Compare two columns and highlight values in common
Author: Oscar Cronquist Article last updated on October 02, 2018
A conditional formatting formula highlights values in column B that also exist in column D.
=COUNTIF($D$3:$D$7,B3)
The same thing happens in column D, a conditional formatting formula highlights values in common between column B and D.
=COUNTIF($B$3:$B$7,D3)
How to highlight common values
- Select cell range B3:B7
- Go to tab "Home" on the ribbon if you are not there already
- Press with mouse on Conditional Formatting button
- Press with mouse on "New Rule..."
- Press with mouse on "Use a formula to determine which cells to format"
- Type: = COUNTIF($D$3:$D$7, B3)
- Press with mouse on "Format..." button
- Press with mouse on "Fill" tab.
- Pick a color
- Press with left mouse button on OK
- Press with left mouse button on OK
Repeat above steps with column D, the formula is at the top of this article.
Explaining conditional formatting formula
=COUNTIF($D$3:$D$7,B3)
The COUNTIF function counts how many times value in cell B3 is found in cell range $D$3:$D$7. B3 changes to B4 when Excel moves on to next cell below, however, that is not the case with $D$3:$D$7.
The $ dollar signs make this cell reference locked, in other words, it doesn't change.
The Conditional Formatting in Excel interprets all numbers except 0 as TRUE so if the COUNTIF function finds a value twice and returns 2 doesn't matter, it still highlights the cell.
Get excel *.xlsx file
Compare two columns and highlight matches.xlsx
This blog article is one out of five articles on the same subject.
- Filter values existing in range 1 but not in range 2 using array formula in excel
- Filter common values between two ranges using array formula in excel
- How to remove common values between two columns
- How to find common values from two lists
- Highlight common values in two lists using conditional formatting in excel
Cf compare category
How to highlight differences in price lists
Today I am going to show you how to quickly compare two tables using Conditional Formatting (CF). I am going […]
Today I am going to show you how to quickly compare two tables using Conditional Formatting (CF). I am going […]
Compare two lists of data: Highlight common records
In this blog post I will demonstrate a conditional formatting formula that will highlight common records in two lists. The […]
In this blog post I will demonstrate a conditional formatting formula that will highlight common records in two lists. The […]
Compare tables: Highlight records not in both tables
The image above demonstrates a conditional formatting formula that highlights records that only exist in one table. There are two […]
The image above demonstrates a conditional formatting formula that highlights records that only exist in one table. There are two […]
Compare two columns and highlight differences
This article demonstrates a conditional formatting formula that will highlight the differences between two columns. The image above shows two […]
This article demonstrates a conditional formatting formula that will highlight the differences between two columns. The image above shows two […]
Highlight missing values between to columns
The picture above shows two lists. How do I highlight values in List 1 that are not in List 2? […]
The picture above shows two lists. How do I highlight values in List 1 that are not in List 2? […]
Conditional formatting category
Highlight overlapping date ranges using conditional formatting
The image above demonstrates a conditional formatting formula that colors a record if there is at least one record that […]
The image above demonstrates a conditional formatting formula that colors a record if there is at least one record that […]
Count Conditionally Formatted cells
This article explains how to count cells highlighted with Conditional Formatting (CF). The image above shows data in cell range […]
This article explains how to count cells highlighted with Conditional Formatting (CF). The image above shows data in cell range […]
Highlight records based on overlapping date ranges and a condition
adam asks: Hi, I have a situation where I want to count if this value is duplicate and if it […]
adam asks: Hi, I have a situation where I want to count if this value is duplicate and if it […]
Highlight dates in a date range
Question: How do I highlight dates that meet criteria using conditional formatting? Table of contents Highlight values in a column […]
Question: How do I highlight dates that meet criteria using conditional formatting? Table of contents Highlight values in a column […]
Highlight closest number
This post demonstrates how to highlight records with the closest value to a criterion, you can also choose to highlight […]
This post demonstrates how to highlight records with the closest value to a criterion, you can also choose to highlight […]
How to highlight MAX and MIN value based on month
The image above shows rows highlighted based on value in column C being the largest or smallest in that particular […]
The image above shows rows highlighted based on value in column C being the largest or smallest in that particular […]
Highlight duplicate records
This article shows you how to easily identify duplicate rows or records in a list. What's on this webpage Conditional […]
This article shows you how to easily identify duplicate rows or records in a list. What's on this webpage Conditional […]
Highlight duplicates in a filtered Excel Table
The image above demonstrates a conditional formatting formula applied to an Excel Table containing random data. The Excel Table has […]
The image above demonstrates a conditional formatting formula applied to an Excel Table containing random data. The Excel Table has […]
Highlight every other row
Here is how to highlight every other row using conditional formatting. Conditional formatting formula: =ISEVEN(ROW())*OR($B3:$D3<>"") Alternative CF formula: =EVEN(ROW())=ROW() This […]
Here is how to highlight every other row using conditional formatting. Conditional formatting formula: =ISEVEN(ROW())*OR($B3:$D3<>"") Alternative CF formula: =EVEN(ROW())=ROW() This […]
Dynamic formatting
Question: I have a list that I keep adding rows to. How do i create a border that expands as […]
Question: I have a list that I keep adding rows to. How do i create a border that expands as […]
Highlight records – multiple criteria [OR logic]
The image above shows you how to highlight rows with multiple criteria using OR logic. The criteria are found in […]
The image above shows you how to highlight rows with multiple criteria using OR logic. The criteria are found in […]
Highlight lookup values
In this article, I will demonstrate how to search a table using conditional formatting. The criteria highlight matching column and […]
In this article, I will demonstrate how to search a table using conditional formatting. The criteria highlight matching column and […]
How to highlight differences in price lists
Today I am going to show you how to quickly compare two tables using Conditional Formatting (CF). I am going […]
Today I am going to show you how to quickly compare two tables using Conditional Formatting (CF). I am going […]
Highlight duplicates with same date, week or month
The image above demonstrates a conditional formatting formula that highlights duplicate items based on date. The first instance is not highlighted, […]
The image above demonstrates a conditional formatting formula that highlights duplicate items based on date. The first instance is not highlighted, […]
Working with Conditional Formatting formulas
In this post I am going to try to explain formula basics in conditional formatting. It is really good if […]
In this post I am going to try to explain formula basics in conditional formatting. It is really good if […]
How to highlight unique distinct values
The image above shows conditional formatting highlighting unique distinct values, duplicates are not highlighted. Conditional Formatting Formula: =COUNTIF($B$3:B3, B3)=1 The […]
The image above shows conditional formatting highlighting unique distinct values, duplicates are not highlighted. Conditional Formatting Formula: =COUNTIF($B$3:B3, B3)=1 The […]
How to change cell formatting using a Drop Down list
This article demonstrates how to apply different cell formatting to a cell range based on a Drop Down list, column […]
This article demonstrates how to apply different cell formatting to a cell range based on a Drop Down list, column […]
Compare two lists of data: Highlight common records
In this blog post I will demonstrate a conditional formatting formula that will highlight common records in two lists. The […]
In this blog post I will demonstrate a conditional formatting formula that will highlight common records in two lists. The […]
Compare tables: Highlight records not in both tables
The image above demonstrates a conditional formatting formula that highlights records that only exist in one table. There are two […]
The image above demonstrates a conditional formatting formula that highlights records that only exist in one table. There are two […]
Functions in this article
More than 1300 Excel formulas
Conditional Formatting categories
Highlight Cells RulesTop/Bottom RulesConditional Formatting featuresBasic Conditional Formatting formulasConditional Formatting Partial matchHighlight unique distinct values/recordsHighlight duplicatesComparing listsHighlight largest/smallest numberHighlight datesConditional Formatting examples
Excel categories
Latest updated articles.
More than 300 Excel functions with detailed information including syntax, arguments, return values, and examples for most of the functions used in Excel formulas.
More than 1300 formulas organized in subcategories.
Excel Tables simplifies your work with data, adding or removing data, filtering, totals, sorting, enhance readability using cell formatting, cell references, formulas, and more.
Allows you to filter data based on selected value , a given text, or other criteria. It also lets you filter existing data or move filtered values to a new location.
Lets you control what a user can type into a cell. It allows you to specifiy conditions and show a custom message if entered data is not valid.
Lets the user work more efficiently by showing a list that the user can select a value from. This lets you control what is shown in the list and is faster than typing into a cell.
Lets you name one or more cells, this makes it easier to find cells using the Name box, read and understand formulas containing names instead of cell references.
The Excel Solver is a free add-in that uses objective cells, constraints based on formulas on a worksheet to perform what-if analysis and other decision problems like permutations and combinations.
An Excel feature that lets you visualize data in a graph.
Format cells or cell values based a condition or criteria, there a multiple built-in Conditional Formatting tools you can use or use a custom-made conditional formatting formula.
Lets you quickly summarize vast amounts of data in a very user-friendly way. This powerful Excel feature lets you then analyze, organize and categorize important data efficiently.
VBA stands for Visual Basic for Applications and is a computer programming language developed by Microsoft, it allows you to automate time-consuming tasks and create custom functions.
A program or subroutine built in VBA that anyone can create. Use the macro-recorder to quickly create your own VBA macros.
UDF stands for User Defined Functions and is custom built functions anyone can create.
A list of all published articles.
3 Responses to “Compare two columns and highlight values in common”
Leave a Reply
How to comment
How to add a formula to your comment
<code>Insert your formula here.</code>
Convert less than and larger than signs
Use html character entities instead of less than and larger than signs.
< becomes < and > becomes >
How to add VBA code to your comment
[vb 1="vbnet" language=","]
Put your VBA code here.
[/vb]
How to add a picture to your comment:
Upload picture to postimage.org or imgur
Paste image link to your comment.
[…] Highlight common values in two lists using conditional formatting […]
Hai
What a surprise..!
I have visited so many websites, youtube channels for my problem.
I have a excel data that is 2 columns,
column 1 is 2,72,132 records
column 2 is 519 records
I have to highlight or select the records that 519 records which are column no.1
But No body have given correct suggesion.
All are given =Match() or =vlookup() formulas.
but not succeded.
At last your help has given correct result
Thank you for great help which is simple but valuable formula i.e., = COUNTIF($D$3:$D$7, B3).
Thanks once again
.. RAVINDER.
Hi
I have the data in two columns and I want to highlight column B value with using column A value if the value is higher than columns A highlight in column B by using condition formatting.
A B
20.00 3.68
100.00 138.84
85.00 102.70
51.00 2.04
8.00 3.27
10.00 14.00
15.00 10.62
kindly suggest the same.