I have a worksheet which has one column with a list of names plus other
columns of data.

I want to combine that worksheet with a similar worksheet which also has a
list of names.

Most of the names on both worksheets are identical.

I need to match the identical names on both worksheets (so I can use the
data) and make the non-matching names redundant.

What's the best way of approaching this? I'm sure there's some code
around or maybe in can be done manually?

On Fri, 15 Jul 2011 08:58:41 +0100, Saxman
<"john.h.williams2(removethis)"@gmail.com> wrote:

> I have a worksheet which has one column with a list of names plus other
> columns of data.
>
> I want to combine that worksheet with a similar worksheet which also has
> a list of names.
>
> Most of the names on both worksheets are identical.
>
> I need to match the identical names on both worksheets (so I can use the
> data) and make the non-matching names redundant.
>
> What's the best way of approaching this? I'm sure there's some code
> around or maybe in can be done manually?

Looks like the addin Activedata for Excel is the answer, but looks quite
expensive for casual use.

Are there any alternatives?

Matching names is notoriously tricky... Sam Adams vs. Sam Adams Jr. and Samuel Adams vs. Sam Adams.
You can use conditional formatting to do most of the work...

Data in columns c and f, starting in row 5.
1. Select C5:C1500
2. Choose Format | Conditional formatting
3. In ""Condition 1"" choose ""Formula is""
4. Enter this formula =(COUNTIF($F$5:$F$3700,C5)>0)*(C5<>"")
5. Click the "Formats" button and take your pick. OK.OK.
6. Repeat for F5:F3700 using: =(COUNTIF($C$5:$C$1500,F5)>0)*(F5<>"")
The common items from both lists will now be highlighted with the formatting you picked.
'---

My commercial Excel add-in "XL Companion" can match lists and has multiple features to manipulate
data.
Download the free trial from... http://www.mediafire.com/PrimitiveSoftware
'---
Jim Cone
Portland, Oregon USA





"Saxman" <"john.h.williams2(removethis)"@gmail.com>
wrote in message
newsp.vynsumd46s6om4@user1-pc...
> On Fri, 15 Jul 2011 08:58:41 +0100, Saxman <"john.h.williams2(removethis)"@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> I have a worksheet which has one column with a list of names plus other columns of data.
>>
>> I want to combine that worksheet with a similar worksheet which also has a list of names.
>>
>> Most of the names on both worksheets are identical.
>>
>> I need to match the identical names on both worksheets (so I can use the data) and make the
>> non-matching names redundant.
>>
>> What's the best way of approaching this? I'm sure there's some code around or maybe in can be
>> done manually?
>
> Looks like the addin Activedata for Excel is the answer, but looks quite expensive for casual
> use.
>
> Are there any alternatives?

On Fri, 15 Jul 2011 13:58:12 +0100, Jim Cone
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

> Matching names is notoriously tricky... Sam Adams vs. Sam Adams Jr. and
> Samuel Adams vs. Sam Adams.
> You can use conditional formatting to do most of the work...
>
> Data in columns c and f, starting in row 5.
> 1. Select C5:C1500
> 2. Choose Format | Conditional formatting
> 3. In ""Condition 1"" choose ""Formula is""
> 4. Enter this formula =(COUNTIF($F$5:$F$3700,C5)>0)*(C5<>"")
> 5. Click the "Formats" button and take your pick. OK.OK.
> 6. Repeat for F5:F3700 using: =(COUNTIF($C$5:$C$1500,F5)>0)*(F5<>"")
> The common items from both lists will now be highlighted with the
> formatting you picked.
> '---
>
> My commercial Excel add-in "XL Companion" can match lists and has
> multiple features to manipulate
> data.
> Download the free trial from...
> http://www.mediafire.com/PrimitiveSoftware
> '---

Thanks. I'll give it a go later.

Just had another web search and it appears that there are several ways of
doing this including several add-ins.