To find matches between two columns - if column 1 is contained within column 2

[Lauren_Holmes]

Hello,

I need some help with how to find "Matches" and "No Matches" between two fields. 

I have been using the "if contains" formula however this is not giving me the desired output.

Example below:

Column 1 and 2 show what the inputs are, and column 3 is what the desired output should show. However the last column is showing what the current if contains statement is showing. 

COLUMN 1	COLUMN 2	MATCH?	CURRENT IF STATEMENT RETURNS:
NONE	NONE1	MATCH	NO MATCH
12208937	12208937A	MATCH	NO MATCH
UNKNOWN	UNKNOWN71	MATCH	NO MATCH
21700000170201	170201	NO MATCH	MATCH

I am really not sure if this is possible. I have a number of columns containing "NONE" or "UNKNOWN" and with this the 1/71 at the end shows the number of times this "unknown" is used. This needs to remain however needs to be shown as a "match".

Any advice would be appreciated!

[Jonathan-Sherman · Accepted solution]

Hi @Lauren_Holmes,

I think perhaps you have the conditions reversed in the Contains() function?

In the Contains function we have a "string" and "target". The string is the field we're looking for the target value in. Therefore in your case the string field is Column2 and target field is Column1.

IF Contains([COLUMN 2], [COLUMN 1])
THEN 'MATCH'
ELSE 'NO MATCH'
ENDIF

I've attached my workflow for you to download if needed!

Kind regards,

Jonathan

[Lauren_Holmes]

One day my brain will start working! Why I didn't try this before, thank you for letting me know! 🙂

[Jonathan-Sherman]

No problem at all! 🙂