Create paired combinations based on values in two columns

[Knawl]

I'm trying to create unique pairings based on values in two columns. The first column acts as a unique key and I want to pair corresponding values in the second column. Only unique pairings are required - not all possible combinations.

My range is currently A2:B7000 on a low spec machine so processing needs to be as minimal as possible.

Many thanks.


bookexample2.xlsx

[Pauleyb]

Thanks for the attachment, as it adds some examples, but it still leaves some questions:
1 - you state 'pairings,' yet I see some with two 'variables' (e.g. G2:H2) and others with three variables (e.g. G3:I3). What do you consider to be a 'pairing'?
2 - Is there a quantity of unique pairings you want?

Certainly, a macro can be written to do this, but probably the easiest way would be to just do some random picks using the INDEX function. Then copy and paste values those random values, then use the data tool to remove duplicates so that you are left with unique values. Since there may be some duplicates removed, start out with a bit more than you need during the random picking. You could even record a macro to do what I described, and it would probably be fairly quick.

[Knawl]

Hi Pauleyb,

I'm not explaining this very well. 1 appears once in the list on the left and 2 appears three times. Pairings only need to be established for fruits with the corresponding same number. If there is no pair then the first value goes into the first result column without a pairing.

The idea is that if Apple, Orange and Tangerine all have a value of 1 then that is telling us that they are all linked.

Apple is linked to Orange
Apple is linked to Tangerine
Orange is linked to Apple
Orange is linked to Tangerine
Tangerine is linked to Apple
Tangerine is linked to Orange

However the ones in red already have their link established in the above three. The desired formula or VBA could either contain or not contain the ones in red. It doesn't matter.

I hope this helps and many thanks.

[Pauleyb]

Sorry for the delay, Christmas got me.

I think you will need a macro for this. I recommend you repost with the clarification of what you want in the 'macros' group of this site.