Duplicate data not only introduces errors and confusion but also hampers overall efficiency. However, there’s no need to worry!

Google Sheets provides a solution for identifying and removing duplicates, ensuring the maintenance of accurate and streamlined datasets. There are multiple ways to find duplicate data in your spreeadsheets. In this article, I’ll guide you through a step-by-step process on how to effectively remove duplicates in Google Sheets.

Step 1: Open Your Google Sheet

Start by opening the Google Sheet containing the data from which you want to remove duplicates. Once you’ve located your spreadsheet, you’re ready to begin the process.

Step 2: Select the Data Range

Highlight the range of cells that you want to check for duplicates. You can either click and drag to select the range manually or use keyboard shortcuts for a quicker selection. Be sure to include all relevant columns in your selection.

Step 3: Access the Data Menu

Navigate to the “Data” menu in the top toolbar. Within this menu, you will find various options for managing and manipulating your data.

Step 4: Choose “Remove Duplicates”

Under the “Data” menu, find and click on the “Data Cleanup” option. This will open to another set of tabs. Choose ““Remove duplicates” tab.

Step 5: Select Columns for Duplication Check

In the dialog box, you’ll see a list of all columns from your selected range. Pick the columns where you want Google Sheets to identify and remove duplicates. You can select one or multiple columns, depending on your data.

Step 6: Configure Duplicate Removal Options

Google Sheets provides options to configure how duplicates are identified and removed. You can select to remove duplicates based on all selected columns or only specific ones. Additionally, you can opt to expand the selection to include formatting criteria.

Step 7: Confirm and Remove Duplicates

Once you’ve configured the options, click the “Remove duplicates” button. Google Sheets will then scan your selected range, identify duplicates based on your criteria, and present you with a summary of the removal process.

Step 8: Review Results

After removal, Google Sheets will display a summary of the duplicate removal process, including the number of duplicates found and eliminated. Take a moment to review the results and ensure that the desired duplicates have been removed.

In Summary

In order to maintain accuracy and reliability, cleaning up your data is definitely a must.

It doesn’t just streamline your data, but it also helps you in making more informed decisions based on accurate and reliable information.

By following these simple steps, you can efficiently identify and eliminate duplicate entries, ensuring that your spreadsheets remain organized and effective for data analysis.

Now, looking at your large data set will be an eyesore no more!

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See also How To Sort and Filter Data in Google Sheets.