Why are 2 identical values not found when using Find?

[Motox]

Hi Forum,

I have a spreadsheet in which I know there are duplicate values but when i use Conditional Formatting, Duplicates, nothing is highlighted.

So I copied one of the duplicate values, pasted it into Find and tried to find the duplicate. Excel doesn't find it. If finds one of the duplicate values (the one I copied) but not the other.

Then, if I type the value manually into Find, Excel locates both. Why?

An example of the kind of part numbers I am looking for is "1008-E-12356".

Both values seem to be a "General" format type.

How can I be sure that Find will always find a value (if it is in the spreadsheet)? And that all duplicates will be highlighted when using Conditional Formatting, Duplicates?

Thanks very much.

Dave

[Fotis1991]

Dave. See these links and if you need more help, pls upload a small sample workbook to work on it.

http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/win...-excel-245163/

http://spreadsheets.about.com/od/exc...s_in_Excel.htm



To attach a small sample workbook.

Click on GO ADVANCED and use the paperclip icon to open the upload window.

View Pic

[martindwilson]

no idea unless you attach a workbook showing 2 that don't match,but they are probably not the same try =a1=b1 where a1 and b1 hold the 2 that don't seem to match

[amy_d2]

Hi Dave,

Troubleshooting is

if cell has green dot at left upper corner, then select all cell & click on top green dot & convert it to numbers ,

try using count if as well

[martindwilson]

@ amy_d2 please do tell how to convert what the op has shown to a number ! 1008-E-12356

[amy_d2]

Dear Martin,

the option which i have provided are just basic trouble shooting, if motox will send some sample then we will able to provide solutions to him

[newdoverman]

The reason that "duplicates" are not found is usually due to the fact that the "duplicates" are not really duplicates and have some small differences like non-visible characters, spaces etc.