Compare 2 Multi Select Drop Down Columns

Samuel Mueller

I have 3 columns, all have the same multi select drop down options. I want the first column to be my selection, the second column is more of a checklist of what's complete, and the third column tells me what is left to be completed from the first column. Any idea if this can be done? Tried using collect formula.

Paul Newcome

Unfortunately not. Another option would be a series of helper checkbox columns and a nested IF statement. Check the boxes that are present in the second column then use the nested IF to output each of the options that are not selected.

Paul Newcome

Someone else recently had a similar challenge and we realized that (unfortunately) the only way to make this work would be to parse one of the first two columns out. How many entries do you expect to be the max in a single cell?

Samuel Mueller

I was hoping there was a better solution than parsing it out! There is about 10 drop down options, I'd rather not make a long formula to account for that. I hoped there was a way to use Collect that I was not thinking about.

Paul Newcome

Unfortunately not. Another option would be a series of helper checkbox columns and a nested IF statement. Check the boxes that are present in the second column then use the nested IF to output each of the options that are not selected.

Samuel Mueller

Ahh, trying to avoid helper columns 😋. I appreciate the help though. Good ideas I may be able to work with.