The problem i am having is that i have two columns of names on the same sheet. i would like to remove the names that are in both columns and put in a 3rd column. for ex. A1(mike d) B1(tommy y) A2(jason h) B2(jason h)<--would be removed from both columns, and would be added to C1 and etc. Formula or macro would be helpful, and where do i apply it? Thanks

Google found this: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/213367 Looks like it's what you want. MIKE

Thanks mike, I tried that and nothing happened, that i think was for numbers. What i am looking for is like the post "compare two columns in excel" he was compairing names of companies, and i am just doing names of people. there was just no instruction on how to apply the code.

Try This: 1. Insert a column between Column A & Column B 2. Type ( or cut & paste) the following formula in cell B1: =IF(ISERROR(MATCH(A1,$C$1:$C$150,0)),"","Match in Col C") 3. Select cells B1:B150 4. Then "Edit", select "Fill" on the Edit menu, and then click “Down”. This will compare Column A against Column C the only difference is that instead of copying the contents of the matching cell I insert the comment "Match in Col C" next to the name in Column A matched in Column C. The columns do not have to be sorted, although it might be easier. I Started at Row 1, change the formula if needed. I used only 150 rows to check, again change if needed. I inserted a column, because I find it makes it visually easier to determine the outcome. MIKE

In the thread in which you found the code, you said you tried to use it. Where did you put the code before you tried it? Is your data really in Columns A and B, stating in Row 1, with the result going into Column C? That's what the code was written for. Assuming you are working with columns A & B as noted, right click the sheet tab for the sheet, choose View Code and paste the code into the code window that opens up. Let us know what happens.

Another thing to remember is that a SPACE is considered a character. If your comparing First & Last Names, if there is an extra space between the names in either column or there is an extra space at the beginning or end of the names, then the names will _not_ match. It must be an exact match, spaces and all. MIKE

re: It must be an exact match, spaces and all. If that's the problem, we might be able to use the Like operator, but I think we'd need to know a little more about the spreadsheet before we could suggest anything.