How to Remove Duplicates in Google Sheets

Duplicate entries in spreadsheets can lead to inaccurate data analysis, repeated contacts, or unnecessary clutter. Thankfully, Google Sheets provides a simple built-in tool that helps you quickly remove duplicate values from your data.

Whether you're managing lists of names, email addresses, products, or any other records, this feature will help keep your data clean and organized.

In this blog post, you’ll learn step-by-step how to remove duplicates in Google Sheets using the built-in function, plus some advanced tips using formulas.

How to Remove Duplicates in Google Sheets | Step-by-Step Tutorial

Method 1: Using the Built-in “Remove Duplicates” Tool

Open Your Google Sheet

Go to Google Sheets and open the file with duplicates.

Select the Data Range

Highlight the rows or columns where duplicates may exist. Include the header if applicable.

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Click on Data > Data cleanup > Remove duplicates

This will open a popup with several options.

Set Your Preferences

Check “Data has header row” if your first row contains column headers.

Select the columns to analyze for duplicates. You can select all or specific ones.

Click “Remove duplicates”

Sheets will scan and remove the duplicates, showing how many entries were deleted and how many unique ones remain.

Method 2: Using a Formula to Filter Unique Values

Create a New Column or Sheet

Choose a space where the cleaned data will appear.

Enter the UNIQUE Formula

Type:

Replace A2:A with your data range. This will display only unique values from the original list.

Conclusion

Removing duplicates in Google Sheets is a quick and efficient process, whether you use the built-in tool or formulas.

Keeping your data clean not only saves time but also ensures accurate reporting and decision-making. Make this a regular habit to avoid data clutter and confusion.

FAQs can take you forward!

Will the “Remove duplicates” tool delete the original data?

Yes, it removes duplicate entries directly from the original selection, so consider duplicating your data first if needed.

Can I remove duplicates from multiple columns at once?

Yes, just select multiple columns before opening the “Remove duplicates” tool.

What if I only want to remove duplicates based on one column, not the whole row?

You can uncheck other columns during the “Remove duplicates” process and keep only the column you want to evaluate.

Is there an undo option after removing duplicates?

Yes! Just press Ctrl + Z (or Cmd + Z on Mac) to undo the action immediately.