Excluding Duplicate Items in a List

If you create a list of items that contains duplicate items and you want to derive a unique list, use the Advanced Filter command in Microsoft Excel to derive a unique list. Example

To see an example, follow these steps: 

1. Type the following data in cells A1:A10 in a new workbook: 

A1: Fruits 

A2: Apple 

A3: Cherry 

A4: Pear 

A5: Cherry 

A6: Plum 

A7: Apple 

A8: Apple 

A9: Pear 

A10: Apple 

2. Point to Filter on the Data menu and click Advanced Filter. 

3. Under Action, click Copy to another Location. In the List Range box, type $A$1:$A$10. Select unique records only, type $B$1 in the Copy to box, and then click OK. 

The following unique list appears in column 

B: B1: Fruits 

B2: Apple 

B3: Cherry 

B4: Pear 

B5: Plum 

Note that this method also works for multiple columns and that you can hide rows when you use the Advanced Filter command

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