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Using Excel Functions, such as VLOOKUP to compare two columns of text for similarities

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    Using Excel Functions, such as VLOOKUP to compare two columns of text for similarities

    My problem seems simple but I am struggling to figure it out. I have two columns of text. I am trying to see if the text in column B appears in column A. However, it is not always an exact match, and I basically want to check if column A contains the text that appears in column B. What is the best way to do this?

    Thank you! DiabetesMini.MDR US evk.xlsDiabetesMini.MDR US evk.xls

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    Re: Using Excel Functions, such as VLOOKUP to compare two columns of text for similarities

    I'm sure there are many ways but one method:
    =IF(COUNTIF(A:A,"=" & B1)=0,"Not Present","Present")

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    Re: Using Excel Functions, such as VLOOKUP to compare two columns of text for similarities

    However, it is not always an exact match
    is the text an exact match within the text string you are searching for ?

    or are you trying to get a match on

    UNIV OF COLORADO
    and
    UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER
    Wayne
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    Re: Using Excel Functions, such as VLOOKUP to compare two columns of text for similarities

    Sorry, missed the exact match bit. You could try including some wildcards which would give you if any of the cells in column A contain the text in column B:
    =IF(COUNTIF(A:A,"=*" & B1 & "*")=0,"Not Present","Present")

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    Re: Using Excel Functions, such as VLOOKUP to compare two columns of text for similarities

    You can try this one.

    =IF(ISERROR(MATCH(A2,$B$2:$B$3,0)),"",A2)

    Please fill the array that you have under ($B$2:$B$3).

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    Re: Using Excel Functions, such as VLOOKUP to compare two columns of text for similarities

    How can I do this when the text data from both columns is not an exact match?

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    Re: Using Excel Functions, such as VLOOKUP to compare two columns of text for similarities

    You can try using the Microsoft Fuzzy Lookup Add-in. That's what it was designed for. There's tutorials and such on youtube.

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