intend to remove.On the dialogue box, select either Duplicate Values or Unique Values to highlight duplicates.Navigate to Highlight Cells Rules and tap Duplicate Values.Here is how to locate and remove duplicate values using Conditional Formatting: However, this method does not highlight data across rows, meaning you will have to combine different columns to find duplicates in your data.
Adjust the range of data to remove duplicates using the List Range, check the Unique Records Only box and click OK.Ĭonditional formatting requires the addition of a helper column to combine the data from different columns.Filtering the list will hide duplicate rows, while selecting a Copy to Another Location function commands the application to create a copy of the data. Choose Filter the List in place or Copy to Another Location.Select all columns to remove duplicates and click OK.Īdvanced filters on the ribbon also allow users to find and remove duplicate values from Excel.Excel allows you to exclude the column header in the first row when removing duplicate values. Check the column where you intend to remove duplicates.This will select the set of data and launch a Remove Duplicates window. Click on the Remove Duplicates command.Here is how to select and omit duplicate values using the command prompt: MS Excel comes with a dedicated command in the ribbon to easily select values you intend to remove as duplicates. Here are three common ways of finding and removing duplicates from Excel. Microsoft Excel has multiple options to highlight and remove duplicates in the spreadsheet, and whichever method is used, the results are often the same. How to Find and Remove Duplicates in MS Excel Fortunately, Microsoft offers myriad ways to find and highlight duplicate data, whether removing or confirming duplicates in your Microsoft Excel project. Besides, duplicate data based on a single column, as well as the entire table, can be different. In addition, initial value occurrences in the list will remain unchanged, but identical values will be expunged.Īlthough duplicate data is necessary for some scenarios, it often makes it difficult to understand the data on the spreadsheet. When you remove a duplicate value in a single cell, other values outside the cell will remain unchanged. Duplicate values are what appear in the cell rather than underlying values stored in the cell. In a nutshell, a duplicate value in MS Excel entails all values in one or more rows being identical to values in another row.
So, how do you identify duplicates and select first rows based on unique column values? Read on to find out. This can lead to errors, as well as overestimation of results, ultimately misleading in terms of decision making. Having duplicate values in Microsoft Excel can be a significant issue, especially when dealing with multiple data values. Among them is identifying duplicates and selecting rows based on unique column values. Besides opening the spreadsheet and organizing different data formats, certain functions may make MS Excel intricate and confusing. However, this Office application can be quite intimidating, especially for people with basic knowledge of how Excel works. Microsoft Excel is a powerful application designed to organize data and perform financial analysis quickly and seamlessly. Microsoft Excel Tip: How to Select The First Row Based On Unique Column Value