Removing duplicate rows keeps your Google Sheets data clean and accurate for counting, sorting, and analysis. You can strip out repeats in a few clicks using a built-in menu option, without any formulas.
What you'll need
- A Google account
- A spreadsheet in Google Sheets
Step by step
- Select your data rangeClick and drag to highlight the columns or rows you want to check. Include the header row so the tool can label each column.
- Open the Data menuGo to the top menu bar and click Data, then hover over Data cleanup to reveal the cleanup options.
- Choose Remove duplicatesClick Remove duplicates. A small dialog box opens showing the columns it will compare.
- Set which columns to compareCheck the box for Data has header row if your selection includes headers, then tick the columns that should be matched to count as a duplicate.
- Confirm and reviewClick Remove duplicates. Sheets reports how many duplicate rows were removed and how many unique rows remain.
Handy tips
- To find duplicates without deleting them, use conditional formatting with a custom formula like COUNTIF to highlight repeats first.
- Only tick the columns that truly define a duplicate. Comparing every column means a row must match exactly to be removed.
- Sort your data before you start so you can visually confirm the result looks right.
Heads up
- Removing duplicates permanently deletes rows from the sheet. Make a copy of the file first if the data matters, and use Undo right away if the result is wrong.
FAQ
Does Remove duplicates keep the first or last copy?
It keeps the first occurrence it finds in the selected range and removes the later matching rows.
Can I remove duplicates based on just one column?
Yes. In the dialog, tick only that one column so rows are treated as duplicates when that single value repeats.
Why did no duplicates get removed?
Extra spaces, different capitalization, or hidden characters make cells count as unique. Use Data cleanup and Trim whitespace first, then try again.