does item match any in column B

M

MatthewTap

Unfortunately I suspect that this has already been answered, as it seems like
a typical question... but I'm hoping someone will want to answer this.

The basic example is that I have a good size number of items, and also a
decent sized number of items in column B.

I need to find if any of the items in column B are also in Column A, and so
on down the line.

Any help anyone can give is very much needed and appreciated.

Thanks so much.
Matt
 
B

bj

a simple method is to use a helper column with
=if(Countif(A:A,B1)>0,"DUPLICATE","") and copy down
a second method is to use conditional formating
select column B
<format><conditonal formating>
change cell value is to formula is
set formula is to = countif(A:A,B1)>0
set format to highlight the cell
(note I often have to go back into conditonal formating to get rid of
unwanted Quote marks and to make sure rlealtive / absolute cell references
stay corrent, [I am sometimes sloppy in how I originally do things])
 
G

Gary''s Student

Actually there is a MATCH() function. In column C, C1, enter:

=MATCH(B1,A;A,0)
and copy down for each item in column B. The function will tell you where
the item is in A and if it is there.
 
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