Rules are an optional part of the auto comparison method. You use rules when you want to specify how rows and columns on one worksheet match up with those on the other. You don't have to specify how rows and columns match up - any rows and columns that aren't specified are matched up by the auto algorithm.
To illustrate how rules work, suppose rows have been inserted on the first worksheet of the two being compared and row 5 has moved down to row 23. As a result, row 5 on the first worksheet should match up with row 23 on the second worksheet. You can specify this by using the rule "5>23".
The Worksheet Compare dialog box provides a text box in which you can enter one or more rules. Each rule must be on a separate line. Worksheet Compare will not run if you enter more than one rule on the same line.
Rules can take one of three general forms:
RANGE > RANGE
RANGE >
> RANGE
where RANGE is a single row or column, or several consecutive rows or columns.
In the first form, a rule indicates that rows or columns have been moved from position to another. The second form is used to specify that rows or columns on the first worksheet do not appear on the second worksheet. Similarly, the third form indicates that rows or columns on the second worksheet do not appear on the first.
Examples
|
Rules
|
Explanation
|
| A-C>B-D
|
Columns A to C on the first worksheet have been moved to columns B to D on the second worksheet
|
| A-C>
|
Columns A to C on the first worksheet do not appear on the second worksheet
|
| >A-C
|
Columns A to C on the second worksheet do not appear on the first worksheet
|
| 8-11>1-4
|
Rows 8 to 11 on the first worksheet have been moved to rows 1 to 4 on the second worksheet
|
| 5>
|
Row 5 on the first worksheet does not appear on the second worksheet
|
| >12-20
|
Rows 12 to 20 on the second worksheet does not appear on the first worksheet
|
