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How to count duplicate values in Excel and Google Sheets
Excel & Google Sheets
=COUNTIF(A2:A6,A2)✓
Verified example
Computed by a real spreadsheet engine on the sample data below.
| Name |
| Alice |
| Bob |
| Alice |
| Carol |
| Bob |
=COUNTIF(A2:A6,A2)→2
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Step by step
- 1Place your list of values in column A (A2:A6).
- 2In B2 type =COUNTIF($A$2:$A$6,A2) and press Enter. This counts how many times the value in A2 appears in the full list.
- 3Copy B2 down to B3:B6. Cells showing 2 or more indicate duplicates; cells showing 1 are unique.
Tips
- To count the total number of duplicate entries (all instances of repeated values): =SUMPRODUCT((COUNTIF(A2:A6,A2:A6)>1)*1).
- To count only the number of distinct duplicated values (not the total instances): =SUMPRODUCT((COUNTIF(A2:A6,A2:A6)>1)/COUNTIF(A2:A6,A2:A6)).
- Use Conditional Formatting (Home > Conditional Formatting > Highlight Cells Rules > Duplicate Values) to visually flag duplicates without formulas.
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Frequently asked
How do I count duplicates in two separate columns?
Use COUNTIFS: =COUNTIFS(A2:A6,A2,B2:B6,B2) counts rows where both A and B match the current row's values.
Does COUNTIF for duplicates work with numbers?
Yes — COUNTIF works with numbers, text, and dates.