1. Begin by opening the Excel workbook that contains the columns you want to compare.
2. Next, select the first blank cell in a new column where you want the comparison results to appear.
3. Type the formula =IF(A2=B2,TRUE) in the selected cell, where A2 and B2 are the first cells of the columns you want to compare and hit ENTER.
4. Click the small square at the bottom right of the cell to drag the formula down and apply it to the rest of the column.
5. Review the comparison results displayed in the new column. Each result will show 'TRUE' or 'FALSE' based on the comparison.
6. Enjoyed the guided demo?
This interactive demo/guided walkthrough on How to Compare Two Columns in Excel was created using Supademo.
How to Compare Two Columns in Excel : Step-by-Step Guide
Start by opening your Excel workbook where your data is stored. Locate the columns you want to compare so you can prepare for the next steps.
Find an empty cell in a new column—ideally beside your existing data—where you want the comparison results to be displayed. This will be the place where your formula’s output appears.
In that blank cell, enter the formula =IF(A2=B2,TRUE). Replace A2 and B2 with the first row cells of the columns you want to compare. Once typed in, press ENTER to see the initial comparison result.
To apply this comparison across all rows, click the small square handle in the lower right corner of the formula cell. Drag it down through the column to extend the formula to the rest of your data range.
Look over the results in your new column. Each cell will show TRUE if the compared cells match, or FALSE if there’s a difference. This makes it easy to spot discrepancies at a glance.
Hope this walkthrough was helpful in guiding you through comparing columns in Excel! Feel free to explore the results and let us know if you want to try out more features.
Create your own interactive demos in < 5 mins with Supademo
You can create your own interactive product demo in minutes using Supademo. Drive growth, scale enablement, and supercharge product-led onboarding with Supademo. Sign up for free here with no credit card required.
FAQs
What is the easiest way to compare two columns in Excel?
The easiest way is by using the formula =IF(A2=B2,TRUE) in a new column, which returns TRUE if cells are equal and FALSE if not, allowing you to quickly identify matches and differences.
Can I compare columns with different data types in Excel?
Excel can compare values across different data types, but mismatched types (e.g., text vs. number) typically result in FALSE. Ensure columns contain comparable data types for accurate results.
How do I highlight differences between two columns?
Use Conditional Formatting with a formula like =A2<>B2 applied to one column. Differences will be highlighted, making it easier to visualize mismatches instantly.
What if my columns contain blanks? Will the comparison work?
If one or both cells are blank, the formula considers blanks as values. Blank vs. blank is TRUE; blank vs. a value is FALSE. Adjust the formula if you want to treat blanks differently.
Is there a way to show custom messages instead of TRUE or FALSE?
Yes! Modify the formula like =IF(A2=B2,"Match","No Match") to display custom text messages instead of TRUE or FALSE for easier interpretation.
Can I compare columns that are in different worksheets?
Absolutely! Reference cells across sheets in your formula, for example, =IF(Sheet1!A2=Sheet2!B2,TRUE), to perform comparisons between worksheets.
How do I quickly fill the comparison formula for hundreds of rows?
After entering the formula in the first cell, drag the fill handle (small square at cell bottom-right) down to cover your desired range or double-click it to fill automatically down adjacent data.
Does comparing columns with formulas affect workbook performance?
For large datasets, extensive formulas may slow down performance. It’s best to limit formula use or convert formulas to values after comparison to improve speed.
What are alternatives to the IF formula for comparing columns?
You can use formulas like =A2=B2 directly for TRUE/FALSE results or Conditional Formatting and the COUNTIF function to highlight differences or track unique values.
Can I compare columns ignoring case sensitivity?
Excel’s basic equality check is case-insensitive for text. To perform case-sensitive comparison, use =EXACT(A2,B2) which returns TRUE only if text matches exactly, including case.