FUZZY MATCH DATA BY TEXT SIMILARITY

Fuzzy Match by Percentage Similarity

1. Open the sidebar
   Extensions > Flookup Data Wrangler > Transformation functions > Fuzzy match data > By percentage in your spreadsheet menu.
2. Select the mode to run
   
   • Return best match only: Returns the best match for every lookup value.
   • Return best match and similarity: Returns the best match and its respective similarity.
   • Return best match and row number: Returns the best match and the row in which it is located.
   • Merge data from rows with matches: Returns the selected "Secondary range" data from rows where a match is found.
   • Match entries on a word-level: Compares text entries on a word-level, suited for long text entries.
3. Select the range containing the lookup value
   Highlight a single column of data (e.g. A1:A100) and click Grab selected range to read it into Primary range.
4. Select the range to compare with values in step 3
   Highlight a separate range of one or more columns (e.g. B1:D100) and click Grab selected range to read it into Secondary range.
5. Specify the Lookup_column index
   This is the column in Secondary range to compare with values in Primary range (index 1 = first column, index 2 = second, etc.).
6. Specify the Return_column index
   This is the column in Secondary range from which matches are to be returned.
7. Set the level of similarity
   Enter the minimum percentage similarity (default is 0.85).
8. Specify the output location
   Click any empty cell where you would like your results to be displayed.
9. Get fuzzy matches
   Click the Get fuzzy matches button to finish.

Notes on Fuzzy Matching Data

• Lookup_column takes only one column. If you select more than one, only the leftmost will be analysed.
• Leave two empty columns for results if you want both match and similarity or row number, or your data may be overwritten.
• For word-level matching, correct spelling errors first for best results (use Tools > Spelling > Spell check).

Fuzzy Match by Sound Similarity

1. Open the sidebar
   Extensions > Flookup Data Wrangler > Transformation functions > Fuzzy match data > By sound in your spreadsheet menu.
2. Select the range containing the lookup value
   Highlight a single column of data and click Grab selected range to read it into Primary range.
3. Select the range where the lookup is potentially located
   Highlight a separate range of one or more columns and click Grab selected range to read it into Secondary range.
4. Specify the lookup column
   Enter the index of the column in Secondary range to compare with values in Primary range.
5. Specify the return column
   Enter the index of the column in Secondary range from which you want values to be returned.
6. Specify output location
   Click an empty cell within the spreadsheet to mark the position where the results should be displayed.
7. Get fuzzy matches
   Click the Get fuzzy matches button to finish.

For the Visual Learners

Explore Further

• Standardize Data by Text Similarity
• Fuzzy Matching Algorithms Explained