Duplicate CSV rows: start with exact matches, then review
Published by Rowstead, the creator of the tool and kit described here.
A shared name is not enough
Two people can have the same name. One person can have several addresses. Removing a row because its name looks familiar can discard useful information. Start with complete-row matches and keep a review copy.
Spaces can hide a match
A leading or trailing space can make two otherwise matching cells different. If trimming is appropriate for your data, review that change before checking for duplicate rows again. Some values contain meaningful spaces, so choose cleanup deliberately.
Keep a decision trail
Record why you kept or removed a record. For uncertain rows, mark them for review rather than guessing. The Rowstead kit includes a duplicate-decisions template and import change log to help make the review repeatable.
Check what your tool actually does
Rowstead removes exact duplicate rows when you select that option. It does not infer identity, merge people, or validate that email addresses belong to the same person. Its email checks review syntax, not deliverability or marketing permission.
Review before exporting
Compare original and cleaned previews. Save the source, export a reviewed copy, then test a small import in the destination. Try the free Rowstead tool first, or get the $12 Small Business Import Kit for reusable templates and workflow guidance.