Second, you can choose which columns to include or exclude. First, you can identify if your data has headers. In the dialog box that pops up, you'll be presented with several options. Step 2: Select the Data menu, then click Remove Duplicates. In our example, the last three rows contain duplicate data.

Note that Remove Duplicates will only remove those items where the values are identical across rows or from individual cells if a single column is selected. Step 1: First, select the columns where you want to remove duplicates. Use this function with caution – it's probably a good idea to back up your spreadsheet first. You can also elect to have Excel remove any duplicate data from your spreadsheet. Mark Coppock/Digital Trends Using the Remove Duplicates function This can be textual or numeric data, and it can include any number of columns. Step 4: Once you've selected an option or clicked OK, your duplicate data will be highlighted. You can choose from the drop-down list or create a custom format. Step 3: You'll be presented with a dialog that lets you select whether to show duplicate or unique values (we want the former, of course) and how you want the data highlighted. Step 2: Select Conditional Formatting from the Home menu, then choose Highlight Cell Rules > Duplicate Values.

Note that conditional formatting won't work with Excel Pivot Tables.

In our example, we're selecting our entire table. Step 1: Select the portion of your data where you want to locate duplicates. One of the easiest ways to locate duplicate data in Excel is to use conditional formatting. Identifying duplicate data using conditional formatting

Find and merge duplicate rows in excel