Searching for duplicates in another excel file

[mattfleet]

Hi,

Currently I am required to run a monthly report and check the results of the report. Each monthly report brings up a few results which I have already checked the previous month. To avoid double handling I want to be able to identify which results are a duplicate of the results in the previous months report. A colleague of mine set up a formula which was meant to identify these situations but it seems to not be working. The formula is:

=IF(ISERROR(VLOOKUP(N35,'*LAST MONTH"S REPORT FILE LOCATION*'!$N:$N,1,0)),"N","Y"). I would copy this formula into the new report and it would prompt me to select the file in which to search for duplicates. It would then label all duplicates as Y, and non duplicates as N.

This formula doesn't seem to be working and does not identify all the duplicates. What i have noticed is even when i use the formula and select a file name in the prompt, the section of the formula *LAST MONTH"S REPORT FILE LOCATION* doesn't change to that file name, it stays as an old one. Could this be the issue?

Are there any easier ways to identify duplicates in different files? I have searched and could only find ways to do it within the same file, but different sheets.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[Glenn Kennedy]

Will you please attach a SMALL sample Excel workbook (10-20 rows of data is usually enough)? Please don't attach a picture of one (no-one will want to re-type all your stuff before starting).

1. Make sure that your sample data are truly REPRESENTATIVE of your real data. The use of unrepresentative data is very frustrating and can lead to long delays in reaching a solution.

2. Make sure that your desired solution is also shown (mock up the results manually).

3. Make sure that all confidential information is removed first!!

4. Try to avoid using merged cells. They cause lots of problems!

Unfortunately the attachment icon doesn't work at the moment. So, to attach an Excel file you have to do the following: Just before posting, scroll down to Go Advanced and then scroll down to Manage Attachments. Now follow the instructions at the top of that screen.