Forum Discussion

Copper Contributor

Jun 21, 2019

Text Filter

Hello All, Would you be able to tell me how to filter two columns of individual names for differences, that rule out middle initials? I've tried using a filter that would tell me if the nam...

excel

Formulas and Functions

AsiaY

Copper Contributor

Jun 21, 2019

Haytham Amairah

I really appreciate your help!!! I'll give it a try :)

Twifoo

Silver Contributor

Jun 22, 2019

AsiaY

In the absence of extra spaces, this formula returns your desired result:

=IF(LEN(A2)=LEN(B2),LEFT(A2,LEN(A2)-1)=LEFT(B2,LEN(B2)-1),
IF(LEN(A2)>LEN(B2),ISNUMBER(FIND(B2,A2)),
ISNUMBER(FIND(A2,B2))))

See the examples in the attached file and inform me of your thoughts thereon.

NameMatch.xlsx9 KB

AsiaY
Copper Contributor
Jun 24, 2019
Twifoo

Is there a way to adjust this formula to rule out the middle initial/name so that way the formula will only look for matching last name first name?

The data is listed in two columns with random names having only the middle initial or complete full middle name …