How to Find Similar Text in Two Columns in Excel (6 Ways)

We often need to find similar texts in two columns in Excel. Well, there are quite a few handy techniques to do that. I am going to discuss 5 different methods to identify similar texts or characters in two columns in Excel.

Find Similar Text in Two Columns in Excel Using IFERROR Function

To find similar texts in two columns in Excel, follow these steps below:

1. Insert a new column (Column C). 
2. Then, write the following formula in its first cell (C2): =IFERROR(IF(SEARCH(A2,B2),”Present”),”Absent”)
3. Now, press ENTER.
4. Then drag the Fill Handle down till the end of the column (C2:C10).

Find Similar Text in Two Columns in Excel by IFERROR & SEARCH Functions

Here is an example of a dataset regarding building facilities. I need to find if the texts of Column A are available in Column B or not.

To find the matching texts inside the two columns, I used the SEARCH function and IFERROR function.

Syntax

=IFERROR(IF(SEARCH(find_text,within text)[true_value],[false_value])

Only the SEARCH function could do the work of finding the same texts. But that will show #VALUE! when matches won’t be found in the two adjacent cells.

So to get rid of this problem, I applied the IFERROR function here. This will show the True_values as Present, and False_values as Absent.

To find the similar text in two columns in Excel using IFERROR & SEARCH function, follow the steps below:

1. Insert a new column (Column C) adjacent to the main data table to show the results.
2. Write the following formula in its first cell (cell C2): =IFERROR(IF(SEARCH(A2,B2),”Present”),”Absent”)
3. Now press ENTER. 
4. Then put the cursor over the Fill Handle, the tiny ‘+’ sign at the right-bottom corner of the C2 cell, and drag it down from cell C2 to C10.

The presence of similar texts resulted in the Present, and the dissimilarities are termed Absent.

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Find Similar Text in Two Columns in Excel with IF, MID & SEARCH Functions

If you are looking for a way that will pull out the exact same texts lying inside the adjacent columns, you can use this method.

For this occasion, I am using the previously shown example datasheet. The IF function will check the presence and absence of similar texts. 

Syntax

IF(logical_test,[value_if_true],[value_if_false])

As I have 3 columns, I will be using a MID function that will detect the matched words from the left column with the mid one, in terms of the right column.

Here, the MID function syntax is,

MID(text,start_number,number_characters)

Formula Explanation

• Text: is the text string that has the texts you want to extract
• Start_number: is the array of the first text.
• Number_characters: defines the number of characters you want to draw out from the middle column. 

To use the IF, MID & SEARCH functions to find similar text in two columns, follow this guideline below:

1. Create a new column (Column D) next to the dataset.
2. Then apply this formula in its top cell (D2): =IF(C2=”Present”,MID(B2,SEARCH(A2,B2),LEN(A2)),” “)
3. Now, press ENTER.
4. Drag the Fill Handle down from cell D2 to D10.

The exactly matched text strings will appear on the cells where they are available, and unmatched results will show as empty strings.

Find Similar Text in Columns in Excel Using Find Command

It is a quick technique that can find out your demanded texts or characters from the entire datasheet. I am using a simple dataset as an example here. But no doubt, your worksheet will be way more complex in reality.

Find similar text in columns in Excel, go through these steps below:

1. Go to the Home tab.
2. From the Editing group, click on the Find & Select drop-down list.
3. Select Find.
4. In the Find and Replace dialog box, write the text that you are looking for inside the Find What box.
5. Press the Find All button.

I searched for the word ‘Kiwi’ and all the text strings containing ‘kiwi’ come along in the extended part of the dialogue box.

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Find Texts of 2 Adjoining Columns in Separate Column in Excel by VLOOKUP Function

This method will help you find similar texts in two distinct columns and place their adjoining values in another data column with its previous arrangement.

Formula

=VLOOKUP(E4,$A$2:$B$13,2,0)

Formula Breakdown

• E4: is the lookup value.
• $A$2:$B$13: is the table array.
• 2: is the column index number, which depends on the column headers.
• 0: is the range lookup.

Use the VLOOKUP function to find texts of two adjoining columns:

1. Select cell E4.
2. Write the following formula: =VLOOKUP(E4,$A$2:$B$13,2,0)
3. Then, press the ENTER key.
4. Put the cursor over the Fill Handle and drag it down from cell E4 to E8.

The formula is now applied to the entire column.

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Find Similar Text in Two Columns in Excel by TRUE-FALSE Logical Formula

I am using a list of fruits from which I will be uncovering the same fruit names using the TRUE-FALSE logical formula.

Find similar text in two columns using the TRUE and FALSE logical formula using these steps:

1. First, create a new column (Column C).
2. Then, insert the following formula in its first cell (C2): =A2=B2
3. Press the ENTER key.
4. Then, drag down the Fill Handle over the rest of the cells (C2:C13).

If the cells got similar texts, the result is TRUE. If the cells mismatch, the result is FALSE. The outcome looks something like this:

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Conclusion

Microsoft Excel offers several other ways to easily find similar words in your worksheet. But I tried to cover the most useful ones in this article. If you have any suggestions and more techniques that I can add to this blog, do share them with me in the comment section. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find two similar cells in Excel?

To find two similar cells in Excel, you can use Conditional Formatting. Here’s a concise guide:

1. Click on the first cell of the range you want to check for similarity.
2. Go to the Home tab in the Excel ribbon.
3. Click on Conditional Formatting.
4. Hover over Highlight Cells Rules.
5. Select Duplicate Values from the submenu.
6. In the Duplicate Values dialog box, select formatting options. For example, choose a fill color.
   Click OK to apply the formatting.

Excel will highlight cells with similar content based on your chosen formatting. This method quickly identifies and highlights cells with similar content, making it easy to spot duplicates or similarities in your Excel data. Adjust formatting options as needed for your preference.

How do I find matching values in two columns in Excel?

To find matching values in two columns in Excel, you can use the VLOOKUP or MATCH functions. Here’s a concise guide:

1. Choose a column where you want to display the matching values.
2. Type the following formula: =IFERROR(VLOOKUP(A1, B:B, 1, FALSE), “”)
   Here A1 is the cell in the first column you want to check, and B:B is the range of the second column.
3. Drag the formula down to apply it to the entire column.
4. The new column will display matching values from the first column that are also present in the second column. Blank cells indicate no match.
   Alternatively, you can use the MATCH function in a similar way: =IFERROR(IF(MATCH(A1, B:B, 0), A1, “”), “”)

This method allows you to quickly identify matching values between two columns in Excel, providing a clear result in a separate column. Adjust the formulas based on your specific column and cell references.

How do I match partial text in two columns in Excel?

To match partial text in two columns in Excel, you can use the IF and SEARCH functions. Here’s a concise guide:

1. Choose a column where you want to display the matching partial text.
2. Type the following formula: =IF(ISNUMBER(SEARCH(A1, B1)), A1, “”)
   Here, A1 is the cell in the first column you want to check, and B1 is the corresponding cell in the second column.
3. Drag the formula down to apply it to the entire column.
   The new column will display partial text matches from the first column that are found within the corresponding cells in the second column. Blank cells indicate no match.

This method allows you to identify partial text matches between two columns in Excel, providing a clear result in a separate column. Adjust the formulas based on your specific column and cell references.