When using Duplicate Items, users often ask about 3 areas: undo recovery, matching rules, and processing scope; this FAQ includes 3 common questions.
FAQ
Can I undo Remove Duplicates after it finishes?
- Press Ctrl+Z immediately after the removal is completed.
- Check whether the sheet returns to its previous state.
- If many later edits have already been made, compare with a backup copy of the file.
How do I remove duplicates based on only some columns?
- Select the target data range and open the Remove Duplicates dialog box.
- Clear the checkboxes for columns that should not be used.
- Keep only the key columns selected, then click OK to remove duplicates by those columns.
What is the difference between Highlight Duplicates and Remove Duplicates?
- Highlight Duplicates only adds color marks and does not delete data.
- Remove Duplicates deletes later repeated records and keeps the first retained record.
- If you want to review data before cleanup, use Highlight Duplicates first.
Glossary
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Duplicate item | A cell or record in the selected range that is identified as repeated content. |
| Highlight Duplicates | A command that marks repeated data with color for review without changing the original records directly. |
| Remove Duplicates | A command that checks duplicates by selected columns, removes later repeated records, and keeps the first retained record. |