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Duplicate Formula in Google Sheets 

March 20, 2025 - 2:11
Duplicate Formula in Google Sheets 

In the realm of data analysis and spreadsheet management, efficiency is paramount. Google Sheets, with its intuitive interface and robust functionality, offers a myriad of tools to streamline your workflows. The google sheet duplicate formula is a powerful tool for identifying and managing duplicate entries within your spreadsheet. This simple yet effective technique can significantly reduce the time and effort required to create and maintain complex spreadsheets. In this Amrita Online article, we shall look into the different ways to duplicate formulas in Google Sheets, how to highlight duplicates in Google Sheets and how to find duplicates in google sheets. 

How to Highlight Duplicates in Google Sheets? 

Here’s how to highlight duplicates in Google Sheets using conditional formatting: 

Select the range of cells 

  • Click and drag your mouse over the cells you want to check for duplicates. 

Open the Conditional Formatting menu 

  • Go to Format > Conditional formatting.    

Create a new rule 

  • Click Add a rule. 

Set the condition 

  • In the Format cells if dropdown menu, select Custom formula is.    

Enter the formula 

  • In the formula bar, enter the following formula: =COUNTIF($A$2:$A$100, A2) > 1 
  • Replace $A$2:$A$100 with the actual range of cells you’re checking. Make sure to use absolute references ($) to keep the range fixed. 
  • The formula counts the occurrences of each value in the specified range. If the count is greater than 1, it means the value is a duplicate.    

Apply formatting 

  • Click the Format button to choose a formatting style for the duplicate cells (e.g., background color, font color, bold, etc.).    

Click Done 

  • Click Done to apply the conditional formatting rule.    

Now, the duplicate values in your selected range will be highlighted according to the formatting you chose. 

How to find Duplicates in Google Sheets 

“How to check duplicates in Google Sheets?” is a very common question that arises while using Google Sheets. Here are the two primary methods on how to find duplicates in Google Sheets: 

Using Conditional Formatting 

  • Select the range: Highlight the cells you want to check for duplicates.    
  • Open Conditional Formatting: Go to Format > Conditional formatting.    
  • Create a New Rule: Click Add a rule. 
  • Set the Condition: In the Format cells if dropdown, select Custom formula is.    
  • Enter the Formula: In the formula bar, input:  =COUNTIF($A$2:$A$100, A2) > 1 
  • Replace $A$2:$A$100 with your actual range. The $ signs ensure absolute references, preventing the range from changing as you drag the formula. 
  • Apply Formatting: Choose a formatting style (e.g., background color, font color) to highlight the duplicates.    
  • Click Done: This will apply the rule to your selected range.    

Using the UNIQUE Function 

  • Create a New Column: Insert a new column next to your data. 
  • Enter the UNIQUE Function: In the first cell of the new column, input: =UNIQUE(A2:A100) 
  • Replace A2:A100 with your actual range. This will list all unique values from the specified range.    
  • Compare and Identify: Visually compare the original data with the unique values to identify duplicates. 

Now you know how to check duplicates in google sheets. 

Real-World Applications of Formula Duplication 

  • Financial Modeling: Quickly create complex financial models by duplicating formulas for calculations like net present value, internal rate of return, and payback period. 
  • Data Analysis: Automate data cleaning and transformation tasks by duplicating formulas to filter, sort, and manipulate data. 
  • Report Generation: Generate dynamic reports with consistent formatting and calculations by duplicating formulas across multiple sheets. 
  • Project Management: Track project progress and resource allocation by duplicating formulas to calculate task durations, critical paths, and resource utilization. 

Ways to Duplicate Formula in Google Sheet 

Whether you’re cleaning up a large dataset or simply maintaining data accuracy, understanding how to implement the Google Sheets duplicate formula is essential. Here are the primary methods to duplicate formulas in Google Sheets: 

Autofill 

  • Enter the formula in the desired cell. 
  • Hover your mouse over the bottom-right corner of the cell until the cursor changes to a small black cross. 
  • Click and drag the cursor down or across the range of cells where you want to apply the formula. 
  • Google Sheets will automatically adjust the formula references as you drag. 

Fill Handle 

  • Enter the formula in the desired cell. 
  • Double-click the small blue square in the bottom-right corner of the cell. 
  • This will automatically fill the formula down the entire column or across the entire row.    

Keyboard Shortcut 

  • Select the cell containing the formula. 
  • Press Ctrl+D (Windows/Linux) or Command+D (Mac) to copy the formula down the column. 

Copy and Paste 

  • Select the cell with the formula. 
  • Press Ctrl+C (or Command+C) to copy. 
  • Select the target cell(s) and press Ctrl+V (or Command+V) to paste. 

Paste Special 

  • Copy the formula as usual. 
  • Right-click the target cell and select “Paste Special.” 
  • Choose “Formulas Only” and click “OK” to paste only the formula without formatting.    

ARRAYFORMULA 

  • Use the ARRAYFORMULA function to apply a formula to a range of cells at once. 
  • For example, =ARRAYFORMULA(A2:A10*B2:B10) multiplies corresponding values in columns A and B. 
Method Description Example 
Autofill Drag the corner of a cell containing a formula to copy it to adjacent cells. Enter a formula in cell A1: =SUM(B1:C1) Drag the bottom-right corner of A1 to cells A2, A3, etc. to automatically adjust the formula for each row. 
Fill Handle Click and drag the small square at the bottom-right corner of a cell to quickly fill a range with a formula. Enter a formula in cell A1: =A2*B2. Double-click the fill handle to copy the formula down the column. 
Keyboard Shortcut Use Ctrl+D (Windows/Linux) or Command+D (Mac) to quickly fill a formula down a column. Enter a formula in cell A1. Select cell A1 and press Ctrl+D (or Command+D) to copy the formula to the cells below. 
Copy and Paste Copy a formula from one cell and paste it into another. Select the cell with the formula. Press Ctrl+C (or Command+C) to copy. Select the target cell and press Ctrl+V (or Command+V) to paste. 
Paste Special Use Paste Special to paste only the formula without formatting. Copy the formula as usual. Right-click the target cell and select “Paste Special.” Choose “Formulas Only” and click “OK.” 
Array Formulas Use ARRAYFORMULA to apply a formula to a range of cells at once. Enter the formula =ARRAYFORMULA(A2:A10*B2:B10) in a single cell to multiply corresponding values in columns A and B. 

By following these methods, you learn google sheet duplicate formula. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

What is the formula for duplicates in Google Sheets? 

The formula =COUNTIF($A$2:$A$100, A2) > 1 can be used to identify duplicate values in a range of cells in Google Sheets, where $A$2:$A$100 is the range to check and A2 is the current cell being evaluated. 

How do you duplicate a function in Google Sheets? 

You can duplicate a function in Google Sheets by copying and pasting it into another cell or by using the autofill feature to drag the formula down or across a range of cells. 

How do I compare duplicates in Google Sheets? 

You can use conditional formatting to highlight duplicate values or use the UNIQUE function to list unique values and compare them to the original data to identify duplicates. 

How to repeat formula in Google Sheets? 

To repeat a formula in Google Sheets, either drag the bottom-right corner of the cell containing the formula to the desired range or use the fill handle. 

How to check duplicates in Google Sheets? 

To identify duplicate values in Google Sheets, use the COUNTIF formula, conditional formatting, or the built-in “Remove Duplicates” function. 

Conclusion 

By mastering the art of formula duplication, you can significantly enhance your productivity and accuracy in Google Sheets. From simple calculations to complex data analysis, this powerful technique is a valuable tool for any spreadsheet user. 

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