How to Remove Duplicates from CSV File – Step-by-Step Guide
Summary : Do you need a method to remove duplicates from CSV file? If yes, read this article till the end. We have done extensive research on various platforms to understand the specific queries and requirements of individuals. Thus, it ensures that users can easily find the most appropriate solution for the same. Furthermore, comparing both methods: a manual or a professional CSV Duplicate Remover, will ease you in choosing the one you need.
Most people realized the necessity to remove duplicate data from a CSV . So, they look for methods to remove duplicates. Otherwise, it will affect analysis results, waste valuable resources, and mislead the interpretations. In case of multiple or bulky files, it will occupy a huge space in your system. As a result, it will affect the performance of your device too. Hence, you can find various such reasons online leading users to remove duplicates from CSV file.
Before we discuss the solution to remove the duplicates from the CSV files, let’s understand the CSV file format.
What is the CSV File Format?
The CSV (stands for comma-separated values file) is a plain text format that doesn’t save formulas, columns, rows, and cells. Therefore, it is suggested for contacts, phone numbers, and many more. Well, it resembles the spreadsheet (MS Excel) because it saves its data in tabular format. These data are saved in a file with a .csv extension. Furthermore, this Format works well on most of the spreadsheets including MS Excel and Google spreadsheet.
Now, let’s discuss the manual technique to remove duplicates from CSV file.
Manually Remove Duplicate Data from a CSV
However, you can remove duplicates through a manual method without costing you a sum. Still, it is difficult to find duplicate values in a column and remove them without any issues. For instance, you will get stuck, lose data, or the possibility of other mishaps. Still, if you want to use this method, you should be familiar with the drawbacks of this procedure. Thus, a few drawbacks are-
- Time-Consuming– It will consume lots of time especially when you want to remove a large number of files or bulky files.
- Data Security- The Manual method has no guarantee to protect your data during the process. As a result, you might lose your data.
- Outcome- There is a possibility that you might not get the expected output. In other words, you can lose a piece or all of your data.
Nevertheless, it’s also an effective process and shows results.
Steps to Remove Duplicates from CSV File
Here are the steps to find duplicates in CSV file and remove them manually.
- Open your CSV file in MS Excel.
- Select the duplicate files, and the column to remove duplicates from.
- Click Data from the menu bar, and choose Remove Duplicates.
- Now, select Expand Selection\Original Selection.
- Select the Original Selection to remove duplicate data from the selected column.
- Otherwise, select Expand Selection to remove duplicate data from all the columns including the selected column.
- After this, press OK, and remove the duplicates from the columns.
This procedure will find duplicates in CSV file and remove them but one file at a time. So, if you want to remove the duplicates from multiple files, it will be time-consuming.
Therefore, we found a better alternative method to deal with the manual method’s drawback. This new method will remove the CSV data simply and easily.
Professionally Remove Duplicates from CSV File
The MacSonik CSV Duplicate Finder will deal with all the limitations of the manual method. This tool is the most recommended to remove duplicate data from a CSV. Additionally, you can use this tool on all MacOS versions.
Furthermore, this tool will be helpful to remove duplicate data from single or multiple files simultaneously. It facilitates a flexible and efficient method of removing the files and can delete duplicate data from bulky files as well. However, if you are worried about your data, you don’t have to. Additionally, you can remove duplicates from the CSV files as well as VCF(or vCard) files.
Now, we will discuss the professional method step-by-step to remove duplicate columns in CSV file.
Steps to Remove Duplicates from CSV file
- Download and run CSV Duplicate Remover.
- Among the two options, select Remove Duplicate Records from CSV files.
- Now, click on the Add File\Add Folder tab.
- Select the CSV file to remove duplicates from and click on Open.
- After this, tick the items from the selected CSV file text.
- Choose the Log Path and Temp Path. And your Output path also.
- Finally, click Next, and the process will begin to remove the duplicate files from the CSV files.
With these steps, you can easily remove all the duplicate files. In the case of the manual method, you have to find duplicate values in a column and then remove them. However, this tool will automatically remove all the duplicates data from the files.
Conclusion
Hopefully, this blog will help you to remove duplicates from CSV file easily and securely. By the comparison of both methods, you can choose the appropriate solution wisely. If you are still not sure about the professional method, use its demo version for more clarification.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ans. You can use the manual method to remove the duplicates from a column in CSV. Follow these steps to do this process manually.
1. Open your CSV file in Microsoft Excel.
2. Select the column to remove the duplicate data.
3. Click on Data from the menu bar and then Remove Duplicates.
4. Choose Expand Selection\Original Selection.
5. Lastly, press OK to remove the duplicates from the column.
Ans. If you want to find duplicates from a CSV file online, you can use the CSV Duplicate Remover. This software will automatically find as well as remove the duplicate file.
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