Compare Two Columns in Excel Using VLOOKUP

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Blog Author :

Jeevan A Y

Edited by :

Ashish Kumar Srivastav

Reviewed by :

Dheeraj Vaidya, CFA, FRM

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VLOOKUP to Compare Two Columns in Excel & Find Matches

When it comes to comparing one thing with another in Excel, LOOKUP functions are the kings, and VLOOKUP is the household formula for all Excel users. However, not many of us use VLOOKUP to the full extent. Yes, we say full extent because there is much more than traditional VLOOKUP. We can do many other things with the VLOOKUP Excel function. So in this article, we will show you ways of comparing two columns of data in Excel using the VLOOKUP function.

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Compare Two Columns in Excel Using Vlookup (Find Matches)

VLOOKUP is the LOOKUP function is used to fetch the data often. Still, not many of us use it as the data of a comparing column.

The steps to compare two columns in Excel using VLOOKUP are as follows:

  1. First, when the two column's data are lined up like below, we can use the VLOOKUP function to see whether column 1 includes column 2.


    Compare Two Columns in Excel Example 1

  2. We must match whether "List A" contains all the "List B" values. We can do this by using the VLOOKUP function. So, we must open the VLOOKUP function first.


    Compare Two Columns in Excel Example 1-1

  3. Our LOOKUP value will be the C2 cell value because we are comparing whether "List A" contains all the "List B" values, so choose the C2 cell reference.


    Compare Two Columns in Excel Example 1-2

  4. The table array will be "List A" cell values, so select the range of cells from A2 to A9 and make it an absolute cell reference.


    Compare Two Columns in Excel Example 1-3

  5. Next is the "Col Index Num," i.e., from the selected table array from which column we need the result. Since we have chosen only one column, our "Col Index Num" will be 1.


    Compare Two Columns in Excel Example 1-4

  6. We are looking for the range LOOKUP for an exact match. So, we must choose "FALSE" as the argument, or we can insert 0 as the argument value.


    Compare Two Columns in Excel Example 1-5

  7. We are done with the formula, so we must close the bracket and press the "Enter" key to get the result.


    Compare Two Columns in Excel Example 1-6

So, wherever we have got #N/A, those values do not exist in the "List A" column.

But, look at the row number 7 value in "List B" is "Mind Tree," but in "List A," the same company name is written in full words as "Mind Tree Software Co." (cell A6). So in such cases, the VLOOKUP Excel cannot work.

VLOOKUP in Excel Video Explanation

 

Partial Lookup Using Wildcard Characters

As seen above, VLOOKUP requires the LOOKUP value to be the same in both "List A" and "List B." So even if there is any extra space or character, it cannot match the result. But the same VLOOKUP formula can match two columns of data if we provide wildcard characters for the LOOKUP value.

So, that wildcard character is an asterisk (*); while providing the lookup value before and after the lookup value, we need to concatenate this wildcard character.

Using Wildcard Characters 1

As we can see above, we have concatenated the LOOKUP value with a special wildcard character asterisk (*) before and after the LOOKUP value using the ampersand (&) symbol.

Using Wildcard Characters 1-1

Now, we must complete the formula by following the already shown steps.

Look at the results; in the previous example, we got errors in rows 2 and 7, but we have a result this time.

  • You must be wondering how this is possible.
  • It is mainly because of the wildcard character asterisk (*). This wildcard matches any number of characters for the provided value. For example, look at the value in the C3 cell. It says "CCD," and in cell A5, we have the full company name as "Coffeeday Global Ltd (CCD)." Because in the table array, we have the word "CCD," a wildcard that matches this short form company name word with the full company name in "List B."
  • Similarly, in cell C7, we have the company name "Mind Tree," but in "List A" (A6 cell), we have the full company name as "Mind Tree Software Co," so there are extra characters in "List A." Since we have provided wildcard characters, it has matched the remaining portion of a word and returned the full result.
  • Note: This wildcard method is not recommended because it can go wrong. So, unless we are sure about the data, please do not use it and rely on it.

Things to Remember

  • VLOOKUP can match if only the LOOKUP is the same as the table array.
  • Wildcard character asterisk can match any number of characters if the same string of words is available with a table array.
  • VLOOKUP does not necessarily require all the cell values to be neatly sorted and organized alphabetically.