Finding the character where two strings do not match

Anonymous
2010-06-11T16:18:02+00:00

I have 2 cells B2 and C2 with strings.

I can tell whether they match or not easily enough.  But I am not sure how to identify the character where the two strings diverge.  Can it be done with a formula (ideas?) or do I need to create a new one (eh?)?

Thanks all. :)

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Anonymous
2010-06-12T14:02:24+00:00

Nice formula Bernd; however, I would suggest this modification to it so that it can be copied down into blank rows (in anticipation of future entries)...

=IF(AND(B2="",C2=""),"",LOOKUP(2,1/(1=FIND(LEFT(" "&B2,ROW(INDIRECT("1:"&1+LEN(B2))))," "&C2)),ROW(INDIRECT("1:"&1+LEN(B2)))))

I would note for the OP that this formula is entered normally (that is, it is NOT an array-entered formula). And I would also note that the formula is is case-sensitive; the case-insensitive version of it would be this...

=IF(AND(B14="",C14=""),"",LOOKUP(2,1/(1=FIND(LEFT(" "&UPPER(B14),ROW(INDIRECT("1:"&1+LEN(B14))))," "&UPPER(C14))),ROW(INDIRECT("1:"&1+LEN(B14)))))

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Anonymous
2010-06-12T09:25:06+00:00

I have 2 cells B2 and C2 with strings.

I can tell whether they match or not easily enough.  But I am not sure how to identify the character where the two strings diverge.  Can it be done with a formula (ideas?) or do I need to create a new one (eh?)?

Thanks all. :)

Hello,

I suggest to use

=LOOKUP(2,1/(1=FIND(LEFT(" "&B2,ROW(INDIRECT("1:"&1+LEN(B2))))," "&C2)),ROW(INDIRECT("1:"&1+LEN(B2))))

Regards,

Bernd

PS: [Edited on 12-June 11:57 GMT] If VBA is an option you can also use

Function NonMatchPos(s1 As String, s2 As String) As Long

Dim i As Long

i = 1

Do While i <= Len(s1) And i <= Len(s2)

    If Mid(s1, i, 1) <> Mid(s2, i, 1) Then Exit Do

    i = i + 1

Loop

NonMatchPos = i

End Function

www.sulprobil.com

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  1. Anonymous
    2010-06-11T18:30:52+00:00

    It appears that your formula will fail if the two text strings are identical.

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  2. Anonymous
    2010-06-11T18:14:42+00:00

    How about the following array:

    =MATCH(FALSE,(MID(A1,ROW(1:9),1)=MID(B1,ROW(1:9),1)),0)

    Increase 1:9 to as large a value as you want to handle the longest text in the cells

    If this answer solves your problem, please check Mark as Answered. If this answer helps, please click the Vote as Helpful button. Cheers, Shane Devenshire

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  3. Anonymous
    2010-06-11T18:06:33+00:00

    Give this array-entered** formula a try...

    =MAX(IF(MID(B2,ROW(A1:A15),1)<>MID(C2,ROW(A1:A15),1),0,ROW(A1:A15)))+1

    Note: If the two pieces of text are identical, then the formula returns a value one greater than the length of the text. Also, as written, this formula is case-sensitive. If you need case-insensitivity, then try this array-entered** formula instead...

    =MAX(IF(UPPER(MID(B2,ROW(A1:A15),1))<>UPPER(MID(C2,ROW(A1:A15),1)),0,ROW(A1:A15)))+1

    ** Commit either of these formulas by pressing Ctrl+Shift+Enter (NOT just enter by itself)

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