How to Compare Two Columns in Microsoft Excel

Quick summary

Comparing two columns in Microsoft Excel using Conditional Formatting lets you instantly highlight duplicate or unique values across datasets. This method requires no formulas — just a few clicks to visually identify matches and differences between any two columns.

Steps

1. Open your Microsoft Excel worksheet and select the two columns you want to compare.
2. Go to the Home tab and click Conditional Formatting from the available options.
3. Hover over Highlight Cell Rules and select Duplicate Values from the submenu.
4. Click the drop-down menu under Highlight Cells With and choose your preferred condition (e.g., Duplicate or Unique).
5. Browse the Format Style options and select a highlight format that suits your preference.
6. Click Done to apply the conditional formatting rule.
7. Review your spreadsheet — cells will now be highlighted based on your chosen condition, making it easy to compare the two columns at a glance.