comparing two spread sheets

[Guest]

In spread sheet "A" and "B" the last names are in column B and first names are in column C. I want EXCEL to tell me if the names (a name consist of a last and first name) on spread sheet "B" or in spread sheet "A" spread sheet "A" may or may not already contain the names in spread sheet "B". How do you do this is EXCEL?

 

[David McRitchie]

I see Frank already answered, this would probably work as well,
and since I wasn't looking for arrary formulas, you'd probably find something
on Chip's pages.

Any my suggestion would have been...
You already haveYou would put a helper column in both sheets. If that is not possible
make up a new sheet.

C1: =TRIM(A1)&", " & TRIM(B1)
into both sheets and then you can use your typical looking for duplicates solutions
found on Chip Pearson's page. used of COUNTIF
Look for "duplicates" on his topic.htm page.
http://www.cpearson.com/excel/topic.htm

Chip doesn't show for two sheets so in case it is not clear, something like
D1: =IF(COUNTIF('other sheet'!C:C, C1),"duplicate", "not a duplicate")

In spread sheet "A" and "B" the last names are in column B and first names are in column C. I want EXCEL to tell me if the names

(a name consist of a last and first name) on spread sheet "B" or in spread sheet "A" spread sheet "A" may or may not already contain
the names in spread sheet "B". How do you do this is EXCEL?