Let me explain the problem instead of the logic. By the way, there is
some change in the data. In the column B I have few names (it can be in
the format "first name and last name initial" or "first name initial
and last name" or "first name and last name full" or "only first name"
or "only last name"

...
I have few more names in the range I2:I582. These are unique names with
no duplicates.

...
In order to remove duplicates from the column B I want to compare every
name in column B with every name in the range I2:I582. I thought
counting characters would be the best way to eliminate the duplicates.

Please let me know your views.....


your method is right if in the I2:I582 you have all the names that you need
:-)

If not, it's quite difficult... one way could be to separate all the names
from the surnames and then choose (from the same surnames) only the surname
with the longest name.
This is not assuring a good selection anyway, it should be checked if there
are different names with the same surname for example

Bye

FM