Microsoft Excel can be an incredible, powerful tool to analyse large amounts of information with just a click and tap of a few buttons. While it may look intimidating, there are many simple, easy to use functions to get you started.
One of our favourite tools is the duplicate values analysis. This function makes it easy to find duplicate data, by highlighting cells that contain the same text/value as other cells.
We often use this function in conducting quality assurance checks.
Here’s an example:
An index is listing 200 documents, along with disclosure where only 198 documents are handed over. A quick and easy way to identify the 2 missing documents is to run a file name duplicate analysis against the index and the documents provided.
To use this function, all you need to do is:
- Select the cells you want to check for duplicate values.
- Click the “Home” Tab.
- Hit the “Conditional Formatting” drop down menu.
- Select “Highlight Cell Rules” and then “Duplicate Values”.
- Choose which format the duplicate values are to be displayed in and click “OK”.
Any duplicate entries in your selected cells will be highlighted, and your colleagues and clients will be impressed.
For more assistance contact:
Emma Swiatlo
Technology Consultant