Function Problems

How to Return Results for Duplicate Matches Using Excel Formulas

Amos Gikunda Sep 25, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs a lookup formula to input a football match result once and automatically populate that same result for all duplicate matches in a different list.

How to Return Results for Duplicate Matches Using Excel Formulas

Product: Excel / WPS Spreadsheet
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Managing a list of football matches where some matches are duplicated and need consistent result mapping.
Observed behavior: Match results currently need to be entered manually for every duplicate instance, which is time-consuming and prone to errors.

Before you start

Ensure you have created a separate, unique lookup table that contains exactly one instance of each football match alongside its official result before applying the formulas.

Solution 1Recommended

Use the XLOOKUP Function to Find Duplicate Match Results

XLOOKUP is the most robust and flexible formula for modern spreadsheet users to find and return data from a lookup table.

The XLOOKUP function simplifies the process of finding corresponding data. Unlike older functions, it defaults to an exact match, making it highly reliable for matching specific text like football teams.

Create a Lookup Table

Set up a unique list of football matches in a separate area (e.g., column A) and type their corresponding results in the adjacent column (e.g., column B).

Select the Target Cell

Click on the first empty cell in your main duplicate list where you want the matched result to appear.

Enter the XLOOKUP Formula

Type =XLOOKUP(D2, A:A, B:B, "Not Found") where D2 is the duplicate match name you are searching for, A:A is the match column in your lookup table, and B:B is the results column.

Apply to the Entire List

Press Enter to execute the formula, then drag the fill handle at the bottom-right corner of the cell down to apply this formula to all duplicate matches in your list.

Use the XLOOKUP Function to Find Duplicate Match Results

Simplified Error Handling: XLOOKUP has built-in error handling. By adding "Not Found" at the end of the formula, any match name not present in your lookup table will return that custom text instead of an ugly #N/A error.

Solution 2

Use the VLOOKUP Function for Older Versions

If you are using an older version of Excel or a spreadsheet program that does not support XLOOKUP, VLOOKUP is the standard alternative.

Professional Data Processing

Easily Manage Match Results and Lookups in WPS Spreadsheet

WPS Office provides a highly compatible spreadsheet application that supports all major lookup formulas, including VLOOKUP and XLOOKUP, allowing you to automate data entry for duplicate records effortlessly.

1. Open your Match Data in WPS Office: Launch WPS Spreadsheet and open your existing .xlsx workbook containing the football matches.
2. Insert the Lookup Formula: Navigate to the Formulas tab or type =XLOOKUP() directly into your destination cell to pull results from your unique lookup table.
3. Save and Share: Save your updated workbook in the standard Excel format or export it to PDF to easily share the final match results with others.

Fully supports XLOOKUP, VLOOKUP, and other complex data functions.Seamless compatibility with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx) file formats.Lightweight software with a familiar, easy-to-navigate user interface.Free built-in templates for sports management and data tracking.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my VLOOKUP formula returning an #N/A error for exact match names?

The #N/A error usually occurs if there are hidden spaces in your text. Check both your lookup table and the duplicate list to ensure there are no trailing or leading spaces in the football match names. Using the TRIM function inside your formula can help resolve this.

Can I lookup results based on two criteria, like Date and Match Name?

Yes. While standard VLOOKUP makes this difficult, XLOOKUP allows you to search with multiple criteria by concatenating them. For example, you can use the formula =XLOOKUP(C2&D2, A:A&B:B, F:F).

What is the primary difference between XLOOKUP and VLOOKUP?

XLOOKUP is a modern, more powerful function that defaults to an exact match, can search from right to left, and handles errors natively. VLOOKUP only searches from left to right, defaults to an approximate match if not specified, and requires a specific column index number.

Will these lookup formulas slow down my spreadsheet?

If you have tens of thousands of rows, using full column references (like A:A) with VLOOKUP might slow down calculations. It is better to use exact table ranges or convert your lookup table into an official Table to improve calculation performance.

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