How to Remove Duplicates in Apple Numbers

How to Remove Duplicates in Apple Numbers

Multiple duplicates in an Apple Numbers spreadsheet would eventually cause your file to weigh more, require more loading time, and get confused from all the repetitive data. Hence, remove duplicates in Apple Numbers in no time by following a few easy steps because Numbers doesn’t exactly have one button to magically remove all duplicates.

• Step 1: Access Apple Numbers and Open the File with Duplicates

  

  First things first, open the Apple Numbers program or app from your device and head to the exact file with duplicates you want to get rid of. For beginners, it helps to practice learning how to use Apple Numbers first until navigating through the rest of the steps comes off easy. Then, take note of what the duplicates are whether they are contacts, codes, or any other data because you will eventually learn to sort, find them by function, merge them, and delete them later.

• Step 2: Sort Duplicates into One Column

  

  Once you have found the duplicates from your spreadsheet, arrange them in one column for easy viewing. To sort them in one column, click any data from the spreadsheet, head your cursor to the specific column you want the data sorted, and arrange the data by either clicking “Sort Ascending” or “Sort Descending.” This step should be easy if you already mastered how to add a column in Apple Numbers.

• Step 3: Manually Delete the Duplicates in the Column

  Now that you have sorted every duplicate in ascending or descending order, start deleting the duplicates manually by deleting each cell containing a duplicate. Just right-click a cell that has been reiterated and delete it; you can always undo/redo in Apple Numbers in case you get wrong in the process. This step is highly recommended when the duplicates are just a few or less than 10 duplicates since it won’t take too much time to finish.

• Step 4: Use a Shortcut to Remove Duplicates with the IF Function

  

  If you have too many duplicates that manually getting rid of each duplicate takes a heavy amount of time, then have no fear. There is a shortcut where you can use the IF function by adding a new blank column, tapping the cell in the empty column’s second row, selecting the Functions Editor, typing (=), writing IF(A2)=(A1), “Duplicate” in the editor, marking a check on the formula, copying the formula to the rest of the cells, and removing the duplicates now that they are hard to miss.

• Step 5: Apply Another Shortcut with the COUNTIF Function

  

  The next alternative to abolish duplicates in Numbers is the use of the COUNTIF function. Similar to the previous step but with slight changes, insert a new blank column in the spreadsheet, select the empty column’s second row, access the Functions Editor, type (=), input COUNTIF(A,A2) and remember that A is for the column while A2 is for the row, mark the formula with a check, copy it to the other cells, and remove all duplicates since they are now easy to spot.