SharePoint Document Issues

How to Create a SharePoint View to Show Only Duplicate Values

Huma Ashraf Ch Oct 10, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to create a SharePoint view that filters out unique entries and displays only list items whose associated values appear more than once.

How to Create a SharePoint View to Show Only Duplicate Values

Product: SharePoint Server
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Managing and filtering a SharePoint list to quickly identify and review redundant or duplicate entries without manually scrolling through single items.
Observed behavior: SharePoint does not offer a native, one-click view filter to display only duplicate items, meaning unique items remain visible unless complex custom modifications are applied.

Before you start

Before attempting to modify your list views, ensure you have sufficient permissions (usually Edit or Full Control) to create views, export data, or add calculated columns to your SharePoint list.

Solution 1Recommended

Export the SharePoint List and Filter Duplicates in a Spreadsheet

Since SharePoint Server does not natively filter out unique values in a view, exporting the list to a spreadsheet application is the most efficient and reliable way to isolate duplicates without custom coding.

This method avoids the complexity of modifying SharePoint Server code and allows you to instantly visualize duplicates using standard spreadsheet features.

Export List Data

Navigate to your SharePoint list and click on 'Export to Excel' or 'Export to CSV' from the top command bar.

Open the Spreadsheet

Open the downloaded file in your preferred spreadsheet application.

Select the Target Column

Click the column header for the data where you suspect duplicate values exist.

Highlight Duplicates

Go to the Data or Home tab, select 'Conditional Formatting', and choose the option to 'Highlight Duplicate Values'.

Filter by Color

Apply a filter to the column and select 'Filter by Color' to display only the highlighted duplicate items, effectively hiding all unique entries.

Export the SharePoint List and Filter Duplicates in a Spreadsheet

Quick Analysis: Exporting data is the fastest way to perform a one-time cleanup of duplicate list items without permanently altering the SharePoint list structure.

Solution 2

Request a Custom View via Microsoft Q&A

For SharePoint Server 2016 users requiring a permanent, in-browser view of duplicates, you will need to seek custom code or calculated column solutions from Microsoft experts.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Easily Manage and Analyze Exported List Data with WPS Office

While Microsoft SharePoint requires complex workarounds for simple tasks like isolating duplicate values, WPS Office provides an intuitive and free alternative for your data analysis needs. Export your SharePoint lists and instantly filter duplicates using WPS Spreadsheet.

1. Install WPS Office: Download and install the free WPS Office suite on your device.
2. Open Your SharePoint Export: Launch WPS Spreadsheet and open the CSV or Excel file exported from your SharePoint list.
3. Find Duplicates Instantly: Select your column, navigate to the Data tab, and click 'Highlight Duplicates' to see redundant entries immediately.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Excel formats (.xlsx, .csv) exported directly from SharePoint.Built-in 'Highlight Duplicates' feature provides instant data analysis without complex formulas.Familiar, tabbed user interface ensures a seamless migration from Microsoft Office.Lightweight installation and incredibly fast performance on Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the 'Group By' feature in SharePoint to see duplicates?

Yes, you can modify your SharePoint view to 'Group By' the target column. While this successfully groups duplicate items together under expandable headings, it will unfortunately still display headings for single, unique items as well.

Is there a built-in filter to hide unique values in SharePoint Online?

Neither SharePoint Server nor SharePoint Online features a default 'Show Duplicates Only' filter. Both platforms typically require exporting the data, utilizing Power Automate, or employing complex calculated columns to achieve this result.

How do I export my SharePoint list to find duplicates externally?

Navigate to your SharePoint list, click on the 'Export' option in the top command bar, and choose 'Export to Excel' or 'Export to CSV'. You can then open the downloaded file in a spreadsheet tool to easily highlight and filter out duplicate rows.

Document & File Issues