# How to Match Two Columns Microsoft Excel

> To match two columns in Microsoft Excel, select the column to compare, go to Home, Conditional Formatting, and New Rule, and choose to use a formula. Enter the formula, set the format such as a blue fill color, and click OK to highlight matching cells.

Canonical: https://livedemo.ai/tutorials/how-to-match-two-columns-microsoft-excel/
Apps: Microsoft, Excel
Updated: 2026-10-05
Interactive demo: https://story-api.livedemo.ai/workspaces/62255d3d3304f17b8f5e2d03/stories/692a499eab56e05a00ff4860/preview?step=1

## Steps

1. Select the column you want to compare.
2. Go to "Home" > "Conditional Formatting" > "New Rule."
3. Choose "Use a formula to determine which cells to format."
4. Enter the formula =COUNTIF($A:$A, C2)>0 , adjusting for your columns.
5. Set the format (e.g., change the fill color to blue), then click "OK".
6. Matching cells will be highlighted in blue.