Finding a specific list of names inside larger list

**Boxed** · 07-05-2013, 10:37 AM

I have 2 spreadsheets. One contains ~5000+ names with about 30 corresponding information fields. The other spreadsheet has the names of ~2500 people whose data I need. To manually copy/paste/delete this job would takes weeks of mind-numbing work.

I thought of taking my larger list and just deleting names that didn't match exactly, but I wasn't sure how to efficientlydo this, and then I thought of just doing a string search, but since there are over 50 smiths, johnsons etc, I wasn't sure if this would be accurate.

Can anyone think of a good way to tackle this problem?

**elayaz** · 07-05-2013, 11:07 AM

Hi Boxed,

Welcome to the forum.

Can you upload an excel sheet, with data ( if sensitive, dummy data) will do. With the sample data, it will be easy to understand your needs and the forum members will definitely solve

**abousetta** · 07-05-2013, 11:16 AM

Hello and welcome to the forum,

I would use Vlookup first just to get the information where the names match. Then once that's done, you can then decide your next step. Either delete the rest or use fuzzy matching to get the data from the remaining ones. Fuzzy matching helps if you think there could be misspelled names, etc.

abousetta

**FDibbins** · 07-05-2013, 11:19 AM

Hi and welcome to the forum

you mention you want to delete the non-matches?

Maybe the easiest way would be to use a vlookup from the small 1 to the big 1 and delete all the non-error answers?

**Boxed** · 07-05-2013, 12:23 PM

Thanks for the quick response! VLOOKUP seems to be the right direction to go on this one. I think I can handle this one from here.

RESOLVED

**abousetta** · 07-05-2013, 12:37 PM

If that takes care of your original question, please select Thread Tools from the menu link above and mark this thread as SOLVED. Thanks.

**pierre86** · 09-13-2013, 06:44 PM

Hello Boxed,

I am trying to essentially do the same, I have a master list of registered members, column C has last name, column D has join date.
Now I have a short list of last names and with join dates.

I want to compare the short list with the master list to find names that are already there, by comparing the last name and join date. As you mentioned in your original post, names can repeat over and over.

Did you succeed with Vlookup?
I would appreciate seeing the formulation of Vlookup you composed.
Tks
Pierre

**FDibbins** · 09-13-2013, 06:46 PM

Hi pierre86 and welcome to the forum

Unfortunately your post does not comply with Rule 2 of our Forum RULES. Do not post a question in the thread of another member -- start your own thread.

If you feel an existing thread is particularly relevant to your need, provide a link to the other thread in your new thread.

Old threads are often only monitored by the original participants. New threads not only open you up to all possible participants again, they typically get faster response, too.