comparing 2 excel files

[Lynn]

Hi,
I have 2 excel files which contains a list of 500 computer names. How can i
run a script to compare the contents and list out the differences between
these 2 files?

sample content of the file:
computer1
computer2
computer3
computer4
..... and so on....

pls advice. thanks

 

[Dave Peterson]

You could use a helper column in each worksheet that looks to see if there was a
match in the other:

One formula would look like this:

=ISNUMBER(MATCH(A1,'[my book2.xls]Sheet1'!$A:$A,0))

(adjust the workbook name and worksheet name to match the other
workbook/worksheet)

Then do the same kind of thing in the other workbook, but point at the first.

If you need more, Chip Pearson has a bunch of techniques (including macros):
http://www.cpearson.com/excel/duplicat.htm

 

[Lynn]

can't able to get it work. are you able to get me some step by step
instructions?

You could use a helper column in each worksheet that looks to see if there was a
match in the other:

One formula would look like this:

=ISNUMBER(MATCH(A1,'[my book2.xls]Sheet1'!$A:$A,0))

(adjust the workbook name and worksheet name to match the other
workbook/worksheet)

Then do the same kind of thing in the other workbook, but point at the first.

If you need more, Chip Pearson has a bunch of techniques (including macros):
http://www.cpearson.com/excel/duplicat.htm

Hi,
I have 2 excel files which contains a list of 500 computer names. How can i
run a script to compare the contents and list out the differences between
these 2 files?

sample content of the file:
computer1
computer2
computer3
computer4
.... and so on....

pls advice. thanks

 

[Dave Peterson]

When you say you can't get it to work, does that mean the formula returns an
error? Or can you not enter the formula at all?

Did you remember to change the workbook names and the sheet names ("my
book2.xls" and "sheet1" were probably not the names that you used.)

Maybe post back a little more detail.

Names of workbooks, names of worksheets in each workbook and what column the
data is in (for both worksheets).

Then post your attempt at each formula.

can't able to get it work. are you able to get me some step by step
instructions?

You could use a helper column in each worksheet that looks to see if there was a
match in the other:

One formula would look like this:

=ISNUMBER(MATCH(A1,'[my book2.xls]Sheet1'!$A:$A,0))

(adjust the workbook name and worksheet name to match the other
workbook/worksheet)

Then do the same kind of thing in the other workbook, but point at the first.

If you need more, Chip Pearson has a bunch of techniques (including macros):
http://www.cpearson.com/excel/duplicat.htm

Hi,
I have 2 excel files which contains a list of 500 computer names. How can i
run a script to compare the contents and list out the differences between
these 2 files?

sample content of the file:
computer1
computer2
computer3
computer4
.... and so on....

pls advice. thanks

 

[Lynn]

sorry ..
i pasted ISNUMBER(MATCH(A1,'[my book2.xls]Sheet1'!$A:$A,0))
but when i hit enter nothing happens

When you say you can't get it to work, does that mean the formula returns an
error? Or can you not enter the formula at all?

Did you remember to change the workbook names and the sheet names ("my
book2.xls" and "sheet1" were probably not the names that you used.)

Maybe post back a little more detail.

Names of workbooks, names of worksheets in each workbook and what column the
data is in (for both worksheets).

Then post your attempt at each formula.

can't able to get it work. are you able to get me some step by step
instructions?

You could use a helper column in each worksheet that looks to see if

there
was a

match in the other:

One formula would look like this:

=ISNUMBER(MATCH(A1,'[my book2.xls]Sheet1'!$A:$A,0))

(adjust the workbook name and worksheet name to match the other
workbook/worksheet)

Then do the same kind of thing in the other workbook, but point at the first.

If you need more, Chip Pearson has a bunch of techniques (including macros):
http://www.cpearson.com/excel/duplicat.htm

Lynn wrote:

Hi,
I have 2 excel files which contains a list of 500 computer names.

How
can i

run a script to compare the contents and list out the differences between
these 2 files?

sample content of the file:
computer1
computer2
computer3
computer4
.... and so on....

pls advice. thanks

 

[Dave Peterson]

Try starting the formula with an = (equal sign)

Remember to change the workbook name and the sheet name, too.

sorry ..
i pasted ISNUMBER(MATCH(A1,'[my book2.xls]Sheet1'!$A:$A,0))
but when i hit enter nothing happens

When you say you can't get it to work, does that mean the formula returns an
error? Or can you not enter the formula at all?

Did you remember to change the workbook names and the sheet names ("my
book2.xls" and "sheet1" were probably not the names that you used.)

Maybe post back a little more detail.

Names of workbooks, names of worksheets in each workbook and what column the
data is in (for both worksheets).

Then post your attempt at each formula.

can't able to get it work. are you able to get me some step by step
instructions?

You could use a helper column in each worksheet that looks to see if there
was a
match in the other:

One formula would look like this:

=ISNUMBER(MATCH(A1,'[my book2.xls]Sheet1'!$A:$A,0))

(adjust the workbook name and worksheet name to match the other
workbook/worksheet)

Then do the same kind of thing in the other workbook, but point at the
first.

If you need more, Chip Pearson has a bunch of techniques (including
macros):
http://www.cpearson.com/excel/duplicat.htm

Lynn wrote:

Hi,
I have 2 excel files which contains a list of 500 computer names. How
can i
run a script to compare the contents and list out the differences
between
these 2 files?

sample content of the file:
computer1
computer2
computer3
computer4
.... and so on....

pls advice. thanks

 

[Lynn]

do you mean
naming the file1 as "my book1.xls" and file2 as "my book2.xls" ?

Try starting the formula with an = (equal sign)

Remember to change the workbook name and the sheet name, too.

sorry ..
i pasted ISNUMBER(MATCH(A1,'[my book2.xls]Sheet1'!$A:$A,0))
but when i hit enter nothing happens

When you say you can't get it to work, does that mean the formula

returns
an

error? Or can you not enter the formula at all?

Did you remember to change the workbook names and the sheet names ("my
book2.xls" and "sheet1" were probably not the names that you used.)

Maybe post back a little more detail.

Names of workbooks, names of worksheets in each workbook and what

column
the

data is in (for both worksheets).

Then post your attempt at each formula.



Lynn wrote:

can't able to get it work. are you able to get me some step by step
instructions?

You could use a helper column in each worksheet that looks to see

if
there

was a
match in the other:

One formula would look like this:

=ISNUMBER(MATCH(A1,'[my book2.xls]Sheet1'!$A:$A,0))

(adjust the workbook name and worksheet name to match the other
workbook/worksheet)

Then do the same kind of thing in the other workbook, but point at the
first.

If you need more, Chip Pearson has a bunch of techniques (including
macros):
http://www.cpearson.com/excel/duplicat.htm

Lynn wrote:

Hi,
I have 2 excel files which contains a list of 500 computer

names.
How

can i
run a script to compare the contents and list out the differences
between
these 2 files?

sample content of the file:
computer1
computer2
computer3
computer4
.... and so on....

pls advice. thanks

 

[Dave Peterson]

You wrote that the worksheets were in different workbooks. Use the actual name
of your workbook and worksheet in each formula.

Don't change the names to match the formula--change the formula to match your
names.

do you mean
naming the file1 as "my book1.xls" and file2 as "my book2.xls" ?

Try starting the formula with an = (equal sign)

Remember to change the workbook name and the sheet name, too.

sorry ..
i pasted ISNUMBER(MATCH(A1,'[my book2.xls]Sheet1'!$A:$A,0))
but when i hit enter nothing happens

When you say you can't get it to work, does that mean the formula returns
an
error? Or can you not enter the formula at all?

Did you remember to change the workbook names and the sheet names ("my
book2.xls" and "sheet1" were probably not the names that you used.)

Maybe post back a little more detail.

Names of workbooks, names of worksheets in each workbook and what column
the
data is in (for both worksheets).

Then post your attempt at each formula.



Lynn wrote:

can't able to get it work. are you able to get me some step by step
instructions?

You could use a helper column in each worksheet that looks to see if
there
was a
match in the other:

One formula would look like this:

=ISNUMBER(MATCH(A1,'[my book2.xls]Sheet1'!$A:$A,0))

(adjust the workbook name and worksheet name to match the other
workbook/worksheet)

Then do the same kind of thing in the other workbook, but point at the
first.

If you need more, Chip Pearson has a bunch of techniques (including
macros):
http://www.cpearson.com/excel/duplicat.htm

Lynn wrote:

Hi,
I have 2 excel files which contains a list of 500 computer names.
How
can i
run a script to compare the contents and list out the differences
between
these 2 files?

sample content of the file:
computer1
computer2
computer3
computer4
.... and so on....

pls advice. thanks