The top four methods to compare 2 columns are listed as follows: Method #1-Compare using simple formulae Method #2-Compare using the IF formula Method #3-Compare using the EXACT formula Method #4-Compare using conditional formatting Let us understand these methods with the help of examples. In this article, I am going to compare/find matches in two columns in excel using VLOOKUP. Step 4: For value_if_false, we need to specify the value. Another formula: =IF (ISNA (VLOOKUP (A2,'Names-2'!$A$2:$A$19,1,FALSE)), "No", "Yes") also can help you to compare the two lists and identify if the names are exit in both sheets, after apply this formula, you can get the following result, and Yes indicates the corresponding name exists in both sheets, and No indicates not exist. 2. Ltd. All rights reserved.Excel is a registered trademark of the Microsoft Corporation. Here we are getting the result NO as the colors Blue and White dont exist in Color List-2. In this tutorial, we will look at how to use VLOOKUP on multiple columns with multiple criteria. Add 2 columns if you want to display whether the values in each column are found in the other column. Compare two columns with VLOOKUP in Excel Method 1: with VLOOKUP Method 2: with VLOOKUP and IFNA Method 3: with FILTER and COUNTIF Method 1: with VLOOKUP In Excel, compare two columns with VLOOKUP to find common values. lookup_value (required). =IF(A2="","",(IF(ISNA(HLOOKUP(A2,'1. However, we have some points to remember for you all. Select New Rule. We often need to use the VLOOKUP function for returning a third value by comparing two columns. Round One'!$H$5&" "&'1. You can also use INDEX/MATCH such as: =INDEX (Sheet1!$M$2:$M$4,MATCH (B2,Sheet1!$A$2:$A$4,0)) 30-day) of this utility, please click to download it, and then go to apply the operation according above steps. Copy the ISNA and VLOOKUP part of the formula to the clipboard ( CTRL+C) Press ESC. Excel Power Query (Get & Transform) Tutorial for Beginners: 350 + Excel Keyboard Shortcuts And Hotkeys: Premium Courses at the Power Spreadsheets Academy: Add (only) 1 column if you want to (only) display whether the values in 1 column are found in the other column, but not vice-versa. If there is no exact match between the columns the formula will return NO. You will see the value Red appears. Compare Multiple Columns with VLOOKUP & IFERROR Functions in Excel 4. col_index_num is the column number in the range of data from which we are going to get the values after lookup. Note that, we can also use the Boolean values for TRUE and FALSE as 1 and 0 respectively under VLOOKUP function. The color lists are listed below and in the Existence column, the comparison will be shown. While working with data in Excel, sooner or later you will be in need to make a comparison between two columns to check whether data from one column in present in another column or not. Construction of the XLOOKUP formula to search on 2 columns Step 1: Build the first value to search with 2 cells We will first build our identifier by merging the cells E2 and F2 cells with the symbol & =XLOOKUP (E2&F2; Step 2: Build your lookup table Now we must build the "lookup table". Its the List-1. There are several ways in this article to deal with this problem easily! Insert a new column A so that now your data is in columns B and C. Enter this formula in A2: =IF (ISNUMBER (MATCH (B2,C:C,0)),"Match","") Copy down to the end of data in column B. Step 2 Example. The VLOOKUP function will return the output for the lookup value. However, if you need to vlookup value across multiple worksheets, how can you do? If the searched value isn't found in the column (you use for comparison purposes): The #N/A error. Round One'!$H$6&" "&'1. Identify the components. we will discuss Examples of Compare Two Columns in Excel. Dont forget to use double quotes. How this works? Follow the steps below to get the comparison within these two columns using the VLOOKUP function. Answer: Set up your two columns with headers in columns A and B in Excel. When it comes to make comparison between two columns, lookup functions are the best in business. Close the parentheses for both VLOOKUP and ISNA function. Column A is your master list which is the total list of items you have. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we may earn an affiliate commission, but this never influences our opinion. Round One'!$H$7))) The following are some of my most popular Excel Tutorials: If you want to learn more about Excel essentials, Excel formulas, and similar Excel topics, you may be interested in taking one (or more) Excel Courses: Click here to learn more about these Excel Courses (affiliate link). Once I find a match I want to compare values in two other columns using < operator and return true or false. The final formula is: =VLOOKUP(B4, C$4:C$9, 1, FALSE) If no exact match is found then it will return the value #N/A. The value you want to look up. The query therefore basically says "return the columns specified (OrderID, CompanyID, Amount, Company) from the two related tables where values in the CompanyID columns are equal". Vlookup and return entire row of a matched value Normally, using the vlookup function can only return a result from a certain column in the same row. Select the cell range A4:C50. See screenshot: Note: For returning True or False, please replace the Yes and No in the formula with True and False: =IF(ISNA(VLOOKUP(A2,$D$2:$D$4,1,FALSE)), "False", "True"), If you want to stand out values (such as highlight them with background color) in a column if they are found in another column, here highly recommended the Select Same & Different Cells utility of Kutools for Excel. Also, drag the formula across the rows to get the desired output in terms of Present or Not Present. ExcelDemy is a place where you can learn Excel, and get solutions to your Excel & Excel VBA-related problems, Data Analysis with Excel, etc. If you want to have a free trial ( /* ]]> */, How to Compare Two Columns Using VLOOKUP Function in Excel, 2 Ways to Compare Two Columns Using VLOOKUP in Excel, 1. Let's take the same data set.