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Removing duplicates in Google Sheets - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

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Recall & Review
beginner
What does the UNIQUE() function do in Google Sheets?
The UNIQUE() function returns a list of unique values from a range, removing any duplicates.
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beginner
How do you remove duplicate rows from a dataset in Google Sheets?
You can use the Data > Data cleanup > Remove duplicates menu option or use the UNIQUE() function to create a list without duplicates.
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beginner
What happens if you use =UNIQUE(A2:A10) on a list with repeated names?
It will return a list of names from A2 to A10 but only show each name once, removing repeated entries.
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intermediate
Can UNIQUE() function handle multiple columns?
Yes, UNIQUE() can take multiple columns as input and will remove duplicate rows based on all columns combined.
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intermediate
What is the difference between using the menu option 'Remove duplicates' and the UNIQUE() function?
The menu option removes duplicates directly from the original data, changing it. The UNIQUE() function creates a new list without duplicates, leaving original data unchanged.
Click to reveal answer
Which function in Google Sheets removes duplicate values from a range?
AFILTER()
BREMOVE()
CUNIQUE()
DSORT()
What does the 'Remove duplicates' option under Data menu do?
ARemoves duplicate rows from the selected range
BHighlights duplicates
CSorts data alphabetically
DDeletes the entire sheet
If you want to keep the original data unchanged but get a list without duplicates, what should you use?
ADelete duplicates manually
BUse UNIQUE() function
CUse Remove duplicates menu option
DUse SORT() function
Can UNIQUE() remove duplicates based on multiple columns together?
AYes, it considers all columns in the range
BOnly if columns are sorted
CNo, only one column at a time
DOnly if columns have numbers
What will =UNIQUE(A2:A10) return if A2:A10 contains: Apple, Banana, Apple, Orange?
AApple only
BApple, Banana, Apple, Orange
CBanana, Orange
DApple, Banana, Orange
Explain how to remove duplicates from a list in Google Sheets without changing the original data.
Think about a function that filters unique values.
You got /3 concepts.
    Describe the difference between using the 'Remove duplicates' menu option and the UNIQUE() function.
    One changes your data directly, the other keeps it safe.
    You got /3 concepts.

      Practice

      (1/5)
      1. What does the UNIQUE(range) function do in Google Sheets?
      easy
      A. It highlights duplicate values in the range.
      B. It sorts the values in the range alphabetically.
      C. It counts how many times each value appears in the range.
      D. It returns only the unique values from the given range, removing duplicates.

      Solution

      1. Step 1: Understand the purpose of UNIQUE()

        The UNIQUE() function is designed to filter out repeated values and return only distinct entries from a range.

      2. Step 2: Compare options with UNIQUE() behavior

        'It returns only the unique values from the given range, removing duplicates.' correctly describes that UNIQUE() returns unique values by removing duplicates.

      3. Final Answer:

        It returns only the unique values from the given range, removing duplicates. -> Option D

      4. Quick Check:

        UNIQUE(range) = unique values [OK]
      Hint: Remember: UNIQUE() filters duplicates, not sorting or counting [OK]
      Common Mistakes:
      • Confusing UNIQUE() with SORT()
      • Thinking UNIQUE() counts duplicates
      • Assuming UNIQUE() highlights duplicates
      2. Which of these is the correct syntax to remove duplicates from the range A1:A10 in Google Sheets?
      easy
      A. FILTER_DUPLICATES(A1:A10)
      B. REMOVE_DUPLICATES(A1:A10)
      C. UNIQUE(A1:A10)
      D. DELETE_DUPLICATES(A1:A10)

      Solution

      1. Step 1: Identify the correct function name

        Google Sheets uses UNIQUE() to remove duplicates, not any other function names.

      2. Step 2: Check the syntax format

        The correct syntax is UNIQUE(range), so UNIQUE(A1:A10) is valid and works as expected.

      3. Final Answer:

        UNIQUE(A1:A10) -> Option C

      4. Quick Check:

        Correct syntax = UNIQUE(range) [OK]
      Hint: Use UNIQUE() exactly, no other function removes duplicates [OK]
      Common Mistakes:
      • Using non-existent functions like REMOVE_DUPLICATES()
      • Adding extra parentheses or commas incorrectly
      • Confusing with FILTER() function
      3. Given the data in cells A1:A6 as:
      1
      2
      2
      3
      1
      4
      What will be the result of =UNIQUE(A1:A6)?
      medium
      A. [1, 2, 3, 4]
      B. [1, 2, 2, 3, 1, 4]
      C. [4, 3, 2, 1]
      D. [1, 3, 4]

      Solution

      1. Step 1: List unique values from the data

        The values are 1, 2, 2, 3, 1, 4. Unique values in order of first appearance are 1, 2, 3, 4.

      2. Step 2: Understand UNIQUE() output

        UNIQUE() returns these unique values as a vertical array: 1, 2, 3, 4.

      3. Final Answer:

        [1, 2, 3, 4] -> Option A

      4. Quick Check:

        UNIQUE removes duplicates, keeps first order [OK]
      Hint: UNIQUE() keeps first occurrence, removes repeats [OK]
      Common Mistakes:
      • Expecting sorted output instead of original order
      • Including duplicates in the result
      • Confusing UNIQUE() with SORT()
      4. You wrote =UNIQUE(A1:A5, TRUE, FALSE, TRUE) but get an error. What is wrong?
      medium
      A. TRUE should be FALSE to remove duplicates.
      B. UNIQUE() takes at most three arguments, extra TRUE causes error.
      C. The range A1:A5 is invalid for UNIQUE().
      D. UNIQUE() requires a second argument to work.

      Solution

      1. Step 1: Check UNIQUE() function arguments

        UNIQUE() accepts one required argument (range) and up to two optional boolean arguments ([by_column], [exactly_once]). Adding a fourth TRUE is invalid syntax.

      2. Step 2: Understand error cause

        Passing more than three arguments causes a formula parse error in Google Sheets.

      3. Final Answer:

        UNIQUE() takes at most three arguments, extra TRUE causes error. -> Option B

      4. Quick Check:

        UNIQUE(range[, by_col][, exact]) only up to 3 args [OK]
      Hint: UNIQUE() takes at most 3 arguments, no extras [OK]
      Common Mistakes:
      • Adding extra arguments to UNIQUE()
      • Thinking TRUE/FALSE controls duplicate removal
      • Using invalid ranges
      5. You have a table with columns A (Name) and B (City) from rows 1 to 8. Some rows have duplicate Name and City pairs. Which formula removes duplicate rows considering both columns together?
      hard
      A. UNIQUE(A1:B8)
      B. UNIQUE(A1:A8)
      C. UNIQUE(B1:B8)
      D. UNIQUE(A1:B8, TRUE)

      Solution

      1. Step 1: Understand removing duplicates by multiple columns

        To remove duplicates based on both Name and City, you must include both columns in the UNIQUE() range.

      2. Step 2: Check options for correct range

        UNIQUE(A1:B8) uses UNIQUE(A1:B8), which considers both columns together and removes duplicate rows correctly.

      3. Final Answer:

        UNIQUE(A1:B8) -> Option A

      4. Quick Check:

        UNIQUE(multi-column range) removes duplicate rows [OK]
      Hint: Include all columns in UNIQUE() to remove full-row duplicates [OK]
      Common Mistakes:
      • Using only one column range to remove multi-column duplicates
      • Adding extra arguments to UNIQUE()
      • Expecting UNIQUE() to sort automatically
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