How Do I Delete Duplicates In Google Sheets

In this tutorial, we will explore three methods for deleting duplicates in Google Sheets:

• Using the “Remove duplicates” feature

• Using the “Filter” feature (See Also: How To Use Google Docs Sheets)

• Using a script

We will delve into each method in detail, providing step-by-step instructions and examples to help you master the art of deleting duplicates in Google Sheets.

How Do I Delete Duplicates In Google Sheets?

Deleting duplicates in Google Sheets can be a tedious task, but it’s essential to maintain data accuracy and efficiency. In this article, we’ll explore the various methods to delete duplicates in Google Sheets, including using built-in functions, add-ons, and scripts.

Method 1: Using the Built-in Function

The most straightforward way to delete duplicates in Google Sheets is by using the built-in UNIQUE function. This function returns a range of unique values, which can be used to delete duplicates.

To use the UNIQUE function, follow these steps:

• Select the range of cells that contains the data you want to remove duplicates from.
• Go to the “Insert” menu and select “Function” or use the shortcut key “Ctrl+Shift+F” (Windows) or “Cmd+Shift+F” (Mac).
• In the function dialog box, enter the following formula: =UNIQUE(A1:A10), replacing “A1:A10” with the range of cells you selected.
• Press “Enter” to apply the formula.
• Select the range of cells that contains the duplicates and delete them.

Method 2: Using the Remove Duplicates Add-on

If you need to delete duplicates frequently, you can use the Remove Duplicates add-on, which is available for free in the Google Sheets add-on store.

To use the Remove Duplicates add-on, follow these steps: (See Also: How To Make Columns On Google Sheets)

• Open your Google Sheet and go to the “Add-ons” menu.
• Search for “Remove Duplicates” and select the add-on from the search results.
• Click “Install” to install the add-on.
• Once installed, click on the “Remove Duplicates” button in the add-on menu.
• Follow the prompts to select the range of cells that contains the data you want to remove duplicates from.
• Click “Remove Duplicates” to delete the duplicates.

Method 3: Using a Script

If you need to delete duplicates in a large dataset or want to automate the process, you can use a script. Google Sheets has a built-in scripting language called Google Apps Script.

To use a script to delete duplicates, follow these steps:

• Open your Google Sheet and go to the “Tools” menu.
• Select “Script editor” to open the Google Apps Script editor.
• Replace the existing code with the following script:

function removeDuplicates() {
  var sheet = SpreadsheetApp.getActiveSheet();
  var data = sheet.getRange("A1:A10").getValues();
  var uniqueData = [];
  for (var i = 0; i < data.length; i++) {
    var row = data[i];
    var exists = false;
    for (var j = 0; j < uniqueData.length; j++) {
      if (row.join() == uniqueData[j].join()) {
        exists = true;
        break;
      }
    }
    if (!exists) {
      uniqueData.push(row);
    }
  }
  sheet.getRange(1, 1, uniqueData.length, uniqueData[0].length).setValues(uniqueData);
}

• Save the script by clicking on the floppy disk icon or pressing “Ctrl+S” (Windows) or “Cmd+S” (Mac).
• Run the script by clicking on the “Run” button or pressing “F5” (Windows) or “Cmd+Enter” (Mac).

Recap

In this article, we’ve explored three methods to delete duplicates in Google Sheets: using the built-in UNIQUE function, the Remove Duplicates add-on, and a script. Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages, and the choice of method depends on the size and complexity of your dataset.

By following the steps outlined in this article, you should be able to delete duplicates in Google Sheets efficiently and accurately.

Here are five FAQs related to “How Do I Delete Duplicates In Google Sheets”:

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best way to identify duplicates in Google Sheets?

To identify duplicates in Google Sheets, you can use the built-in “Remove duplicates” feature. Select the range of cells you want to check, go to the “Data” menu, and click on “Remove duplicates”. Google Sheets will then highlight the duplicate rows.

How do I delete duplicates in Google Sheets using the “Remove duplicates” feature?

To delete duplicates in Google Sheets using the “Remove duplicates” feature, select the range of cells you want to check, go to the “Data” menu, and click on “Remove duplicates”. In the “Remove duplicates” dialog box, select the range of cells you want to remove duplicates from, and then click on “OK”. Google Sheets will then remove the duplicate rows.

Can I use a formula to delete duplicates in Google Sheets?

Yes, you can use a formula to delete duplicates in Google Sheets. One way to do this is to use the “FILTER” function to filter out duplicate rows. For example, you can use the following formula: `=FILTER(A1:B10, COUNTIF(A1:A10, A1:A10)=1)`. This formula will return a list of unique values in column A.

How do I delete duplicates in Google Sheets using a script?

To delete duplicates in Google Sheets using a script, you can use the “getRange” and “getValues” methods to read the data, and then use the “filter” method to remove duplicate rows. Here is an example script: `function deleteDuplicates() { var sheet = SpreadsheetApp.getActiveSheet(); var data = sheet.getRange(“A1:B10”).getValues(); var uniqueData = data.filter(function(row, index, self) { return self.indexOf(row) === index; }); sheet.getRange(1, 1, uniqueData.length, uniqueData[0].length).setValues(uniqueData); }`. This script will delete duplicate rows in the range A1:B10.

Can I delete duplicates in Google Sheets based on multiple columns?

Yes, you can delete duplicates in Google Sheets based on multiple columns. To do this, you can use the “REMOVE DUPLICATES” feature and select the columns you want to check for duplicates. Alternatively, you can use a script to delete duplicates based on multiple columns. For example, you can use the following script: `function deleteDuplicates() { var sheet = SpreadsheetApp.getActiveSheet(); var data = sheet.getRange(“A1:C10”).getValues(); var uniqueData = data.filter(function(row, index, self) { return self.some(function(otherRow) { return row.join() === otherRow.join() && row !== otherRow; }); }); sheet.getRange(1, 1, uniqueData.length, uniqueData[0].length).setValues(uniqueData); }`. This script will delete duplicate rows in the range A1:C10 based on the values in columns A, B, and C.