Columns and importance
After you add files, FuzzyMatch pairs columns with similar names and suggests pairs based on the data in them. You stay in control: every column in the first file has a Compare with menu and an Importance setting.
Pairing columns
Pair columns that hold the same kind of value:
| First file | Second file | Pair? |
|---|---|---|
| Full Name | Contact Name | Yes |
| Email Address | Yes | |
| Company | Organization | Yes |
| Customer ID | Account No | No. IDs from different systems never match and only lower the score. |
Choose Don't compare for any column that would add noise. You need at least one pair to run a match.
Importance
Importance sets how much each pair counts toward the overall score.
- High: columns that identify a record on their own, like email or full name.
- Medium: the default. Useful but not decisive, like company name.
- Low: columns that often differ for the same record, like city, or phone numbers stored in different formats.
A useful starting point for contact lists: name and email on High, company on Medium, city and state on Low.
Next
Strictness and scores explains how these settings turn into a score.