Duration: 2:06

2 views

0

Here's how to Check for Partial Matches in Microsoft Excel.

i. In Excel, partial matches refer to situations where you want to find and match a part of a text string within a larger set of data. This is commonly done using functions like `VLOOKUP`, `INDEX` and `MATCH`, or with wildcard characters. Let's explore these concepts:

1. **Partial Matches with `VLOOKUP` and `MATCH`:**
- **VLOOKUP**: The `VLOOKUP` function searches for a value in the first column of a table and returns a value in the same row from another column. To perform partial matches, you can use the approximate match option by setting the fourth argument to `TRUE` or omitting it (as it defaults to `TRUE`).

```
=VLOOKUP("partial_text", A1:B10, 2, TRUE)
```

- **MATCH**: The `MATCH` function is often used with `INDEX` to find the position of a value in a range. Similar to `VLOOKUP`, you can use the approximate match by setting the third argument to `TRUE` or omitting it.

```
=INDEX(B1:B10, MATCH("partial_text", A1:A10, 1))
```

2. **Partial Matches with Wildcards:**
- You can use wildcard characters like `*` (asterisk) and `?` (question mark) in functions like `VLOOKUP` and `IF` to find partial matches.

```excel
=VLOOKUP("*partial_text*", A1:B10, 2, FALSE)
```

Here, the asterisks act as wildcards, allowing for any characters before and after "partial_text."

3. **Filtering for Partial Matches:**
- You can use Excel's filtering capabilities to find partial matches. Select the column, go to the "Data" tab, and click on "Filter." Then, use the filter options to search for the partial text.

4. **Conditional Formatting for Partial Matches:**
- Conditional formatting can highlight cells containing partial matches. Go to "Home" - "Conditional Formatting" - "New Rule" and use a formula to check for partial matches.

```
=ISNUMBER(SEARCH("partial_text", A1))
```

This formula returns `TRUE` if "partial_text" is found within cell A1.

Remember that using wildcard characters or approximate matching may not be as precise as an exact match, so choose the method that best fits your data and requirements. Additionally, case sensitivity may vary depending on the functions and methods used.