Need Excel formula for checking data?

Question

I need to be able to enter a column of data in an Excel spreadsheet (dollars and cents), then re-enter the exact same data in another column, having a formula in it that gives an error or beep or something if the values entered in the second column's rows are in any way different from those entered in the first column's rows. The purpose is to make sure there were no typos when the column of numbers was entered. But I know nothing about writing Excel formulas. Any ideas?

Answer 1

1. Assume your data is in A column, and you want the same number to be entered again in B column.

2. Place your mouse on B1, then click on "Data" > "Validation" > "Setting" > choose one that fits your data format (let's say "allow decimal") > "Data" Equal to "Value" A1 > Input Massage > you can leave it blank or enter something like "Enter the same number appears on the left" > "Error Alert" > choose the "Style" of the alert > "Error Message" can be left blank, or you can enter "Error! The number entered is wrong!"

3. Copy B1 & paste all the way down to match A column

Answer 2

If you are putting data in columns A and B then select B1 and click Format->Conditional Formatting. Change the drop down to say "Formula equals" and in the box type:

=A1<>B1

Then select on the patterns tab, select yellow (or whatever color you want) and click OK.

Now with B1 still selected, click on Format Painter (the paintbrush icon) and then highlight the rest of column B.

Then whenever the value in column A is not the same as the corresponding number in column B, the cell will highlight yellow.

Answer 3

Yes
You can use conditional formatting
Select the cell in the second column, go to, Format > Conditional Formatting
Then in the that dialog change the conditon to "Not Equal to" and change the text box to the right to
=A1
assuming that A1 has the cell that would be compared to

Note: Make sure you have A1 not $A$1

Enjoy my profile, I am the VBAXLMan

Answer 4

simpler way is to use a subtaction statement...
ok you can do like this...

Column A for the values, Column B for the exact same values... Column C = Column A - Column B...

The value in column C if not 0 then there is a typo.

Simple.

P.S. this only works on numbers...

Answer 5

data 1 in a column
data 2 in b column

=if(a1<>b1,"error in data"," ")

which means if a does not equal b give message back 'error in data' if equal return a blank

Answer 6

If you write

=(A1)

in a cell other than A1, the data in the Cell A1 will appear in the cell.

If you say
=(A1 + A2)

then the sum of cell A1 and Cell A2 will be carried to the Cell in which you have written the formula.