Does Not Equal Sign in Excel

When using Microsoft Excel, it is common to encounter the “does not equal” sign, which is represented by “<>“. The “<>” sign is used to compare two cells and check if their values are not equal. This simple yet powerful function can be used in various situations, such as conditional formatting, filtering data, and building logical formulas. Understanding how to use the “does not equal” sign in Excel can save you time and streamline your workflow. In this blog post, we will explore the different ways you can use “<>” in Excel and provide examples to help you get started.

What is the Does Not Equal sign and why do you need it?

In Microsoft Excel, the “<>” symbol is used to denote the “does not equal” comparison operator, which checks if two cells are not equal. This simple function can save you time when working with large amounts of data and formulas. For instance, if you wanted to highlight all of the cells in a range that are not equal to a certain value, you can easily do so using conditional formatting and the “<>” operator. This function can also be used in logical formulas or to filter data to hide or select cells that match or do not match certain criteria.

How to use the Does Not Equal Sign in Excel

Example 1: Using the Does Not Equal Sign with Conditional Formatting

To highlight all of the cells in a range that are not equal to a certain value:

1. Select the range of cells you want to apply the conditional formatting to.
2. Go to the ‘Home’ tab and click on the ‘Conditional Formatting’ drop-down menu.
3. Select ‘Highlight Cell Rules’ and then ‘Equal To…’
4. In the box that appears, enter the value you don’t want to highlight and select the formatting you wish to apply. Click ‘OK’.
5. Repeat the previous step but select ‘Does Not Equal…’ and enter the same value as before. Choose a different formatting option, and click ‘OK’.
6. Now, any cells in the selected range that do not match the value you entered will be highlighted in the chosen format.

Example 2: Using the Does Not Equal Sign in a Logical Formula

To use the “<>” symbol in a basic formula:

1. Select the cell in which you wish to enter the basic formula.
2. Type the below formula =IF(A1<>B1,”True”,”False”)
3. Where A1 and B1 are the cells you want to compare. If the cells have different values it will return “True” and if the cells have the same values it will return “False”.

Tips and Tricks for Using the Does Not Equal Sign in Excel

Here are some additional tips to help you work more efficiently with the “<>” symbol in Excel:

• If you’re comparing text, make sure to put the values you’re comparing in double quotes. For example, “<> “apple” “.
• If you have empty cells in your range, or your range includes cells that contain formulas that return blank cells, use the “<>“” operator to exclude them from the results. For example, “<>“” will exclude any blank cells from the results.
• You can use the “<>” operator in conjunction with other operators, such as “<", ">“, “<=", ">=”. For example, “<>10″ to select cells that don’t have the value of 10, “<>A1″ to select cells that don’t match the value of cell A1, or “<>10% AND < 15%" to select cells that don't have a value between 10% and 15%.

Common Mistakes When Using the Does Not Equal Sign in Excel

Although using the “<>” operator in Excel is relatively easy, there are still some common mistakes that users make when using it. Here are two common mistakes to avoid:

• Misspelling the operator. Remember that the operator is “<>” and not “><" or "=NOT".
• Not using the correct syntax. Make sure to place each value you’re comparing in its own set of quotation marks and to separate multiple comparisons with the “AND” or “OR” operators, depending on how you want to combine the criteria.

The “<>” symbol in Excel is a powerful tool that can help you work more efficiently with large amounts of data and complex formulas. Whether you want to highlight cells that don’t match a given criterion or exclude certain values from your results, the “<>” operator can help you get the job done quickly and easily. As with any tool in Excel, practice makes perfect, so be sure to experiment with different ways of using the “<>” symbol to see what works best for your needs.

FAQs about the Does Not Equal Sign in Excel

Here are some common questions people ask about using the “<>” symbol in Excel:

1. What does “<>” mean in Excel?

The “<>” symbol in Excel means “does not equal.” It is used to compare two cells and check if their values are not equal.

2. How do I use the “<>” operator in Excel?

To use the “<>” operator, simply place it between the two values you want to compare. For example, “= A1 <> B1″ will check if the values in cells A1 and B1 are not equal.

3. Can I use the “<>” operator with text values in Excel?

Yes, you can use the “<>” operator to compare text values in Excel. Just make sure to put the values you’re comparing in double quotes.

4. Can I use the “<>” operator in combination with other operators in Excel?

Yes, you can use the “<>” operator in conjunction with other operators, such as “<", ">“, “<=", ">=”. For example, “<>10″ to select cells that don’t have the value of 10, “<>A1″ to select cells that don’t match the value of cell A1, or “<>10% AND < 15%" to select cells that don't have a value between 10% and 15%.

5. What are some common mistakes to avoid when using the “<>” operator in Excel?

Two common mistakes to avoid when using the “<>” operator are misspelling it and not using the correct syntax. Remember that the operator is “<>” and not “><" or "=NOT", and ensure that you place each value you're comparing in its own set of quotation marks.