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
    2010-06-11T20:01:56+00:00

    Your posting was titled "Finding the character where two strings do not match"... the only thing that made sense for that when the two strings were identical was to report one greater than the length of the strings (at the last character, that is, the length of the text, they still match). I figured whatever formula or cell you used my formula in would have to test for this condition. As for the #REF error when both cells are empty... I'm sorry, I forgot to check that condition... but you are right, just encase my formula in an IF function testing for both cells equalling the empty string. Since it seems my posting fulfills your need, might I suggest that you mark it as the "answer" to your question.

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  2. Anonymous
    2010-06-11T20:00:30+00:00

    Hello,

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

    " "&C2&REPT("#",1+LEN(B2)))),ROW(INDIRECT("1:"&2+LEN(B2))))

    "|" and "#" should be two different characters which do not appear in your input.

    Regards,

    Bernd

    www.sulprobil.com

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  3. Anonymous
    2010-06-11T19:29:40+00:00

    Wow... 1 2-hr meeting after my post and I have a whole slew of stuff. :)  Thanks!

    Rick, your last formula works well for what I'm looking for.  It does, however, report the character position that follows my string if there's a match:

    B2     C2

    blah  blah  Your formula=5

    I think I can get around that given I know that > len(b2)

    Also, if both B2 and C2 are empty, I get a #REF error.  I can probably get around that by encapsulating the function in an IF.

    Again, Thanks!

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