I have a file where the same name, location, etc. is spelled multiple ways. For example if I had a name column and the strings are as such
B Jones
B. Jones
BradJones
bradjones
brad jon
I hope you can get the idea. How should I go about making all these strings into the same thing "Brad Jones" So that later those rows can be summarized? I am sure this happens often and can't understand how I can't find and answer already online.
Is there a shorter way of doing it than just using multiple Regex, or if/else statements, or Find replace? I have over 300 entries, I do not have a reference table to do matching. I also have the issue that sometimes new spellings or formatting can be added with new data.
Any Recommendations.
I would recommend the combination of the Fuzzy Match Tool and then the Make Group Tool to "create" the lookup table for mapping / joining.
In "Fuzzy Match Open Example" there is a fantastic example as pictured down below: