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Remove Duplicates in Excel (3 Methods)

Remove Duplicates in Excel (3 Methods)

If you want to clean up your Excel data by removing duplicate entries, there are a few different ways to do it. Here are three methods, ranging from the easiest to the more complex.

1. Using the UNIQUE Formula

One of the easiest ways to remove duplicates is by using the UNIQUE formula. Here is how you can do it:

  1. Identify the table where you want to remove duplicates.
  2. Select a cell next to this table.
  3. Type =UNIQUE( and then highlight the entire table.
  4. Close the parenthesis and press Enter.

This formula will output a new table with all the duplicate values removed.

2. Using the "Remove Duplicates" Feature

Another simple way to remove duplicates is by using Excel's built-in "Remove Duplicates" feature:

  1. Click anywhere inside your table.
  2. Go to the "Data" tab in the toolbar.
  3. Click on "Remove Duplicates".
  4. Confirm by clicking "OK".

This will delete all the duplicate values directly from your original table.

3. Using Conditional Formatting

Conditional formatting offers a more visual way to identify and remove duplicates:

  1. First, select the entire table.
  2. Then, navigate to the "Home" tab.
  3. Click on "Conditional Formatting".
  4. Choose "Highlight Cell Rules" and then "Duplicate Values".
  5. Now, all duplicates will be highlighted in red.
  6. Use a filter to show only the cells that are colored in red.
  7. Manually delete these highlighted values.

These are three different methods you can use to remove duplicates in Excel. Let us know in the comments which method you prefer!

Keywords

  • Excel
  • Remove duplicates
  • UNIQUE formula
  • Conditional formatting
  • Data cleanup

FAQ

Q: What is the easiest way to remove duplicates in Excel?
A: The easiest way is to use the UNIQUE formula. Just type =UNIQUE( and highlight your table to quickly remove duplicates.

Q: How do I remove duplicates directly in the original table?
A: You can use the "Remove Duplicates" feature by going to the "Data" tab and then clicking "Remove Duplicates".

Q: How can I visually identify duplicates before removing them?
A: Use Conditional Formatting to highlight duplicate values. Navigate to "Home" > "Conditional Formatting" > "Highlight Cell Rules" > "Duplicate Values". Filter and manually delete the highlighted duplicates.

Q: Do these methods work for entire tables or just specific columns?
A: These methods can be applied to both entire tables and specific columns, depending on how you select your data range.

Q: Will the UNIQUE formula delete the duplicates from the original table?
A: No, the UNIQUE formula will create a new table without duplicates while leaving the original table unchanged.

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