Newbie[ish] question on multiple Excel Spreadsheets

[evild]

I have a spreadsheet that is produced once a month with the same setup each time.
For example I have the columns Name, Address, Fines and Action Taken.

Every month there is a new spreadsheet but some data overlaps both months. So for example I have some peoples details appearing in more than one month.
I would like to set up a procedure so that the data can be merged somehow. I want new people to be added to the spreadsheet (added on to the end of the spreadsheet) but I do not want repeated entries.

Another point is the 'Action Taken' column. I shall be having columns that have txt and changes over time. I would like to keep these fields,

SO basically I want this:

Import spreadsheet2 to spreadsheet 1
If name already exists in spreadsheet1 then ignore
else add name

I am pretty certain this can be done with VB though Excel but I would like to know if there is an in built function I can use?

 

[Dreamboat]

Try Chip Pearson's duplicate stuff:

http://www.cpearson.com/excel/duplicat.htm

I would review all the possibilities before choosing one.

Anne Troy
Way cool stuff:

http://www.cafeshops.com/OfficeExperts