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Excel/Find without looking in every column?

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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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This topic answers questions related to Microsoft Excel spreadsheet (or workbook) stand-alone or Mircrosoft Office Excel including Excel 2003, Excel 2007, Office 2000, and Office XP. You can get Excel help on Excel formulas(or functions), Excell macros, charting in Excel, advanced features, and the general use of Excel. This does not provide a general Excel tutorial nor the basics of using a spreadsheet. It provides specific answers to using Microsoft Excel only. If you do not see your Excel question answered in this area then please ask an Excel question here

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Jan Karel Pieterse

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Excel and Excel/VBA questions

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Excel MVP

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Self employed Excel developer

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Bachelor in Chemical Engineering

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Microsoft MVP award since 2002

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Shell, Fortis bank, ABN-AMRO bank, Morgan Stanley, ...

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