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Excel - Find without looking in every column?

Expert: Jan Karel Pieterse - 11/5/2009

Question
Hi Jan,
I have a database which requires a surname check for duplicates, the problem is it keeps picking up surnames from partial matches and from addresses in different columns.
i.e it will activate Smith for Smithe and Brown for Brown street

Is there a way of limiting the find to a single specified column search?

Thanks

Answer
Yes, just select the column in which to search BEFORE clicking find. Also, check in the find options whether it is set to look in sheet, not in workbook.

Tip: if you turn on autofilter, the autofilter dropdown list will show the unique entries in each column, a quick way to check your data.

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