Compare my list to an existing list

[Beep]

I have a list of names approximately 250 rows long in column A. For the most
part, they are in the format of [last_name, first_name + middle_initial]...
all in one cell. I can modify that, if necessary. Perhaps with a text to
columns function.

I downloaded a database from the tax department containing rows of data of
parcel owners. The owners names are contained in the following fashion: their
last names are in column A, their first and middle initials are contained in
column B. As I mentioned above, I can get my sheet set up like the first one,
or the database set up like my list. It would probably make more sense to
make the database look like my list... you think?

I would like to match my list of names up to the tax database and omit all
the other rows whose names don't match up to my list. If I had to end up with
some duplicate matches, I will be okay.

For example, if I have "Williams, Joseph A" in my list and it creates a list
of 4 matches, such as "Williams, Andrew B", "Williams, Calvin C", "Williams,
Mike P" and "Williams, Seth W"; I am okay with that. I would rather have some
non-exact matches, than to omit something I wanted to keep. So, in other
words, I would at least like to filter out the tax database of any names it
contains that don't match up with any last name in my list.

I appreciate any help that someone may offer. If you need further
clarification of what I am trying to accomplish.

 

[Max]

One formulas play to tinker with ...

Assume your source 250 names is within A2:A250 in Sheet1
In Sheet1,
Put in B2: =TRIM(LEFT(A2,SEARCH(",",A2)-1))
Copy down. This extracts all the last names into col B
(It is presumed that there will not be any duplicate last names in Sheet1)

Assume the tax d/b is in Sheet2, cols A to say, col D, data from row2 down,
where col A contains last names
In Sheet2
Put in E2, normal ENTER will do
=IF(A2="","",INDEX(Sheet1!A$2:A$250,MATCH(TRUE,INDEX(ISNUMBER(SEARCH(Sheet1!B$2:B$250,A2)),),0)))
Copy down all the way. Col E will return the source names from Sheet1 (col
A's names) where the last names match, exactly what you seek to accomplish.
Voila? hit the YES below