Excel duplicate files finder

**migindya** · 02-19-2010, 03:05 PM

This is my first post, so please excuse me if I have inadvertently committed a mistake in posting this.
1. I have a folder containing 150 excel files.
2. I know 4 files (say - A, B, C and D) in this folder are different from each other.
3. Remaining 146 files are identical to ANY ONE one of these four files (A, B, C and D)
4. In other words, there are four groups of files that are different from each other
5. Structure of each file is similar - all headers are same

a. How can I identify these 4 groups of files by contents?
b. Is there a tool inside Excel 2007 / 2003 that can help me achieve this?
c. Do I need to purchase a software to do this?
d. Is there any freeware that can achieve this?

Currently we are doing a huge donkey work by comparing each file with one another.
Thanks in advance.
Arvind

**JBeaucaire** · 02-19-2010, 03:35 PM

If you can describe fully how you are manually doing the comparison and deciding which file belongs to which group, then a macro should be able to sort through the folder and do the same comparison for you much faster.

For instance...

GROUP A always has "DogFood" in cell A1

You say the headers are the same in ALL files, so that won't work. But you are managing to tell which file belongs to which group somehow...so if you illustrate all four group characteristics, it can be done.

Also, what do you want done after each file is identified as one group. Specifically, what is the end goal?

**migindya** · 02-19-2010, 03:56 PM

That is correct. We are somewhow managing to find the differences. Let describe the file structures:
a. All the files consist of 6 columns (product, description, price, discounts, date available and store available)
b. There are about 200 rows (that means there are 200 products listed in each row)
c. The difference in these groups of files can occur anywhere in the product column, price column or discount column.
d. We pick up two files (say A and B); paste file B's contents below those in A; then run ASAP utilities (duplicate / unique records finder)
e. If ASAP utilities report everything to be duplicate, we assign B to group A
f. If ASAP utilities report difference(s) between A and B contents, we assign file B to group B
g. Then we pick up file C and repeat this procedure - twice if A and B HAD BEEN identified different from each other. Now file C can go to group A, or group B or make its own group C. Now that we know there will be only four groups, files E onwards will have to be compared to A, B, C and D.
And we are definitely not proud of this donkey work.
We tried some 'duplicate file finders' in the market, but none could really report precisely.
It takes 3-4 staff members eating up 2-3 hours for this otherwise innocuous looking stuff.

Arvind

**JBeaucaire** · 02-19-2010, 04:11 PM

Based on that process, I have nothing to suggest.

**JBeaucaire** · 02-19-2010, 05:23 PM

Crossposting the same question in multiple forums requires you to include links to the crossposts. It's not only courteous, it's a Forum Rule here.

http://www.mrexcel.com/forum/showthread.php?t=449749

**ravishankar** · 02-20-2010, 12:32 PM

Hi
With out knowing the logic of what differentiates the 4 groups Or what is similar with in each group, it is difficult to offer a solution. Save the attached file inside the folder with 150+files and run the macro. It lists all filenames in col A and data from 6 columns in B to G. You should specify the row number to be pulled for comparison.
Hope that Helps
ravi

**royUK** · 02-20-2010, 12:38 PM

Your post does not comply with Rule 8 of our Forum RULES. Cross-posting is when you post the same question in other forums on the web. You'll find people are disinclined to respond to cross-posts because they may be wasting their time solving a problem that has been solved elsewhere. We prefer that you not cross-post at all, but if you do (and it's unlikely to go unnoticed), you MUST provide a link (copy the url from the address bar in your browser)to the cross-post. Expect cross-posts without a link to be closed a message will be posted by the moderator explaining why. We are here to help so help us help you!