Excel UNIQUE Function: Remove Duplicates with Dynamic Formulas
Master the UNIQUE function in Excel 365 for dynamic duplicate removal. Learn syntax, examples, and advanced techniques with real-world applications.
📋Overview
The UNIQUE function in Excel 365 provides a powerful way to remove duplicates dynamically. Unlike the traditional Remove Duplicates feature, UNIQUE creates formulas that automatically update when your source data changes.
1Basic UNIQUE Function
Learn the fundamental syntax and usage of the UNIQUE function.
Simple UNIQUE Formula
Use the basic UNIQUE function to extract unique values from a single column.
=UNIQUE(A1:A100)💡 Tips
- •Results spill automatically to adjacent cells
- •Formula updates when source data changes
Multi-Column UNIQUE
Apply UNIQUE to multiple columns to find unique combinations.
=UNIQUE(A1:C100)💡 Tips
- •Considers all selected columns for uniqueness
- •Preserves all column data in results
UNIQUE with Parameters
Use optional parameters to control how UNIQUE behaves.
=UNIQUE(A1:A100, FALSE, TRUE)💡 Tips
- •Second parameter: FALSE for columns, TRUE for rows
- •Third parameter: TRUE to return unique values that appear only once
Pros
- ✓Dynamic updates
- ✓Preserves original data
- ✓Easy to modify
Cons
- ✗Only available in Excel 365
- ✗Results take up multiple cells
2Advanced UNIQUE Techniques
Combine UNIQUE with other functions for powerful duplicate removal solutions.
UNIQUE with SORT
Combine UNIQUE and SORT functions for alphabetically sorted unique values.
=SORT(UNIQUE(A1:A100))💡 Tips
- •Results are both unique and sorted
- •Can sort by multiple columns
UNIQUE with FILTER
Use UNIQUE with FILTER to get unique values that meet specific criteria.
=UNIQUE(FILTER(A1:A100, B1:B100>100))💡 Tips
- •First filters data, then finds unique values
- •Powerful for conditional unique lists
Counting Unique Values
Count how many unique values exist using COUNTA with UNIQUE.
=COUNTA(UNIQUE(A1:A100))💡 Tips
- •Gives you the count of unique items
- •Useful for summary statistics
Pros
- ✓Very flexible
- ✓Can combine multiple functions
- ✓Handles complex scenarios
Cons
- ✗More complex formulas
- ✗Requires understanding of multiple functions
❓Frequently Asked Questions
QWhat's the difference between UNIQUE and Remove Duplicates?
UNIQUE creates a dynamic formula that updates automatically, while Remove Duplicates is a one-time action that permanently modifies your data.
QCan I use UNIQUE function in older Excel versions?
No, UNIQUE is only available in Excel 365 and Excel 2021. Older versions need to use traditional methods like Remove Duplicates or Advanced Filter.
QHow do I handle errors when using UNIQUE?
Wrap UNIQUE in IFERROR function: =IFERROR(UNIQUE(A1:A100),"No unique values found"). This handles cases where no unique values exist.
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