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How to compare two lists for differences in Excel and Google Sheets
Topic:Duplicates & uniquenessExcel & Google Sheets
=IF(COUNTIF($B$2:$B$6,A2)=0,"Not in List B","Matched")✓
Verified example
Computed by a real spreadsheet engine on the sample data below.
| List A | List B | Status A |
| Apple | Apple | |
| Banana | Cherry | |
| Cherry | Mango | |
| Date | Banana | |
| Elderberry | Fig |
=IF(COUNTIF($B$2:$B$6,A2)=0,"Not in List B","Matched")→Matched
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Step by step
- 1In a helper column beside List A (e.g., C2) enter =IF(COUNTIF($B$2:$B$6,A2)=0,"Not in List B","Matched").
- 2Copy the formula down all rows in List A to check every item.
- 3Repeat with a second helper column beside List B to find values in B that are missing from A: =IF(COUNTIF($A$2:$A$6,B2)=0,"Not in List A","Matched").
Tips
- For a quick visual comparison without a helper column, apply Conditional Formatting with =COUNTIF($B$2:$B$6,A2)=0 to List A to highlight values not found in List B.
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Frequently asked
Is the comparison case-sensitive?
No — COUNTIF is case-insensitive. Use EXACT inside a SUMPRODUCT if case sensitivity matters: =IF(SUMPRODUCT(--(EXACT($B$2:$B$6,A2)))=0,"Not Found","Matched").
How do I compare lists of different lengths?
Expand the COUNTIF range to the full length of the longer list, or use a named range for each list — the formula still works correctly.
More on Duplicates & uniqueness
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How-toHow to get a sorted list of unique values
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How-toUNIQUE function vs Remove Duplicates in Excel and Sheets
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