Question

Is it possible to use a function in Excel 2003 to delete an entire row if it’s the same as the previous one? For example:

1. apple
2. apple
3. plum
4. vinegar
5. apple
6. banana
7. banana
8. banana
9. apple

I want to delete #2, 7# and #8, but I don’t want #5 and #9 to be deleted. I want to delete a duplicated entry ONLY IF it’s the next one. I hope I managed to keep it clear to you.
If there isn’t a function, how can I do that in VBA? Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

Here’s something that might fit, deleting all duplicate rows (physically, not only cell data!), so keep in mind that it can be used only if you use one-column sheets. Otherwise you will loose some other data.

Sub Unduplicate()
 Dim prev As String
 Dim sel As Range
 Dim i As Integer

 Set sel = Range(Selection, Selection)
 prev = sel.Offset(0).Value     ' set prev as the first value - never will be deleted
 i = 1    ' start from 2nd row
 Do While sel.Offset(i).Value <> "" And sel.Offset(i).Value <> ""
    If sel.Offset(i).Value = prev Then    ' if duplicate - delete row
        sel.Offset(i).EntireRow.Delete
    Else      ' else set new prev, and go further
        prev = sel.Offset(i).Value
        i = i + 1
    End If
 Loop
End Sub

After running this macro for your example, I’m getting:

You can modify it, to store the values in an array, and than fill the column with remembered array instead of deleting the rows, but that should be easy now.