Compare Aligned Google Sheets Columns Row by Row

A simple equality formula can compare two values on the same row in Google Sheets. For instance, A2=C2 returns TRUE when the cells match and FALSE when they differ. Wrapping that comparison in IF allows descriptive labels such as Match or Different, which can make an audit column easier to scan.

This method assumes the records already line up in the same order. It does not establish whether a value appears somewhere else in an unsorted list. Use EXACT when capitalization must affect the comparison, and consider ARRAYFORMULA when applying a suitable comparison across a range. Before interpreting a long sequence of differences, check whether sorting or missing rows have shifted otherwise matching records out of alignment.