Need a function to match unidentical strings

[LoneTraveler]

Hi

I'm a first-timer here that couldn't find the answer to his question o
Google. I have 1 excel data file that comes from 1 accounting softwar
and another data file from a completly different software. On each ther
2 columns : one for the employee name and the other is for the amount o
money (1 sheet represents the amount due, the other the amount paid).

The only way to join (later in sql) these 2 sheets is by the employe
name but not all the names are writen exactly the same way (althoug
they should...). I wonder if there is a function or another way to tak
an employee name in one sheet and search for a highly similar match i
the name's column of the other sheet with a high degree of certainty.

Ex : In one sheet there would be a "John, Smith" and in the other shee
it would be "Jhon, Smith". Supposing that there are no other John Smith
I need to put the amounts value of one of the sheet as a third column i
the other sheet for this employee.

Any ideas and suggestions are welcomed.

Thank your for your time

LoneTravele