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Spotting inconsistencies in your data can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. What if there was a simple way to pinpoint exact matches in seconds? In this article, we’ll explore the EXACT function in Google Sheets - a handy tool for ensuring data accuracy by comparing text entries down to the last character.
Perfect for verifying passwords, matching product codes, or uncovering subtle discrepancies, this function is your go-to for cleaner, more reliable data. It’s simple to use and ensures your data is consistent and error-free.
Whether you’re a business owner, a team manager, or someone working with data, the EXACT function can save time and make your work easier. Let’s explore how it works with clear examples.
The EXACT function in Google Sheets is a powerful tool for ensuring data accuracy. It compares two text strings to check if they are exactly the same, including case sensitivity. Unlike other comparison methods, EXACT doesn’t just evaluate content but also looks at capitalization, making it ideal for tasks where precision matters.
For example, comparing "Apple" and "apple" using the EXACT function will return FALSE because the capitalization differs.
With its ability to handle case-sensitive checks and flag differences accurately, the EXACT function is a must-have for anyone working with sensitive or structured data in Google Sheets. It’s perfect for both small and large datasets.
This section will explain what the EXACT function does and how to write it, as well as show simple examples. It’s a handy tool to keep your data accurate and consistent.
The EXACT function in Google Sheets compares two text strings and returns TRUE if they match exactly, or FALSE if they don’t.
=EXACT(string1, string2)
Let’s break down the parameters:
The function is useful for tasks where precision is critical for ensuring consistency across datasets. It differentiates between uppercase and lowercase letters, ensuring an exact comparison.
Let’s say you have Names and Input Names in columns B and C, and you want to check if the names in these columns are exactly the same, including capitalization.
Syntax:
=EXACT(B3, C3)
Here:
The formula compares the text in B3 and C3. If the names match exactly (case-sensitive), it returns TRUE; otherwise, it returns FALSE. The results are displayed in column E, as shown in the dataset.
The EXACT function is a versatile tool for ensuring precision in your datasets. Below are examples demonstrating how to use this function effectively for accurate data comparisons.
The EXACT function is an excellent tool for verifying passwords, as it checks if two text strings match perfectly, including uppercase and lowercase letters.
Let’s say you have User Input Passwords in column C and System Stored Passwords in column D. You want to check if the passwords match exactly.
Use the following formula in a new cell:
=EXACT(C3, D3)
Here:
This formula compares the passwords in columns C and D. The results are displayed in column F, as shown in the dataset.
The EXACT function is a reliable way to ensure product codes are matched perfectly, including case sensitivity. By using it, you can verify product codes, reducing errors in inventory or data management.
Example:
Let’s say you have Product Codes in column C and Input Product Codes in column D. You want to check if the codes match exactly.
Use the following formula in a new cell:
=EXACT(C3, D3)
Here:
This formula compares the product codes in columns C and D. The results are displayed in column I, as shown in the dataset.
The EXACT function becomes even more powerful when used with other Google Sheets functions. Combining it with functions like IF, ISBLANK, or TEXT allows you to create advanced formulas for data validation, handling blank cells, or formatting numbers. These combinations make it easier to streamline workflows, clean up data, and improve the accuracy of your spreadsheets.
The EXACT function can be combined with ISBLANK and OR to ensure blank cells are handled appropriately during data comparison. This approach avoids errors and provides clear results when blank values are involved.
Example:
Let’s say you have Email IDs in column C and corresponding entries to compare in column D. You want to identify exact matches while returning "N/A" if either cell is blank.
Use the following formula in a new cell:
=IF(OR(ISBLANK(C3), ISBLANK(D3)), "N/A", EXACT(C3, D3))
Here:
This formula compares the email IDs in columns C and D. If either cell is blank, the result is N/A, if not the result is TRUE, as shown in column F.
When comparing numbers stored as text, the EXACT function may not work as expected because it is designed for text comparison. To handle this, you can convert numbers to text using the TEXT function before applying the EXACT function, ensuring accurate comparisons.
Let’s say you have prices in column C and their user input prices in column D. You want to check if the prices match exactly.
Use the following formula in a new cell:
=EXACT(TEXT(C3, "0"), TEXT(D3, "0"))
Here:
This formula ensures that the numbers are compared correctly, even if they are stored or formatted differently. The results, as shown in column F, display TRUE if the prices match and FALSE if they don’t.
The EXACT function, when combined with VLOOKUP, enables precise, case-sensitive comparisons between text values in Google Sheets.
Example:
Let’s say you have Product Codes in column E and their corresponding Names in column F, and you want to check if the names in column F match exactly with those in the reference table (columns B and C).
Use the following formula in a new cell :
=EXACT(VLOOKUP(E3, $B$3:$C$10, 2, FALSE), F3)
Here:
This formula checks if the name in column F strictly matches the name retrieved from the reference table (case-sensitive). The results are displayed in column G, showing TRUE for matches and FALSE for mismatches.
The EXACT function, when combined with IF, returns custom results based on whether the text matches or not. This is useful for validating data and triggering specific actions based on comparisons.
Let’s say you have Names in column C and their corresponding Input Names in column D, and you want to check if the names match exactly.
Use the following formula in a new cell:
=IF(EXACT(C3, D3), "Match", "No Match")
Here:
This formula checks if the text in column C matches the corresponding text in column D. The results are displayed in column F, showing "Match" for exact matches and "No Match" for mismatches.
💡 Want to explore more ways to make your spreadsheets smarter? Dive into our detailed guide on using theIF function in Google Sheets and learn how to handle complex logical scenarios with ease.
While the EXACT function is highly useful for precise text comparisons, it can sometimes lead to challenges such as handling unintended spaces, incorrect cell references, or encountering errors like #REF! and #NAME?. Recognizing these issues can help you troubleshoot and optimize your formulas
⚠️ Error: The EXACT function is case-sensitive, which means it treats uppercase and lowercase letters as different. For example, "Google" and "google" would not match, causing confusion if the user expects them to match.
✅ Solution: To avoid issues with case sensitivity, use the LOWER or UPPER functions to convert both text strings to the same case before using EXACT.
For example:
=EXACT(LOWER(A1), LOWER(B1))
This ensures that "Google" and "google" are treated as a match.
⚠️ Error: The EXACT function can return errors or incorrect results if the referenced cells are empty, contain unintended data, or if the cell references are accidentally shifted during editing.
✅ Solution: Double-check that the cell references in the formula point to the correct cells. Use ISBLANK to check for empty cells and handle them appropriately.
For example:
=IF(OR(ISBLANK(A1), ISBLANK(B1)), "Missing Data", EXACT(A1, B1))
This ensures you receive meaningful results even when cells are empty or references are misaligned.
⚠️ Error: The EXACT function may return FALSE even when the text appears identical due to extra spaces (e.g., leading, trailing, or multiple spaces within the text). These unintended spaces can go unnoticed and cause incorrect results.
✅ Solution: Use the TRIM function to remove extra spaces before comparing text.
For example:
=EXACT(TRIM(A1), TRIM(B1))
This ensures that only the meaningful text is compared, eliminating issues caused by accidental spaces.
⚠️ Error: The #REF! error occurs when a formula references a cell or range that no longer exists, such as when a referenced cell is deleted or when a formula tries to access an invalid range.
✅ Solution: To fix the #REF! error, avoid deleting cells or ranges that are referenced in formulas. If the error occurs, review and update the formula with the correct references. For accidental deletions, use the Undo (Ctrl + Z) function to restore them. Always check your formulas and references to prevent this error.
⚠️ Error: The #NAME? error occurs when Google Sheets cannot recognize the text in a formula. This is often caused by typos in function names, missing quotation marks for text strings, or undefined named ranges.
✅ Solution: To resolve the #NAME? error, review the formula for errors. Ensure function names are spelled correctly, text strings are enclosed in quotation marks (e.g., "Text"), and named ranges are properly defined. If the issue persists, re-enter the formula step-by-step to identify the problem.
⚠️ Error: The #ERROR! message occurs when there is a problem with the structure or logic of a formula. Common causes include missing parentheses, unmatched quotation marks, or incorrect combinations of functions.
✅ Solution: To resolve the #ERROR!, examine your formula for syntax issues. Ensure all parentheses are closed, text strings are enclosed in quotation marks, and functions are used correctly. Break down complex formulas into smaller parts to identify and fix the issue efficiently.
To get the most out of the EXACT function, it’s important to use it effectively. These tips will help you handle common challenges and streamline your data validation process.
When working with multiple rows of data, the ARRAYFORMULA function simplifies repetitive comparisons with the EXACT function. Use ARRAYFORMULA to apply the EXACT function across entire ranges without writing multiple formulas.
For example:
=ARRAYFORMULA(EXACT(A1:A10, B1:B10))
This saves time and ensures consistent data validation.
You can use Conditional Formatting with the EXACT function to visually highlight matching or non-matching data. Set up a rule to apply formatting based on the formula:
=EXACT(A1, B1)
This automatically highlights cells with exact matches, helping you quickly identify accurate data in large datasets.
Google Sheets provides a robust set of functions that streamline data analysis, making it easy to manage and interpret complex datasets. These functions are essential for uncovering insights, organizing data effectively, and conducting detailed analyses with ease.
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