Remove duplicates in row but keep column contents

[timbo4656]

Is there an easy way to remove an entire row if there is a duplicate in the first column?

For example, Remove name A (address 123) but keep Name A w/ address 143?

Name Address
A 123
A 143
B 456
C 789
D 101

So the new list would be:

Name Address
A 143
B 456
C 789
D 101


I only have two columns and thousands of rows so if theres a way to easily remove that would be great

 

[JoeMo]

What criterion or criteria do you use to decide which of the duplicates to remove?

 

[Peter_SSs]

Welcome to the MrExcel board!

Also..

Are you looking for a manual method or macro?

What version of Excel are you using?

 

[timbo4656]

What criterion or criteria do you use to decide which of the duplicates to remove?

so long as it is a duplicate in column 1 I would like to remove the entire row. the data in column 2 is actually a date but they all are in the same month so it's not a big deal if I remove 05/01 vs. 05/15. I just need to get rid of any duplicates in column 1, though there may be 3-4 of the same name in the entire list.

Ex:

Name
A
A
B
C
A
D

I would like to remove all but 1 of the A's. Again, doesnt really matter which two get removed so long as it removed the entire row. Hope this makes more sense.

I am using excel 2010. Manual vs macro doesnt matter but which ever is easiest will help a lot since i'm fairly new to excel

 

[Peter_SSs]

In that case it's pretty easy.

1. Select columns A & B

2. Data ribbon tab|Remove Duplicates|Remove the tick from the second column|OK|OK

 

[JoeMo]

Use Remove Duplicates on the Data menu.

 

[timbo4656]

In that case it's pretty easy.

1. Select column A by clicking its heading label.

2. Data ribbon tab|Remove Duplicates|Continue with the current selection|Remove Duplicates...|OK|OK

I appreciate the help, guys! However, not exactly what I want to do

The Remove Duplicates option is helpful but I want it to delete the entire row. So if it removes name A i would need the Date associated with it to be removed as well.

Looks like a criteria would be helpful so it could be to remove all the duplicate names except for the one with the most recent date.

Ex:

A - 5/1
B - 5/2
A - 5/2
A- 5/3
C - 5/5
D - 5/5

So in this case i would like to keep A - 5/3.

 

[JoeMo]

First sort on the date column in descending order. Then select the data set and use remove duplicates with the second box unchecked. The dates that are companions to the duplicates in the first column will be removed along with the duplicates in the first column.

 

[Peter_SSs]

I appreciate the help, guys! However, not exactly what I want to do

The Remove Duplicates option is helpful but I want it to delete the entire row. So if it removes name A i would need the Date associated with it to be removed as well.

You were too quick looking at my post.

I had made a mistake when posting that. I subsequently edited my post so have another look at it and try again (though it doesn't deal with just keeping the most recent date).

 

[timbo4656]

wow, much easier than i thought! thanks so much for the help everyone...you have no idea how much time this is going to save