| title | Match Similar Data | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| description | Match Similar Data (MDS Add-in for Excel) | ||
| author | meetdeepak | ||
| ms.author | dkhare | ||
| ms.reviewer | mikeray | ||
| ms.date | 03/05/2026 | ||
| ms.service | sql | ||
| ms.subservice | master-data-services | ||
| ms.topic | how-to | ||
| ms.custom |
|
[!INCLUDE SQL Server Windows Only - ASDBMI]
[!INCLUDE support-notice]
In the [!INCLUDEssMDSshort] [!INCLUDEssMDSXLS], use Data Quality Services (DQS) functionality to find similarities in your data.
To perform this procedure, you can:
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Use the default Data Quality Services knowledge base, or
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Create your own custom DQS knowledge base and matching policy. For more information, see Create a Matching Policy.
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You must have a worksheet that contains MDS-managed data. For more information, see Export Data to Excel from Master Data Services.
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Optional. You can combine other data with the MDS-managed data before checking for similarities. For more information, see Combine Data (MDS Add-in for Excel).
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From the worksheet that contains MDS-managed data, in the Data Quality group, click Match Data.
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In the Match Data dialog box, from the DQS Knowledge Base list, select DQS Data (default).
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For each column that contains data you want to match, add a row in the dialog box. For information about the fields in this dialog box, see How to Set Matching Rule Parameters.
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When the total of all weight values equals 100 percent, click OK.
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From the worksheet that contains MDS-managed data, in the Data Quality group, click Match Data.
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From the DQS Knowledge Base list, select the name of your custom knowledge base.
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For each column in the worksheet, select a DQS domain.
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When all DQS domains are mapped to columns in the worksheet, click OK.
- View additional information to determine which data is similar. For more information, see Data Quality Matching Columns (MDS Add-in for Excel).
Data Quality Matching in the MDS Add-in for Excel
Data Matching