Displaying differences between two columns

Hi guys, I have absolutely no background in excel but I'm aware that you can pretty much do anything imaginable with it. I've done some research online and found that my solution is possible, and actually seems pretty standard, but I have a few other questions. I need to filter 2 columns for differences, but instead of just showing which ones are different in a separate column, I was wondering if an entire new spreadsheet could be created with just the rows that have differences. I am filtering through thousands of words in comumn A and column B, and only 50 of the rows will have differences between the two columns, so if they could be completely separated from the pack it would make my life so much easier. Thanks for any input!

EDIT: I just read through my post and I don't think I was very clear on what it is that I am doing. In Column A I have words and phrases that should EXACTLY match the corresponding node in column B. I need the filter to be case sensitive as well. Thanks

Have a look at the attached sample...

The main database is in Sheet1 with Col A and Col B as your existing column A and B strings..

in Column C2, entered formula:

=SUMPRODUCT(--(NOT(EXACT(A$2:A2,B$2:B2))))

this counts the number of Non-exact matches between A and B as you go down.

in D2: =MAX(C:C) this gives the number of non matching rows total.

If the calculations seem slow as you approach the bottom of the page, then try instead 2 helper columns as in F2: =EXACT(A2,B2) and G2: =COUNTIF(F$2:F2,FALSE) copied down (might be faster calcs)

then in Sheet2, your result sheet, in A2:

=IF(ROWS($A$1:$A1)>Sheet1!$D$2,"",INDEX(Sheet1!A:A,MATCH(ROWS($A$1:$A1),Sheet1!$C:$C,0)))

copied over to next column(s) and down as far as necessary to get all information

Same formula(s) pretty much, just adjusted for the additional column being there.

Then in sheet 2, formula is copied over 1 more column...

You could probably get it done with a macro if you wanted.

If that is what you want, repost in the Programming forum...and specifically mention that you want to automate with macro.

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