How to check for dupes on 2 files, and ? about csv file ext

[PeterM]

I have two files, one has a csv ext and the other one a Excel 2003
extension. both open up in my 2003 Excel. How can I strip the duplicates out
of the file. One is 4400 names and one about 1100. I tried to do it on the
csv file, and then when I tried to save the file I got all kinds of replies
that made me nervous and I cancelled the operation. What is that csv file,
(I know the name comma separated value????) someone said it is the same as
the excel file, they just changed the extension. Is that true? Supposedly
the people that will write invitation cards from this list wanted it in that
csv format. Is that so different from the regular excel file? Both files
look exactly alike, just first name, last name, address city and zip code.
Maybe I need a lesson on this. I appreciate any help with my
questions.......Peter

 

[Dave Peterson]

First, CSV files are just plain old text files.

If you open Notepad and then File|Open your csv file, you'll be able to read it
without too much trouble.

But if you open a real excel file (not just a renamed csv file to xls), then
when you open that in Notepad, it'll look mostly Greek.

(If you try this, be very careful. If you change something (and save it) in
that .xls file in Notepad, you could damage it so that excel can't open it.
(Test it on a copy if you really want.))

Excel is pretty forgiving with .csv files renamed to .xls. (But on general
principles, I don't like doing this type of thing.)

And if you really want to work with duplicates, Chip Pearson has lots of ways
at:
http://www.cpearson.com/excel/duplicat.htm

 

[olasa]

The best way is to use the Advanced filter...
Menu: Data>Filter>Advance filter... and tick Unique Records Only

Ola Sandström


And...if you would like to separate your data into separate Columns,
use:
Menuata>Text to Columns> ...