Comparing data in different cells

[TaiChi56]

I have checked the FAQ, but could not find an answer to this problem. I have an Excel worksheet that tracks students. The first column has the social security number. Everyday I have to transfer files from a database that is not Excel. I then have to check for duplicate names. I figured doing it by social would be better.

What I want is to have Excel flag that two social security numbers are the same. I do not want it deleting the names. I have to do several things before I delete one of them. Is this possible? Thank you.

The secret in education lies in respecting the student. {Ralph Waldo Emerson}.

 

[SkipVought]

Hi,

Simplest way is to

sort by ssn (I am assuming ssn is in col A)

in an empty column enter this formula in row 2 & copy down

=if(a1=a2,1,0)

this will identify the second and following duplicate occurrence. Using Edit Find or AutoFilter(Data/Filter/AutoFilter) you can identify these rows.

Hope this helps

Skip,
Skip@TheOfficeExperts.com

http://www.TheOfficeExperts.com

 

[PepeLeMokko]

Select the column or click a cell in the list you want to filter.
On the Data menu, point to Filter, and then click Advanced Filter.
Do one of the following.
To filter the list in place, similar to using AutoFilter, click Filter the list, in-place.
To copy the results of the filter to another location, click Copy to another location. Then, in the Copy To box, enter a cell reference.
To select a cell, click Collapse Dialog to temporarily hide the dialog box. Select the cell on the worksheet, and then press Expand Dialog .

Select the Unique records only check box.
(see XL Help)