+ Reply to Thread
Results 1 to 2 of 2

Full name match between files

  1. #1
    Registered User
    Join Date
    10-28-2008
    Location
    there
    Posts
    1

    Full name match between files

    Hi folks, I've got a scenario I need help with. I've got an Excel file containing names, last names in column C and first names in column D. I've got another file containing a different list of names in the same format. What I want to do is check if the full names in file 2 match any of the full names in file 1.

    Here's an example:

    File 1:
    DOE | JOHN |
    DOE | JANE |

    File 2:
    DOE | JOHN | MATCH
    DOE | ANDY |

    I'm looking for a formula that will see if the values in that row of column C and D in file 2 match any rows in column C and D of file 1. So if there's a JOHN DOE in file 1, the formula will return "MATCH" or some confirmation that the names are in both lists, and return blank if the full name isn't in file 1. I tried all kinds of combinations of VLOOKUP, EXACT, FIND, MATCH, AND, IF, and ISNA, but the best I've come up with is two separate lookups and a check if both matched. The problem with that is that if I'm looking for JOHN DOE and there's someone with the last name of DOE and the first name of JOHN, the check will return true even if the matches aren't in adjacent cels in the same row. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

  2. #2
    Forum Expert NBVC's Avatar
    Join Date
    12-06-2006
    Location
    Mississauga, CANADA
    MS-Off Ver
    2003:2010
    Posts
    34,898
    You can add a helper column to each file concatenating the last name to the first name and then using Match() to indicate if a match is found, eg. =MATCH(E1,Sheet1!$E$1:$E$100,0)

    Or you can use an array formula like this:

    =MATCH(C1&D1,Sheet1!$C$1:$C$100&$D$1:$D$100,0)

    Adjust ranges to suit and confirm with CTRL+SHIFT+ENTER instead of just ENTER.

    Note: If you surround either formula in an ISNUMBER() function, you will get TRUE/FALSE returns indicating if match is found or not.
    Where there is a will there are many ways.

    If you are happy with the results, please add to the contributor's reputation by clicking the reputation icon (star icon) below left corner

    Please also mark the thread as Solved once it is solved. Check the FAQ's to see how.

+ Reply to Thread

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts

Search Engine Friendly URLs by vBSEO 3.6.0 RC 1