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To delete duplicate rows based on one column in Excel, use the built-in Remove Duplicates feature and select only the column that defines uniqueness.

Method 1: Remove Duplicates Using the Built-In Tool

1. Select any cell within the dataset.

2. Select the Data tab on the Ribbon.

3. Select Remove Duplicates.

4. Clear all column checkboxes.

5. Select only the column that should determine duplicates.

6. Select OK.

7. Confirm the dialog showing how many duplicate rows were removed.

Excel keeps the first occurrence of each value in the selected column and deletes all subsequent rows that share the same value.

Does Excel delete entire rows or just the duplicate column values?

Yes, Excel deletes entire rows, not just the duplicate values.

The row deletion applies across all columns when duplicates are identified based on the selected column. This behavior preserves data integrity by keeping related row information aligned.

How does Excel decide which duplicate row to keep?

Excel keeps the first row encountered based on the current row order.

Row order depends on the dataset’s existing sort state. Sorting the data before removing duplicates controls which record remains.

How to control which duplicate row is kept?

1. Select the entire dataset.

2. Select the Data tab.

3. Select Sort.

4. Sort the dataset using a secondary column such as date, amount, or status.

5. Apply Remove Duplicates using the target column.

This approach ensures the retained row matches the defined priority.

Can duplicate rows be deleted without losing the original data?

Yes, duplicates can be deleted safely by working on a copy of the dataset.

1. Right-click the worksheet tab.

2. Select Move or Copy.

3. Select Create a copy.

4. Perform duplicate removal on the copied sheet.

This method preserves the original data for validation or rollback.

How to delete duplicates based on one column using Advanced Filter?

When to use this method

The Advanced Filter suits workflows that require extracting unique records rather than modifying the original dataset.

Steps

1. Select the dataset, including headers.

2. Select the Data tab.

3. Select Advanced in the Sort & Filter group.

4. Select Copy to another location.

5. Check Unique records only.

6. Specify the destination range.

7. Select OK.

The output contains unique rows based on all visible columns. Hiding unnecessary columns before applying the filter restricts uniqueness to one column.

Is the process different on Windows and Mac?

No, the Remove Duplicates feature works the same way on both platforms.

The Ribbon location, dialog layout, and behavior remain consistent. Keyboard shortcuts differ slightly due to operating system conventions.

Common mistakes that cause incorrect duplicate removal

1. Selecting only one column instead of the entire dataset.

2. Forgetting to clear other column checkboxes in the Remove Duplicates dialog.

3. Removing duplicates before sorting by priority.

4. Applying the tool to data without headers correctly defined.

Correct selection and ordering prevent unintended data loss.

Best practices for deleting duplicates based on one column

1. Back up the dataset before deletion.

2. Sort data to define retention priority.

3. Verify column headers before confirming deletion.

4. Review the removal summary dialog carefully.

5. Use filters to visually confirm results after deletion.

Following these practices ensures accurate and repeatable results.

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