How to Remove Duplicates in Google Sheets

This document provides a detailed, step-by-step process to remove duplicates google sheets. By following these instructions, users will learn easily pinpoint duplicates and streamline their data management tasks.

Step 1

Open the spreadsheet and enter the data.

Step 2

Then select the entire set of values you want to check.

Step 3

Go to the menu and click 'Format'.

Step 4

Within this menu, locate and click on the 'Conditional Format' option.

Step 5

You will now see the 'Conditional Format Rules' section. Observe the default applied range,

Step 6

Find the 'Format Rules' option to customize these values,

Step 7

Click on the drop-down menu and search for more options.

Step 8

In the search, look for the 'Custom Formula' option. You will need to input a specific value here to proceed.

Step 9

Enter the formula =COUNTIF(A:A,A1)>1 to highlight duplicates in the spreadsheet.

And now your duplicates will be highlighted. This is a step-by-step guide on removing duplicates in google sheets

Pro Tips to remove duplicates in google sheets

1. Use conditional formatting for quick identification – Apply Conditional Formatting > Duplicate Values to highlight duplicates instantly without formulas.

2. Leverage COUNTIF for better accuracy – Use =COUNTIF(A:A, A1) > 1 to flag duplicate entries dynamically without manual checking.

3. Remove duplicates with the built-in tool – Use Data > Remove Duplicates to clean up your dataset while keeping unique values intact.

Common pitfalls and how to avoid them

1. Not selecting the entire range – Applying duplicate checks to a partial dataset may miss some repeated values.

2. Case sensitivity issues – Google Sheets treats apple and Apple as different; use LOWER() or UPPER() to normalize text before searching for duplicates.

3. Accidentally deleting unique data – Always review duplicates before deletion to avoid losing important unique entries.

Common FAQs for removing duplicates google sheets

1. Can I remove duplicates while keeping the first occurrence? Yes, Google Sheets automatically keeps the first occurrence when using the Remove duplicates tool.

2. How can I highlight duplicates instead of removing them? Use Conditional Formatting with the formula =COUNTIF(A:A, A1) > 1 to highlight duplicate values.

3. Does Google Sheets automatically remove duplicates? No, you need to manually use the Remove duplicates tool or set up a script to automate the process.

4. Can I remove duplicates across multiple columns? Yes, in the Remove duplicates tool, select multiple columns to check for duplicate rows based on all selected columns.

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