Problem with Countif function to remove duplicates

[Ronald_Roos]

Dear all,

I am trying to identify duplicates based on a unique string composed from multiple cells using the countif function. Now I encounter an issue where the incorrect value is returned for values that are clearly different from each other. In the attached file is the problem I am facing visible.

Can anyone help me with this issue?

[#2]

@Ronald_Roos 

Use this formula in E2, and copy down rows: 

=SUMPRODUCT(--(D$2:D2=D2))

By the way, your original formula works if you concatenate CHAR(173) before the criteria argument like this: 

=COUNTIF(D$2:D2,
CHAR(173)&D2)

The origin of the foregoing idea is from Lori Miller in this link: 

http://dailydoseofexcel.com/archives/2006/10/10/countif-bug/

See both formulas in the attached file. 

[#3]

Hey @Ronald_Roos 

Try This:

1) Insert a new column and enter this formula to extract the last digit of the number in column D as that is the number that changes:

=RIGHT(D2,1)

2) Then add the CountIF function to the column F. Hide column D if you want to 

[#4]

@Twifoo
Thanks for the help. This precisely was what I was looking for.

[#5]

You’re very much welcome!