Here are some ways to find and remove duplicate rows in Google Sheets:
- Using Google Script: This method involves using a script that compares each row of data to every other row and highlights the duplicate rows and columns in yellow. To use this method, you need to run the script by clicking on the “Run” button in the script editor. If prompted to authorize the script, click “Continue”. The script will remove any duplicate rows.
- Using the built-in “Remove duplicates” feature: This method involves selecting the data range that you want to check for duplicates, then going to the “Data” → “Data cleanup” → “Remove duplicates” option. From the pop-up menu that appears, select which columns you’d like to include in your search for duplicate data. If your spreadsheet includes a header row, be sure to select “Data has header row” so that Google Sheets ignores this row when removing duplicates. Google Sheets will let you know how many duplicate values were removed.
- Using an add-on: There are several add-ons available in the Google Workspace Marketplace that can help you find and remove duplicates in Google Sheets. One such add-on is the “Find duplicate or unique rows” add-on, which offers 7 different ways to handle duplicates. It can find duplicates as well as uniques, highlight duplicates in Google Sheets, add a status column, copy/move the results to a new sheet/spreadsheet or any specific place within your spreadsheet, clear found values from cells, and delete duplicate rows from your Google Sheet completely. Once you install it, it will appear under the Extensions.
- Using conditional formatting: This method involves highlighting duplicate data in Google Sheets using conditional formatting. To do this, you need to select the data range that you want to check for duplicates, then go to “Format” → “Conditional Formatting”. From the drop-down menu that appears, select “Custom formula is” and enter the formula “=countif(A:A,A1)>1” (without quotes) in the “Value or formula” field. This formula will highlight all duplicate values in column A. You can adjust the formula to suit your needs.
These are some of the ways to find and remove duplicate rows in Google Sheets.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
- How do I remove duplicate rows in Google Sheets? To remove duplicate rows in Google Sheets, you can use the built-in functionality. Click anywhere in the data range, go to Data > Remove duplicates, and follow the prompts.
- Can I remove duplicates based on specific columns in Google Sheets? Yes, you can remove duplicates based on specific columns by selecting the columns to analyze for duplicates during the removal process.
- Is there a way to highlight duplicate rows in Google Sheets? Yes, you can highlight duplicate rows in Google Sheets using conditional formatting. This allows you to visually identify duplicates without actually removing them.
- Can I remove duplicates in Google Sheets using formulas? Yes, you can use the UNIQUE formula in Google Sheets to remove duplicates. The UNIQUE formula scans your data, deletes duplicates, and returns only the unique values or rows.
- Are there any add-ons available for removing duplicates in Google Sheets? Yes, there are add-ons available in the Google Workspace Marketplace that can help you manage duplicates in Google Sheets. One popular add-on is “Remove Duplicates,” which offers various features for identifying and managing duplicates.
- Can I remove duplicates in Google Sheets automatically on a regular basis? Yes, you can schedule scenarios or use Apps Script to automate the process of removing duplicates in Google Sheets. This allows you to run the removal process automatically at specified intervals.
- What happens to the duplicate rows when I remove them in Google Sheets? When you remove duplicate rows in Google Sheets, the duplicates are deleted, and you are left with the unique records only.
- Can I remove duplicates in Google Sheets across multiple sheets or workbooks? Yes, you can remove duplicates across multiple sheets or workbooks in Google Sheets by combining the data into a single sheet and then applying the duplicate removal process.
- Is there a limit to the number of rows or columns that can be analyzed for duplicates in Google Sheets? Google Sheets does not have a specific limit on the number of rows or columns that can be analyzed for duplicates. However, performance may be affected for very large datasets.
- Can I undo the removal of duplicate rows in Google Sheets? Unfortunately, there is no built-in undo feature for removing duplicate rows in Google Sheets. It is recommended to make a backup of your data before performing the removal process.
These FAQs should provide a good starting point for understanding how to find and remove duplicate rows in Google Sheets.
