Need to compare text strings with case sensitivity in Excel? The Excel EXACT function ✅ helps you check if two strings are exactly the same, including uppercase vs lowercase letters. This makes it perfect for data validation, password checks, and case-sensitive comparisons across systems — and it works seamlessly on Windows, macOS, and Ubuntu. 🧠💻
In this article, you’ll learn how to use EXACT, when to use it, real-world examples, and handy keyboard shortcuts to improve productivity.
📘 What Does the EXACT Function Do in Excel?
Syntax:
=EXACT(text1, text2)
text1: The first string to comparetext2: The second string to compare
The function returns:
TRUEif both texts are identical and case-sensitiveFALSEif they differ in spelling, spacing, or case
🔍 EXACT Function Examples
| Formula | Result |
|---|---|
=EXACT("Apple","Apple") | TRUE |
=EXACT("Apple","apple") | FALSE |
=EXACT("Data 123", "Data 123") | TRUE |
=EXACT("Hello","Hello ") | FALSE |
🎯 Even an extra space or a letter case change results in FALSE.
🧠 When to Use EXACT in Excel
| Use Case | Why Use EXACT? |
|---|---|
| Validate password or login fields | Ensures correct case-sensitive match |
| Clean imported or inconsistent data | Finds variations that =A1=B1 might miss |
| Highlight mismatches in large datasets | Pairs well with IF or conditional formatting |
| Match sensitive text in formulas | Keeps checks strict and precise |
💡 Unlike the = operator, EXACT() doesn’t treat "Test" and "test" as equal.
⌨️ Keyboard Shortcuts to Use EXACT Efficiently
| Action | Windows/Linux | macOS |
|---|---|---|
| Start formula input | = | = |
| Autocomplete EXACT | Type EXACT + Tab | Type EXACT + Tab |
| Confirm formula | Enter | Return |
| Copy formula down | Ctrl + D | Cmd + D |
| Insert function dialog | Shift + F3 | Fn + Shift + F3 |
📌 Use EXACT with IF, MATCH, or FILTER for advanced logical operations.
🧪 Combine EXACT with IF for Conditional Logic
Example:
=IF(EXACT(A2, B2), "Match", "Mismatch")
🔁 This formula checks if cells A2 and B2 contain identical text, and outputs a custom message.
✅ Ideal for error-checking, automated feedback, or auditing.
❗ Common Errors and Fixes
| Issue | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
#VALUE! | One or both inputs are invalid | Ensure both arguments are text or cell refs |
| Unexpected FALSE | Case or extra spaces | Use TRIM() or UPPER()/LOWER() if exact match isn’t needed |
| FALSE with numbers | Excel may auto-format numbers differently | Use TEXT() to format consistently |
🛠️ For flexible comparisons, use LOWER(A1)=LOWER(B1) instead.
📱 Is EXACT Available on Mobile and Web Excel?
Yes! The EXACT function works on:
- ✅ Excel for Windows
- ✅ Excel for macOS
- ✅ Excel Online (Web)
- ✅ Excel Mobile (iOS & Android)
📲 On mobile, you’ll need to type the function manually — auto-fill may be limited.
💬 FAQs About Excel EXACT Function
What does the EXACT function do in Excel?
It compares two strings and returns TRUE if they are exactly the same, including letter case.
Is EXACT case-sensitive?
Yes — unlike the = operator, EXACT distinguishes uppercase and lowercase letters.
Can I use EXACT with numbers?
Yes, but ensure they are formatted consistently (e.g., same decimal places).
How do I highlight mismatches using EXACT?
Use it with conditional formatting: =NOT(EXACT(A1, B1)) and apply a color format.
What if I don’t care about case differences?
Use LOWER(A1)=LOWER(B1) or UPPER() for case-insensitive comparisons.
Is EXACT better than =A1=B1?
Yes, when you need case-sensitive precision.
🟢 Final Thoughts: Excel EXACT Function
The Excel EXACT function ✅ is a precision tool that ensures accurate, case-sensitive comparisons between two text values. It’s essential when managing data integrity, validating sensitive inputs, or detecting subtle errors that standard comparison methods miss. With its simple syntax and cross-platform support, EXACT helps you build more reliable, error-proof spreadsheets.
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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