As data is entered or entered into a spreadsheet, it may be necessary to count the unique values that make up the cells in the table. Because the duplicate numbers are constantly manifesting within them.
The person, like the creator, is fully qualified to carry out the account manually, but in the case of those databases that are extensive, it is necessary to opt for another solution.
Microsoft Excel has become one of the most important Windows tools that make up the Office suite, as it is available to complete high-priority tasks.
So far it has shown it at the time of needing to count the unique values that are part of a database since it manages to complete the function in record time through different shortcuts.
Knowing in-depth the advanced settings of this program is very simple, so great benefits await you if you continue reading.
Use filters to be able to count the unique values within a table
As the information in a table is formed, a piece of data may be repetitive and indeterminate number of times, which makes it be considered a “duplicate”.
By counting cells with unique values within a specific column, a methodology that Excel has is performed to ignore those numbers or texts that are repeated. So make an accurate count on certain information.
One of the shortcuts that allows you to complete this process is the advanced filter. An Excel tool that manages to extract the number of unique values that make up the range of a column. It is also possible to automate this process by using a macro to count cells with data.
Instructions for using advanced filter to extract unique values
After having selected the range of cells within which the calculation will be made, go to the “Data” tab found in the program’s toolbar.
Within the “Sort and filter” button, you will find the “Advanced” option, where all the necessary adjustments will be made to complete the procedure.
When the small configuration window appears, click on “Copy to another location”. Then refer to the cell where you want the result of counting the unique values of the range to appear.
This will only be achieved by activating the ” Only unique records ” box. After accepting it, it will be executed automatically, thus appearing the result in the indicated cell of the spreadsheet.
Count unique values in a range via Excel formulas
Microsoft Excel has the ability to run like a big computer. In addition to processing data, it has a series of formulas that allow it to perform mathematical operations. All thought to facilitate the user’s work. Within its formulas are very simple functions, which when combined with each other, are capable of performing this type of task.
Steps to use Excel formulas to extract unique values from a range
One of the first that will be used within the sheet is ” SUMPRODUCT “. As its name implies, it is responsible for adding the products or values of a specific range. Although it is also possible to add data from cells from different sheets.
Likewise, “ COUNTIF ” is a function that seeks to determine the parameters, called conditions, to evaluate whether a piece of data complies with them to form part of the formula.
When selecting the cell where you want the result to appear, you must enter the following formula:
- ” = SUMPRODUCT (1 / COUNTIF ( Column range )) “.
On the other hand, through the “Formula Library,” you can also use the aforementioned functions, to request the count manually.
As a result, the number of unique values that make up the range of a column will automatically appear (within the cell you have chosen for the result).
Excel is a very simple program to use. Since it has multiple functions to enable its formulas or orders, and thus complete a specific task.
That is why today it is an irreplaceable tool. Well, its ability to calculate and manipulate databases is incomparable compared to other programs.