An exact match means two values have identical content and identical letter case. The EXACT function compares text values and determines whether they are perfectly identical.
- The EXACT function checks: Text content, Letter case (Uppercase / Lowercase)
- It does NOT check: Cell formatting, Font style, Cell color, Alignment
Understanding the EXACT Function
The EXACT function compares two text strings and returns a Boolean result:
- TRUE: If values are exactly the same
- FALSE: If values are different
Syntax:
=EXACT(text1, text2)
Step-by-Step Guide to Using the EXACT Function
Step 1: Setting Up Your Workbook
Assume you are comparing two columns of data.
- Column A: Original Data
- Column B: Data to Compare
- Column C: EXACT Function Result
Step 2: Enter Sample Data
Enter the following text values:
| Column A | Column B |
|---|---|
| Data | Data |
| Excel | excel |
| Report | Report |
| Sales | SALES |
| Match | Match |
Step 3: Apply the EXACT Function
In Column C (Cell C2), enter:
=EXACT(A2,B2)
This compares values in A2 and B2.
Step 4: Drag the Formula Down
Use the fill handle to apply the formula to remaining rows.
Step 5: Result Interpretation
EXACT vs Normal Comparison
| Method | Case Sensitive |
|---|---|
| EXACT Function | Yes |
| =A1=B1 | No |
Example:
=A1=B1
- Will treat DATA and data as same, then it will give TRUE.
But:
=EXACT(A1,B1)
- Will treat them as different then result will be FALSE.
Best Practices
- Use EXACT when case sensitivity matters
- Use normal comparison (=A1=B1) for general matching
- Clean data before comparison
- Avoid leading/trailing spaces in text