In Excel, if you want to compare two values and check whether they’re not equal, you’ll need the <> operator — Excel’s version of the “does not equal” (≠) symbol. 🎯 It’s one of the most important logical tools when building formulas, data validations, or conditional formatting. In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to use “does not equal” in Excel with formulas, real examples, and must-know keyboard shortcuts for Windows, macOS, and Ubuntu/Linux 💻.
✅ What Is the “Does Not Equal” Operator in Excel?
In Excel, <> is used to test inequality between two values. If the values are not equal, Excel returns TRUE; otherwise, it returns FALSE.
🧠 Think of <> as the Excel version of “≠”.
Example:
=A1<>B1
✅ Returns TRUE if the contents of A1 and B1 are different.
📌 Why Use “Does Not Equal” in Excel?
You’ll use <> when:
- Checking for data mismatches
- Creating error alerts
- Setting up conditional logic
- Controlling formulas and IF statements
This logic is essential in tasks like audits, cleanups, grading systems, and analytics.
🧩 How to Use “Does Not Equal” in Excel Formulas
Basic Example:
=5<>3
✅ Returns: TRUE
="apple"<> "orange"
✅ Returns: TRUE
=A1<>B1
✅ Returns TRUE if cell A1 is not equal to cell B1.
🧠 Combine with IF Function
The <> operator works great inside IF statements:
=IF(A1<>B1, "Mismatch", "Match")
✅ If A1 and B1 are not equal, it shows “Mismatch”; otherwise, “Match”.
🎯 Use Case: Compare Two Columns for Differences
=IF(A2<>B2, "❌", "✅")
✅ Great for side-by-side data validation or spotting changes between versions.
🧮 Use in Conditional Formatting
- Select the range (e.g.,
A2:A100) - Go to Home > Conditional Formatting > New Rule
- Choose Use a formula to determine which cells to format
- Enter:
=A2<>B2
- Set a formatting style (like red fill)
🎨 Excel will highlight cells where A2 and B2 aren’t equal.
⌨️ Excel Shortcuts to Speed Up Logic Formulas
| Action | Windows | macOS | Ubuntu/Linux (LibreOffice) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Start formula | = | = | = |
| Enter next argument | , | , | ; (region-specific) |
| Copy formula down | Ctrl + D | Cmd + D | Ctrl + D |
| Open formula bar | F2 | Ctrl + U | F2 |
| Accept entry & move down | Enter | Return | Enter |
📌 Use <> manually while typing — there’s no special symbol shortcut for ≠, just use < and > side by side.
🐧 Excel “Does Not Equal” in LibreOffice (Ubuntu/Linux)
Same syntax applies:
=A1<>B1
✅ LibreOffice Calc supports the <> operator the same way as Excel.
🧯 Common Issues & Solutions
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
FALSE when values look different | Check for trailing spaces or case sensitivity |
| Doesn’t work in formula | Ensure you’re not using ≠ (the symbol); use <> |
| Comparing numbers and text | Convert both to the same format using VALUE() or TEXT() |
| Mismatch not detected | Use TRIM() to remove extra spaces |
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What symbol means “not equal” in Excel?
Use <> — it functions like “≠” in Excel formulas.
Can I use ≠ directly in Excel?
No. Excel doesn’t recognize the ≠ symbol. You must use <>.
Does “not equal” work with text and numbers?
Yes, as long as the data types are compatible.
Can I highlight cells that are not equal?
Yes! Use conditional formatting with the formula =A1<>B1.
Is <> case-sensitive in Excel?
No — unless used with functions like EXACT() which are case-sensitive.
✅ Conclusion: Master “Does Not Equal” in Excel for Smarter Logic
The <> operator in Excel is the go-to way to check if two values are not equal. Whether comparing text, numbers, or dates, it adds vital logic to your formulas and data validation. With full support across Windows, macOS, and Linux, it’s an essential tool in every spreadsheet user’s toolkit ✅. Use it inside IF() statements, highlight differences, and clean your data like a pro.
Complete List of Windows Keyboard Shortcuts
If you need help for Windows, you can find a whole list of all keyboard shortcuts here.
https://keyboard-shortcuts.org/
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