Excel: check if two cells match or multiple cells are equal

The tutorial will teach you how to construct the If match formula in Excel, so it returns logical values, custom text or a value from another cell.

An Excel formula to see if two cells match could be as simple as A1=B1. However, there may be different circumstances when this obvious solution won't work or produce results different from what you expected. In this tutorial, we'll discuss various ways to compare cells in Excel, so you can find an optimal solution for your task.

How to check if two cells match in Excel

There exist many variations of the Excel If match formula. Just review the examples below and choose the one that works best for your scenario.

If two cells equal, return TRUE

The simplest "If one cell equals another then true" Excel formula is this:

cell A = cell B

For example, to compare cells in columns A and B in each row, you enter this formula in C2, and then copy it down the column:

=A2=B2

As the result, you'll get TRUE if two cells are the same, FALSE otherwise: If two cells equal, return TRUE

Notes:

  • This formula returns two Boolean values: if two cells are equal - TRUE; if not equal - FALSE. To only return the TRUE values, use in IF statement as shown in the next example.
  • This formula is case-insensitive, so it treats uppercase and lowercase letters as the same characters. If the text case matters, then use this case-sensitive formula.

If two cells match, return value

To return your own value if two cells match, construct an IF statement using this pattern:

IF(cell A = cell B, value_if_true, value_if_false)

For example, to compare A2 and B2 and return "yes" if they contain the same values, "no" otherwise, the formula is:

=IF(A2=B2, "yes", "no") If two cells match, return some value

If you only want to return a value if cells are equal, then supply an empty string ("") for value_if_false.

If match, then yes:

=IF(A2=B2, "yes", "")

If match, then TRUE:

=IF(A2=B2, TRUE, "") If two cells match, return Yes or TRUE

Note. To return the logical value TRUE, don't enclose it in double quotes. Using double quotes will convert the logical value into a regular text string.

If one cell equals another, then return another cell

And here's a variation of the Excel if match formula that solves this specific task: compare the values in two cells and if the data match, then copy a value from another cell.

In the Excel language, it's formulated like this:

IF(cell A = cell B, cell C, "")

For instance, to check the items in columns A and B and return a value from column C if text matches, the formula in D2, copied down, is:

=IF(A2=B2, C2, "") If one cell equals another, then return another cell

Case-sensitive formula to see if two cells match

In situation when you are dealing with case-sensitive text values, use the EXACT function to compare the cells exactly, including the letter case:

IF(EXACT(cell A, cell B), value_if_true, value_if_false)

For example, to compare the items in A2 and B2 and return "yes" if text matches exactly, "no" if any difference is found, you can use this formula:

=IF(EXACT(A2, B2), "Yes", "No") Case-sensitive formula to see if two cells match

How to check if multiple cells are equal

As with comparing two cells, checking multiple cells for matches can also be done in a few different ways.

AND formula to see if multiple cells match

To check if multiple values match, you can use the AND function with two or more logical tests:

AND(cell A = cell B, cell A = cell C, …)

For example, to see if cells A2, B2 and C2 are equal, the formula is:

=AND(A2=B2, A2=C2)

In dynamic array Excel (365 and 2021) you can also use the below syntax. In Excel 2019 and lower, this will only work as a traditional CSE array formula, completed by pressing the Ctrl + Shift + Enter keys together.

=AND(A2=B2:C2)

The result of both AND formulas is the logical values TRUE and FALSE.

To return your own values, wrap AND in the IF function like this:

=IF(AND(A2=B2:C2), "yes", "")

This formula returns "yes" if all three cells are equal, a blank cell otherwise. Checking if multiple cells are equal

COUNTIF formula to check if multiple columns match

Another way to check for multiple matches is using the COUNTIF function in this form:

COUNTIF(range, cell)=n

Where range is a range of cells to be compared against each other, cell is any single cell in the range, and n is the number of cells in the range.

For our sample dataset, the formula can be written in this form:

=COUNTIF(A2:C2, A2)=3

If you are comparing a lot of columns, the COLUMNS function can get the cells' count (n) for you automatically:

=COUNTIF(A2:C2, A2)=COLUMNS(A2:C2)

And the IF function will help you return anything you want as an outcome:

=IF(COUNTIF(A2:C2, A2)=3, "All match", "") Checking if multiple columns match

Case-sensitive formula for multiple matches

As with checking two cells, we employ the EXACT function to perform the exact comparison, including the letter case. To handle multiple cells, EXACT is to be nested into the AND function like this:

AND(EXACT(range, cell))

In Excel 365 and Excel 2021, due to support for dynamic arrays, this works as a normal formula. In Excel 2019 and lower, remember to press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to make it an array formula.

For example, to check if cells A2:C2 contain the same values, a case-sensitive formula is:

=AND(EXACT(A2:C2, A2))

In combination with IF, it takes this shape:

=IF(AND(EXACT(A2:C2, A2)), "Yes", "No") Case-sensitive formula to check multiple cells for matches

Check if cell matches any cell in range

To see if a cell matches any cell in a given range, utilize one of the following formulas:

OR function

It's best to be used for checking 2 - 3 cells.

OR(cell A = cell B, cell A = cell C, cell A = cell D, …)

Excel 365 and Excel 2021 understand this syntax as well:

OR(cell = range)

In Excel 2019 and lower, this should be entered as an array formula by pressing the Ctrl + Shift + Enter shortcut.

COUNTIF function

COUNTIF(range, cell)>0

For instance, to check if A2 equals any cell in B2:D2, any of these formulas will do:

=OR(A2=B2, A2=C2, A2=D2)

=OR(A2=B2:D2)

=COUNTIF(B2:D2, A2)>0

If you are using Excel 2019 or lower, remember to press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to get the second OR formula to deliver the correct results. Checking if a cell matches any cell in range

To return Yes/No or any other values you want, you know what to do - nest one of the above formulas in the logical test of the IF function. For example:

=IF(COUNTIF(B2:D2, A2)>0, "Yes", "No") Check if a cell is equal to any cell in range and return Yes/No as the result.

For more information, please see Check if value exists in a range.

Check if two ranges are equal

To compare two ranges cell-by-cell and return the logical value TRUE if all the cells in the corresponding positions match, supply the equally sized ranges to the logical test of the AND function:

AND(range A = range B)

For example, to compare Matrix A in B3:F6 and Matrix B in B11:F14, the formula is:

=AND(B3:F6= B11:F14)

To get Yes/No as the result, use the following IF AND combination:

=IF(AND(B3:F6=B11:F14), "Yes", "No") Checking if two ranges are equal

That's how to use the If match formula in Excel. I thank you for reading and hope to see you on our blog next week!

Table of contents

136 comments

  1. Column A - Column B
    April 20, 2024 - John
    April 20, 2024 - Brian
    April 20, 2024 - Luc
    April 20, 2024 - Ryan
    April 20, 2024 - Sarah
    April 20, 2024 - Emma
    April 22, 2024 - John
    April 22, 2024 - Brian
    April 22, 2024 - Luc
    April 22, 2024 - Ryan
    April 22, 2024 - Sarah
    April 22, 2024 - Emma

    Column C and D have the two dates above listed in each cell (there are more dates all the way down until end of the month with the same people repeating in them same sequence) and each name is listed on a different row. I need a YES or NO answer. Yes if the person and date match from the list above.

  2. I have two sheets Data and Attendance, with a mix of text and numbers, basically I'm trying to match a student ID, with the type of workshop they attended and if both are true then to return the text cell value in the appropriate row which is Y, N or blank.
    The Student ID is in column 1 on both sheets.

    I would like to check if Attendance A2 = Data A:A (these are both numbers) and Attendance G1 = Data D:D (these are both text) then I would like to return the text data in Data L:L

    Data Sheet
    A = Student ID (8 numerical digits)
    D = Skill e.g. MH BC
    L = Attended Y, N, Blank

    Attendance Sheet
    A = Student ID (8 numerical digits)
    G1 = text MH BC
    G2 is cell I want Y, N or to stay blank to appear in.
    Hope this makes sense

  3. Want to compare the value of Cell A and B of Sample 1 excel file with Cell A and B of Sample 2 excel file together at a time, if match then the value of cell D (sample 2) will be copied at Sample 1 file.

    Please help

  4. Do you have a formula for this condition : ( if cell1=x and cell2 y → cell3 = z) ? thank you .

  5. Hi There, I would love some help. I have two sheets with the same data range, State and Email. I am attempting to cross reference if the two sheets have matching information. I have used this formula but it is not working.

    =IF(AND(C2='Response Data'!B2,'Agent TMT State Data'!,D2='Response Data'!C2),TRUE

      • Hi Alex,

        I have two worksheets named Response Data and Agent TMT Data. Each worksheet has a column for State and Email, there are roughly 6000 records.
        I want to create a formula that will give me a response of Match/No Match or True/False if the row that contains the data for state and email is not matching.

        EG: Response data has C2 test@test. com and D2 Texas, TMT Agent data has the same information in the worksheet (test @test. com and Texas in the same row)

        I hope this makes sense

        • Hello! If I understand your task correctly, the following formula should work for you:

          =ISNUMBER(MATCH('Agent Response Data'!C2&'Agent Response Data'!D2, 'TMT State Data'!C2:C30&'TMT State Data'!D2:D30,0))

          We have a tool that can solve your task in a couple of clicks - Compare Two Tables. This tool can compare two tables or lists by any number of columns, identifying matches/differences (like formulas) and highlighting them (like conditional formatting). The tool is included in the Ultimate Suite for Excel and can be used in a free trial to see how it works.

  6. Hi, I have a big excel sheet containing data on M&As which I have to combine.

    I have three columns which have to match, two columns with Ticker Symbols and one with the corresponding ISIN code of a company. If the ticker symbols match I want to get the corresponding ISIN code for the company and its deal (in some cases it is one deal, others could be 20). But for some reason it does not check all cells, rather if I write a function it automatically jumps to the next ticker symbol. Do you perhaps know what function to use?

  7. Can I get help with this formula? I'm getting a syntax error message when I enter this and can't figure out the issue. I just want it to pull a value based on different ranges.

    =IFS(COUNTIF(Reference!B2:B64,B3)>0,Reference!B1, [COUNTIF(Reference!C2:C64,B3)>0],Reference!C1, [COUNTIF(Reference!D2:D64,B3)>0],Reference!D1)

  8. I have two drop down list B2 and D2. If B2 equals to a text then D2 should only have a certain lot of values/text available to use and the rest must be grey out. what formula to i use?

  9. Hi,
    I have two different diagrams. What they have in common is that they both have one column with the same material number, but sorted in different rows.
    But, the first diagram have a column with the change of the quantities of how much materials will increase or decrease.
    And the other diagram have a cost per unit column.

    I must somehow figure out how much will the cost increase or decrease in every row for every material number.

    Maybe I can use the material number. If they match equally,then I can multiply the Change in Quantities with Cost per Unit. But how?

  10. Is there a way to make a formula , if any cell in one column match another cell so number should be taken from specific cell

    • Hi! Based on your description, it is hard to completely understand your task. To get a value by condition, you can use the IF formula.
      If you want to search for a value in a column and, if it is found, get the value from another cell, use the MATCH function. The ISNUMBER function returns TRUE when the value is found. For example:

      =IF(ISNUMBER(MATCH(B2, A2:A11,0)),C2)

  11. I want to get a yes or no answer. If G3 equals H1 or I1 then no, otherwise yes

    Column G could have PP01, PP02, PP01A, PP02A. H1 = PP01, I1 = PP02

  12. First off, great simple instructions! Very helpful.

    Using this formula =A2=B2 (If two cells equal, return TRUE), is there a way to have True in Green color font, and False in Red color font.

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