Ways to find duplicates & partial matches in a column

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Without using script, what options do I have to detect duplicates / partial matches?

Background:

  • I have a large list of names in a column A (using the UNIQUE function).
  • In the column there are duplicate names which are misspelled.
|        A     |  B  |
| John Doe     |     |
| Joen Doe     |     |
| Jane Smith   |     |
| Jane Smithh  |     |

Attempted Solution

  • With Excel I can use Aggregate/Row/Search, but this does not work with Google Sheets.

Ideas (that might work)

  1. Formula that will detect if name in A2, contains 75% or more of the same letters found in A3:A.

Options:

  • If 75% or more, in B2 write TRUE
  • If 75% or more, Conditional formatting - highlight cell
  1. Formula to detect if the first 3 letters in A2, match the first 3 letters in A3:A

Options:

  • If first 3 letters match, in B2 write TRUE
  • If first 3 letters match, Conditional formatting - highlight cell
  • Wont be as accurate of there is a typo within the first 3 letters.

Any other ideas?

Thanks!

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