Matching numbers that aren't exactly same

[Ishi_ta]

Hi,

Is there a way to match numbers from two data sets that don't match exactly?

As you can see, names overlap in some cases as well. Latitude & longitude are similar but don't match exactly. 

There is more than 500 rows in the second data set which I need to map to the first set.

Name	Latitude	Longitude	Calculated 3 month avg rainfall	Actual Total Rainfall_Last 3 months
ANNA CREEK	-28.9	136.17	76609.58936	0
APPILA	-33.05	138.43	89.74285714	76.4
ARDROSSAN CREEK	-34.42	137.92	12839.78298	25
ARNO BAY	-33.91	136.57	65.56530612	37.6
ARTHUR RIVER COMP	-33.34	117.03	232307.8935	47.4
AUGATHELLA POST OFFICE	-25.8	146.58	118.9666667	3.4
AYRSHIRE DOWNS	-21.97	142.72	12901.37872	176.4

Name	Latitude	Longitude	Population as at 30 June 2016
ANNA	-28.86	136.67	5102
APPILA	-33.35	138.83	2343
ARD	-34.72	137.32	4894
ARNO BAY	-33.91	136.67	1989
ARTHUR RIVER COMP	-33.04	117.03	0
AUGATHELLA	-25.56	146.58	6844
DOWNS	-21.17	142.72	6000

Thanks.

[grossal · Accepted solution]

Hi @Ishi_ta,

I think you have a couple options:

1) Round numbers

Create a new column for Latitude and Longitude with rounded numbers (Formula Tool) and Join them together on the rounded numbers, you can still provide the original (more precise) coodinates.

2) Spatial Join

Create points try to spatially join them when they have a very small distance between each other. You can probably use the Find Nearest Tool.

I'll attach my workflow. You'll probably need some fine tuning with the "Max distance" and/or "How many nearest points to find?".

Regards

Alex

[danilang]

Hi @grossal 

Good solution from @grossal.  For name matches look into using the Fuzzy Match tool.

Dan