What is EXACT function in Excel? EXACT function is one of TEXT functions in Microsoft Excel that compares two text strings and returns TRUE if they are exactly the same, FALSE otherwise. EXACT is case-sensitive but ignores formatting differences. Use EXACT to test text being entered into a document. Syntax of EXACT function EXACT(text1, text2) The EXACT function syntax has the…
Tag: EXACT function
Check if multiple cells have same value with case sensitive in Excel
To verify that multiple cells have the same value with a case-sensitive formula, you can use a simple array formula based on the EXACT and AND functions. See example below: Formula {=AND(EXACT(range,value))} Explanation In the example shown, the formula in G5 is: =AND(EXACT(B5:F5,B5)) This is an array formula and must be entered with control + shift + enter How this…
Check multiple cells are equal in Excel
To confirm two ranges of the same size contain the same values, you can use a simple array formula based on the AND function. See illustration below: Formula {=AND(range1=range2)} Explanation In the example shown, the formula in C9 is: {=AND(B5:D12=F5:H12)} Note: this is an array formula and must be entered with control + shift + enter. How this formula works The AND…
How to compare two text strings in Excel
If you need to compare two text strings in Excel to determine if they’re equal, you can use the EXACT function. Formula =EXACT(text1, text2) Explanation For example, if you want to compare A2 with B2, use: =EXACT(A2,B2) If the two strings are identical, EXACT will return TRUE. If not, EXACT will return FALSE. You can use this result inside the…
Excel Data validation must begin with
Using the example below, this tutorial shows how to create Data validation must begin with in Excel. Formula =EXACT(LEFT(A1,3),”XX-“) Explanation To allow only values that begin with certain text, you can use data validation with a custom formula based on the EXACT and LEFT functions. In the example shown, the data validation applied to C5:C9 is: =EXACT(LEFT(C5,3),”MX-“) How this formula works Data…
Excel Data validation allow uppercase only
Using the example below, this tutorial shows how to create Excel Data validation to allow uppercase only. Formula =AND(EXACT(A1,UPPER(A1)),ISTEXT(A1)) Explanation To allow a user to enter only uppercase TEXT, you can use data validation with a custom formula based on the UPPER, EXACT, and AND functions. In the example shown, the data validation applied to C5:C7 is: =AND(EXACT(C5,UPPER(C5)),ISTEXT(C5)) How this formula works…
Highlight column differences in Excel
This tutorial shows how to Highlight column differences in Excel using the example below; Formula =$A1<>$B1 Explanation If you want to highlight the differences between two columns of data with conditional formatting you can do so with a simple formula that uses the” not equal to” operator (e.g. <>) and mixed references. For example, if you have similar data in B2:B11…
Highlight cells that end with in Excel
This tutorial shows how to Highlight cells that end with in Excel using the example below; Formula =COUNTIF(A1,”*text”) Explanation Note: Excel contains many built-in rules for highlighting values with conditional formatting, including a rule to highlight cells that end with specific text. However, if you want more flexibility, you can use your own formula, as explained in this article. If you…
Two ways to Compare Text in Excel
Case-sensitive and case-insensitive ways to Compare Text in Excel. This example shows two ways to compare text in Excel. One is case-sensitive and one is case-insensitive. 1. Use the EXACT function (case-sensitive). 2. Use the formula =A1=B1 (case-insensitive).
Perform case-sensitive Lookup in Excel
By default, the VLOOKUP function performs a case-insensitive lookup. However, you can use the INDEX, MATCH and the EXACT function in Excel to perform a case-sensitive lookup. 1. For example, the simple VLOOKUP function below returns the salary of Mia Clark. However, we want to lookup the salary of MIA Reed (see cell G2). 2. The EXACT function in Excel returns TRUE if two strings…