How to Find & Remove Duplicate Records in Excel 2007

[midnightclear1]

Thank you very much this was so well explained and helpful.

I cant seem to find anything that is easy to follow where you want to remove duplicate data fro say for example multiple worksheets in the same workbook.Do you have any suggestions please - thank you

[DannyRocksExcels]

@midnightclear1

Thank you. I am pleased that you enjoyed my explanation.

Re: Removing Duplicates from Multiple Worksheets. No, I do not know of an technique for this. Nor, do I think that this is possible. In addition, I would not advise you to try this if it were possible.

As I explain in the tutorial - Ultimately, YOU must make the final decision about what is and what is NOT a duplicate record.

I always recommend that you delete duplicate records from a back-up copy.

[midnightclear1]

@DannyRocksExcels

Thank you again for taking the time to reply

[RevolutionBreeze100]

This was fantastic!! so clearly explained .. thank you so much ..

[DannyRocksExcels]

@RevolutionBreeze100

Thank you for your kind words. I appreciate you takiing the time to add your comments.

Danny Rocks

The Company Rocks

[MrRriche]

what if the duplicate is written in a different format like for example, i have JOHN, DOE and DOES JOHN, and JOHN, DOES SR.,,,all are the same people how would i highlight them all.

[DannyRocksExcels]

@MrRriche

Well, you present several problems here:

1) Ultimately, you need to apply "human intelligence" to determine which items TRULY are duplicate records and which are the same - albeit, sloppily entered, data values.

2) I am presuming - in your example - that you have 1st name, last name and Jr / Sr. in one cell - Rather than the best practice of maintaining your records in discrete fields - e.g. 1st Name Field, Last Name Field, etc.

3) Use Wildcards * = multiple characters; ? = single.

[myunlu1]

Hi I really find your videos very useful. I was wondering if you could please let me know how I can apply duplicate removal in excel 2003?

[DannyRocksExcels]

@myunlu1

Thank you for your kind words - I really appreciate you writing to tell me that you enjoy my videos.

Quickly, removing duplicate records so quickly is one of the major reasons to upgrade to Excel 2007 or Excel 2010.

In Excel 2003, you use ConditionFormatting to first identify records that are duplicates, then you - unfortunately - have do delete them one at a time.

I have had several viewersask me how to do this in Excel 2003. I will create a video for this in a few days.