Extract a unique distinct list from three columns in excel
Question: How do I extract a unique distinct list from three ranges or lists? The ranges are not necessarily adjacent or the exact same length.
Answer:
- Extract a unique distinct list from three columns
- Extract a unique distinct list from three columns with possible blanks
Extract a unique distinct list from three columns
Array formula in D2:
Extract a unique distinct list from three columns with possible blanks
Array formula in D2:
How to enter an array formula
- Select cell D2
- Click in formula bar
- Paste array formula to formula bar
- Press and hold CTRL + SHIFT
- Press ENTER
How to copy array formula
Copy cell D2 and paste it down as far as needed.
How to customize the array formula to your excel spreadsheet
Change named ranges. If your duplicates list starts at, for example, F3. Change D1:$D$1 in the above formulas to F2:$F$2.
Download excel sample file for this tutorial
how-to-extract-a-unique-list-from-three-columns-in-excelv2.xlsx
(Excel 2007 Workbook *.xlsx)
Functions in this article:
MATCH(lookup_value;lookup_array; [match_type]
Returns the relative position of an item in an array that matches a specified value
INDEX(array,row_num,[column_num])
Returns a value or reference of the cell at the intersection of a particular row and column, in a given range
COUNTIF(range,criteria)
Counts the number of cells within a range that meet the given condition
IFERROR(value;value_if_error)
Returns value_if_error if expression is an error and the value of the expression itself otherwise
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Extract a list of duplicates from three columns combined using array formula in excel
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hello,
i´m looking for a solution for this problem (with 7 cols) for excel 2003. One problem: the lists in the columns sometimes have empty cells in between.
Hope you can help...
Thank you
Harold
Hello Harold!
I think that would require vba. Post your question in a forum like http://www.excelforum.com/. I am sure they can help you.
Thank you for your comment!
/Oscar
I need to improve my vba skills...
Harold,
Maybe this blog post can help you?
http://www.get-digital-help.com/2009/09/16/extract-a-unique-distinct-list-sorted-alphabetically-removing-blanks-from-a-range-in-excel/
Dear, Oscar,
I have a two ranges/lists. How to extract the same values from other range contained in two ranges (without VBA)?
Can you help?
Rita,
unique-distinct-and-common-values-from-two-ranges.xls
That is what I wanted.
Thanks for your quick reply, Oscar!
Rita.
Oscar,
Could you modify you formula to use it with criterion?
e.g. - criterion for GG and II from your reply is QWERTY in A:A column, bun in B:B are other criteria in coincidence with one II.
Can you help?
Rita,
I am not sure I understand. Can you provide an example and desired outcome?
UNIQUE DISTINCT AND COMMON VALUES FROM TWO RANGES USING CRITERION
CRITERIA List1 CRITERIA List2 Common values with criterion:
for for
list 1 list2
other AA QWERTY GG GG
other BB other HH JJ
other CC other II #error!
QWERTY GG QWERTY JJ
other EE other KK
other FF other LL
other GG other MM
other HH other YY
QWERTY II other OO
QWERTY JJ other PP
Thank's.
Ohh, sorry!
Another stucture when posting.
Rita,
See attached file:
unique-distinct-and-common-values-from-two-ranges.xlsx
Not exactly, Oscar.
Because the G:G range didn't exclude HH value (HH="other").
What I want it so that the G:G range only have a values with QWERTY criterion.
Thanks anyway.
But you're still help me?
Rita,
See attached file:
unique-distinct-and-common-values-from-two-ranges1.xlsx
Yes, thank you, Oscar!
Hi, Oscar!
If we replace this part *(COUNTIF($J$1,$A$2:$A$11)>0) of the formula by *(IF($J$1=$D$2:$D$11,ROW($E$2:$E$11))), formula will work more correctly with big ranges.
Oscar, I need your help.
How to modify this formula - {INDEX($E$2:$E$11,MATCH(0,COUNTIF($G$1:G1,$E$2:$E$11)+COUNTIF($B$2:$B$11,$E$2:$E$11),0))} that it works with criterion "OTHER" from your last attached example file? I need values from List2 with "other" criterion are not in List1 with "other" criterion.
The rusult is II. Because in List2 II with "other" criterion, but in List1 II with "QWERTY" criterion, that's what I want - II.
Can you help?
Rita,
Your question is really interesting! But I have no answer! That makes it even more interesting.
Thanks anyway, Oscar.
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Hi Oscar,
I am really amazed to see your examples in the thread "Extract a unique distinct list from three columns with possible blanks". However, Do you have the working example file for excel 2003 version? I tried to manipulate your formula used in excel 2007 but failed to get the result. Appreciate if you can share one please.
Regards,
vidya
Vidya Shankar,
how-to-extract-a-unique-list-from-three-columns-in-excelv2-excel-2003.xls