{"id":9212,"date":"2022-11-08T14:38:00","date_gmt":"2022-11-08T14:38:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/arliemediadesign.com\/?p=9212"},"modified":"2025-03-29T09:20:35","modified_gmt":"2025-03-29T09:20:35","slug":"how-to-compare-lists-of-data-and-find-differences-in-excel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.happy.co.uk\/blogs\/how-to-compare-lists-of-data-and-find-differences-in-excel\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Compare Lists of Data and Find Differences in Excel"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Generally Conditional Formatting allows you to format cells that meet a given condition or criteria. But it can be used to highlight values in a list that do not appear in another, too:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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To do this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Select the cells that you wish to apply Conditional Formatting to<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. From the Home tab click on the Conditional Formatting Button<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Choose New Rule
    The New Formatting Rule (dialog box appears)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Select use a formula to determine which cells to format<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Enter the formula =A3<>’Database 2′!A3<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. Change the formatting of the cells (as required<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  7. Click OK.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
    \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    This scenario identifies some differences and highlights the cells.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    If your sheets are in the same workbook you will need to show both sheets on the screen at the same time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    To show both sheets in same workbook:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    1. Click View Tab > New Window (opens same sheet a second time)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. Go back to View Tab > Arrange All > Select Vertical > Click OK<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
      \"\"\/<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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      You can also have a scenario where the sheets are in different workbooks but you can\u2019t use Conditional Formatting across workbooks. It will need a logical formula to find the differences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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      Find out more on our Excel Level 4 course<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      Join us on our interactive and engaging Expert Excel Core Level 4<\/a> full-day course (split over two half-days) to learn how to build more complex calculations that will deepen your understanding and help you feel more confident with problem-solving in Excel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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      Related blogs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n