Remove Duplicates in Google Sheets: Step-by-Step Guide

How to remove duplicates in Google Sheets? For decades, this question has been on the minds of millions of spreadsheet users. Duplicate data is the bane (or would it be “more complete pain”) of your analysis. More often than not, it is all that stands between you and finding what you’re looking for inside a database.

You might be surprised to learn that, according to reports, 10-30% of contact databases are duplicated! It just goes to show you how important good data cleansing is. The better you are at learning how to remove duplicates in Google Sheets, the more databases you can manage and clean.

Removing duplicates in Google Sheets is not convenient; it’s vital. Poor data quality, including duplicate information, leads companies to lose 12% of their revenue. This skill can greatly impact your organization’s bottom line.

So, what is the deal about removing duplicates in Google Sheets? Duplicates can result in inaccurate measures, overestimated metrics, and misleading findings. In an all-too-typical failure, 82% of companies admit to making decisions based on old or plain wrong data. By eliminating duplicates, you ensure your analyses are based on clean, reliable information.

Google Sheets is an essential tool for data professionals today. Therefore, learning to delete duplicates on Google Sheets is a useful skill. It can help you in many situations, whether as a student, professional, or business owner.

Table of Contents:

1. What are Remove Duplicates in Google Sheets?
2. Why Do We Remove Duplicates in Google Sheets?
3. How to Find Duplicates in Google Sheets?
4. How to Delete Duplicates in Google Sheets?
5. How to Find Unique Values in Google Sheets?
6. How to Visualize Your Chart Data in Google Sheets?
7. What are the Best Practices for Removing Duplicates from Google Sheets?
8. Wrap Up

First…

What are Remove Duplicates in Google Sheets?

Definition: “Remove Duplicates” in Google Sheets is a feature that helps clean up your data by eliminating repeated entries. If your spreadsheet has multiple identical rows or cells, this tool can identify and delete those duplicates.

To use it:

1. Select the range of cells you want to check.
2. Then, go to the “Data” menu and choose “Remove duplicates.”
3. A dialog box will appear, allowing you to choose which columns to check for duplicates.
4. After confirming your selection, the tool will scan and remove any repeated entries.

This feature is particularly useful for maintaining clean, organized data. It saves time by automating the process of identifying and removing duplicate information. This ensures your data set remains accurate and easy to analyze.

Why Do We Remove Duplicates in Google Sheets?

When working with data in Google Sheets, keeping things clean and accurate is key. That’s where removing duplicates comes in. Here’s why it’s so important:

• Data accuracy: Duplicate entries can distort your data and lead to incorrect conclusions. Removing them ensures your data reflects the true picture.
• Data integrity: Eliminating duplicates maintains the consistency and reliability of your data. This helps in making sure your data remains trustworthy over time.
• Improved analysis: When duplicates are gone, your data becomes easier to analyze data. You can generate more accurate insights and reports without the clutter of repeated entries.
• Efficiency: Manually sifting through data to find duplicates can be tedious. Using the “Remove Duplicates” feature saves time and effort, letting you focus on more important tasks.
• Reduced errors: Fewer duplicates mean fewer chances for errors in calculations, charts, or any other data-driven decisions.
• Enhanced performance: Removing unnecessary duplicates can make your Google Sheets run more smoothly, especially with large datasets. This keeps everything running faster and more efficiently.

How to Find Duplicates in Google Sheets?

If you want to spot duplicate data quickly, the best method is to use conditional formatting with a custom formula. The formula you use may vary slightly depending on how many columns contain repeated values.

Follow these steps to highlight duplicates in a single column in Google Sheets:

1. Select the data range you want to check for duplicates. Then go to Format > Conditional Formatting.

2. In the Conditional format rules window, click the dropdown under Format rules and choose Custom Formula is.
3. Enter your custom formula in the Value or formula bar. For example, to find duplicates in cells B2, use the formula =COUNTIF($B$2:$B$15, B2)>1.

4. Under Formatting style, customize how your duplicates will be highlighted. By default, Google Sheets highlights duplicates in green. Then, click Done. (Tip: Change the fill color to something high-contrast, like light yellow, to improve readability.)

How to Delete Duplicates in Google Sheets?

If you want to quickly remove redundant data without reviewing it manually, Google Sheets makes it simple. Here’s how to remove duplicates in Google Sheets:

1. Click on any cell in your data range. Then, go to the Data tab > Data cleanup > Remove duplicates.

2. In the Remove Duplicates window, choose the columns where you want to search for duplicates. Click Remove duplicates.

• • Note: If your spreadsheet has a header row, select Data has a header row to ensure Google Sheets ignores it during the process.

3. Google Sheets will inform you how many duplicate values were removed.

How to Find Unique Values in Google Sheets?

Use Google Sheets’ UNIQUE function to keep your original data and get a list of unique values.

First, choose an empty column in your spreadsheet. Then, enter the UNIQUE function with the cell range you want to check. This function will display only the unique values, ignoring duplicates. For example, use =UNIQUE(A2:B15).

How to Visualize Your Chart Data in Google Sheets?

Have you ever stared at a sea of numbers, feeling lost? You’re not alone. Data visualization is the lifeboat in this ocean of information. However, Google Sheets, while popular, often leaves us high and dry in advanced visual analytics.

Enter ChartExpo, a game-changing Google Sheets graph maker. This tool bridges the gap between raw data and actionable insights. With ChartExpo, you can create visualizations in just three clicks.

Ready to turn your data into a goldmine of insights? Let’s explore how to visualize your chart data in Google Sheets with ChartExpo.

First…

Let’s learn how to install ChartExpo in Google Sheets.

• To start using ChartExpo, download it directly from the Google Sheets program. To do this, select Extensions from the top toolbar.
• A menu will appear. Click the Get add-ons option.
• Search for ChartExpo, and click on Charts, Graphs & Visualizations by ChartExpo when it appears in the results.
• Click the Install button. You will have to confirm your Google account and accept some permissions.

ChartExpo charts are available both in Google Sheets and Microsoft Excel. Please use the following CTAs to install the tool of your choice and create beautiful visualizations in a few clicks in your favorite tool.

Example

Let’s visualize the chart data below in Google Sheets using ChartExpo and glean valuable insights.

Destination	Shipping Method	Shipping Cost ($)
Local	Company A	10
National	Company A	50
International	Company A	30
Local	Company B	8
National	Company B	12
International	Company B	25
Local	Company C	20
National	Company C	25
International	Company C	50
Local	Company D	25
National	Company D	30
International	Company D	60
Local	Company E	40
National	Company E	15
International	Company E	100

• To get started with ChartExpo, install ChartExpo in Google Sheets.
• Go to Extensions > Charts, Graphs & Visualizations by ChartExpo > Open.

• To access the charts library, click the Add new chart button.

• Once ChartExpo is loaded. Click on “Comparison Bar Chart”.

• Select the data from your worksheet and click the Create Chart button.

• Your Comparison Bar Chart will appear as shown below.
• If you want to add anything to this chart, click on the “Edit Chart” button:

• First, you can add the header text on top of the chart:

• You can add the dollar sign with all values as follows:

• After making all the changes, you can click on the “Save” button as follows:

• The final chart image of the Comparison Bar Chart is as follows:

Insights

Shipping costs vary by destination and company.

• International shipping is usually the most expensive.
• Company E has the highest international shipping cost.
• Local shipping costs are the lowest.

What are the Best Practices for Removing Duplicates from Google Sheets?

Before removing duplicates in Google Sheets, it’s important to follow some best practices to ensure everything goes smoothly. Let’s explore the steps to make sure you do it right:

1. Backup data: Always start by creating a backup of your data. This way, if anything goes wrong, you can easily restore your original dataset.
2. Select the correct range: Make sure you highlight the exact range of cells where you want to remove duplicates. Accidentally selecting the wrong range could lead to unwanted data loss.
3. Use conditional formatting first: Before removing duplicates, use conditional formatting to highlight them. This visual check helps you spot potential issues or unexpected duplicates.
4. Review duplicate entries: Take a moment to review the highlighted duplicates manually. This ensures you don’t accidentally delete something important.
5. Customize duplicate criteria: Use the “Remove Duplicates” tool’s options to specify which columns to check for duplicates. Tailor these settings to fit your specific data needs.
6. Check for data integrity: After removing duplicates, verify your data remains consistent and accurate. Look for any unexpected changes that might have occurred during the process.
7. Document changes: Keep a record of the changes you made, especially if you’re working on a shared document. This helps maintain transparency and allows others to understand what was modified.

FAQs

What is the easiest way to remove duplicates in Google Sheets?

Use the “Remove Duplicates” tool:

1. Select your data range.
2. Go to “Data“, then click “Remove duplicates“.
3. Confirm your selection and the duplicates will be automatically deleted.

Can I undo the removal of duplicates in Google Sheets?

Yes, you can undo it. Just press “Ctrl + Z” (or “Cmd + Z” on Mac) immediately after removing duplicates. This will restore the removed entries.

How do I remove duplicates without sorting the data?

To remove duplicates without sorting, select your data range, then use the “Remove Duplicates” tool under the “Data” menu. This method preserves the original order of your data.

Wrap Up

Removing duplicates in Google Sheets is a simple yet powerful way to clean up your data. It ensures accuracy and makes your dataset more reliable.

By following a few easy steps, you can quickly eliminate any repeated entries.

Start by selecting the range of data you want to check for duplicates. This is crucial to ensure you only remove duplicates from the intended section of your sheet. Next, navigate to the “Data” menu and choose “Remove duplicates”.

Google Sheets will prompt you to confirm which columns to check for duplicates. This step allows you to customize the removal process based on your specific needs. Once you confirm, Google Sheets will automatically delete any duplicates found.

If you accidentally remove something important, don’t worry. You can easily undo the action with “Ctrl + Z” (or “Cmd + Z” on Mac). This makes the process safe and reversible.

By removing duplicates, you enhance the quality and integrity of your data. It also simplifies your analysis and ensures your conclusions are based on accurate information. With just a few clicks, you can keep your Google Sheets clean and efficient.