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How to Fix Power Query Fuzzy Matching Missing in Excel for Mac
Question details
The user needs to merge records with similar but differently spelled values, but the fuzzy-matching option in Power Query Merge is missing.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel
- Device & OS
- Mac
- Scenario
- Attempting to merge two tables in Excel using Power Query where the text values are similar but not exact matches.
- Observed behavior
- The fuzzy-matching option shown in Microsoft's documentation does not appear in the Power Query Merge dialog box.
Ensure your Mac is connected to the internet so you can check for Microsoft 365 updates, and save a backup of your current workbook before performing data merges or installing new add-ins.
Update Excel for Mac to the Latest Version
Microsoft frequently rolls out features to Mac users later than Windows. Updating your Microsoft 365 application may resolve the missing feature.
Feature availability for Power Query can vary significantly by platform and release channel. The built-in Power Query fuzzy merge feature might not be fully rolled out to your specific version of Excel for Mac.
Launch Microsoft Excel on your Mac. Navigate to the top menu bar, click on 'Help', and select 'Check for Updates'.
If the Microsoft AutoUpdate tool finds a newer version of Excel or Microsoft 365, click 'Update' to install it.
Once the update is complete, restart Excel. Go back to 'Data' > 'Get Data (Power Query)' and attempt the merge again to see if the fuzzy-matching option has appeared.
Use an AppSource Fuzzy Lookup Add-in
If the native Power Query feature is completely unavailable on your Mac version, use an add-in from Microsoft AppSource to perform fuzzy matches.
Clean and Standardize Text Manually
If you cannot use fuzzy matching add-ins, standardize your text data using formulas to allow for a regular exact merge.
Frustrated by Missing Excel Features on Mac?
If platform differences and missing features in Microsoft Office for Mac are slowing you down, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a highly compatible, fast, and feature-rich spreadsheet environment that works seamlessly across different operating systems.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free installer for Mac.
- 2. Install the Application: Open the downloaded package and follow the on-screen instructions to install WPS Office on your Mac.
- 3. Open Your Spreadsheets: Launch WPS Spreadsheets and open your existing .xlsx files instantly with full formatting preserved.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do Excel for Mac and Excel for Windows have different Power Query features?
Microsoft often develops and rolls out complex data features like Power Query to the Windows version of Excel first. While Mac support for Power Query has improved significantly, some advanced features like native fuzzy matching may still be delayed or missing.
Can I use wildcard characters instead of fuzzy matching?
Yes, for basic lookups without Power Query, you can use functions like VLOOKUP, XLOOKUP, or MATCH combined with wildcard characters (such as the asterisk *) to find partial text matches.
How exactly does fuzzy matching work when it is available?
Fuzzy matching uses a similarity threshold algorithm (usually based on Jaccard index or Levenshtein distance) to pair text strings that are highly similar but not perfectly identical, helping you merge data with typos or slight spelling variations.
Is the Fuzzy Lookup add-in free in Microsoft AppSource?
There are multiple add-ins available in AppSource. Microsoft's own Fuzzy Lookup add-in has historically been free, but third-party matching tools found in the store may require a subscription or one-time purchase.
