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ListDiff

Compare two Sheets columns without FILTER formulas

Last updated: 2026-08-26

Google Sheets users often search for a formula-free way to compare Column A and Column B—who is missing, who matches, what is new. You can copy each column into the compare two columns tool and read the tabs in your browser. No MATCH, FILTER, or QUERY required for a simple key list.

Fast method

  1. In Sheets, click the column letter (or select the used range) and copy.
  2. Paste into List A on listdiff.org or the columns page.
  3. Copy the second column into List B the same way.
  4. Leave trim on. Decide if letter case should matter for your IDs.
  5. Compare → open Intersection (both), A only, and B only.

Paste two Sheets columns here

Loading compare tool…

Sheets-specific gotchas

  • Paste one column at a time. Multi-column selections become tab-separated lines.
  • Hidden filter views can make a copy look shorter than the full column—clear filters first if counts look wrong.
  • Imported CSVs sometimes add a header; delete Email / ID from the paste if it is not data.
  • Numbers stored as text vs numbers can look identical in the sheet but differ after paste—check Dupes and trim.

Bring results back

Copy a result tab or download CSV, then paste into a new Sheet tab for sharing.

FAQ

How do I compare two columns in Google Sheets without formulas?

Copy each column into ListDiff and use A only / Intersection / B only—no FILTER or MATCH needed for one-value-per-row lists.

Is paste the same as Excel?

Yes for single columns. For Excel-focused wording see Compare 2 lists in Excel.

Related

Open the columns tool