Best method for fuzzy matching contacts between two tables before enrichment

Joe H. · 2026-01-22T00:05:54.880Z

I have two tables: • Table A: 7,696 contacts from a Find People search (not yet enriched with email) • Table B: 18,000 contacts exported from Instantly (suppression list—many rows only have full name, company name is spotty) I want to flag/remove contacts in Table A that already exist in Table B before I run email enrichment, to avoid wasting credits. What's the best way to do a fuzzy match on name (and company where available) between these two tables? Is "Find Matches in Table" the right enrichment for this, or is there a better approach?

Best method for fuzzy matching contacts between two tables before enrichment | Clay

14 comments

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Clay Support
APP
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Yes, "Lookup Rows" is the right approach for this! Use "Lookup Single Row in Other Table" in Table A to check against Table B. [1]
Since company names are spotty in Table B, I'd recommend matching on full name first. Set up the lookup with Table B as your target, use the "Contains" filter operator for fuzzy matching, and match against the name column.
If a match is found, you can flag those rows to skip email enrichment. For better accuracy where company data exists, you could run a second lookup combining name + company.
Before setting this up, try our built-in AI tool Sculptor (top-right corner) - it can help you build this workflow quickly and it's free to use. Let me know if Sculptor helps or if you need more specific guidance!
Clay Support
APP
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·
Is that what you were looking for?
Clay Support
APP
·
·
If you still need help with setting up the fuzzy match or using Sculptor, I’m here to assist. Would you like to provide more details about what you’re trying to achieve or any challenges you’re facing?
Joe H.
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Are you able to lookup a single column that is a Formula?
Clay Support
APP
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Yes! You can use formula columns in Lookup Rows. When you reference a column like {{Email}} in the lookup, Clay automatically passes the value from that column into the lookup - this works for both regular columns and formula columns. [1]
So if you have a formula column that combines name + company or creates a unique identifier, you can absolutely use that as your "Row Value" input when setting up the lookup. [2]
Clay Support
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Did that answer your question?
Joe H.
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What should I put in the Row Value? There's no way to hyperlink my column
Clay Support
APP
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You don't hyperlink columns in Row Value - you reference them with forward slash notation. Type "/" followed by your column name to select it from the dropdown. [1]
For example, if your formula column is called "Full Name + Company", you'd put /Full Name + Company in the Row Value field. Clay will automatically pass the value from that column (whether it's a regular column or formula) into the lookup. [2]
Clay Support
APP
·
·
Was this helpful?
Clay Support
APP
·
·
If you still need help with setting up the lookup or using formula columns, I’m here to assist. Would you like to share more about what you’re trying to resolve or any specific issues you’re encountering?
Taimoor A.
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USE LOOK UP SINGLE AND MULTIPLE ROWS NOT FIND MATCHES IS GOODFIT FOR THIS
Clay Support
APP
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·
Exactly! You're absolutely right - "Lookup Single Row" and "Lookup Multiple Rows" are the correct tools for this, not "Find Matches in Table." [1]
Use "Lookup Single Row in Other Table" in Table A to check against Table B. Set Table B as your target, use the "Contains" filter operator for fuzzy matching on names, and reference your name column with forward slash notation like /Full Name.
This will flag existing contacts so you can skip email enrichment and save credits. [2]
Clay Support
APP
·
·
Is that what you were looking for?
Clay Support
APP
·
·
If you still need help with setting up the lookup or using formula columns, I’m here to assist. Would you like to provide more details about what you’re trying to resolve or any specific issues you’re encountering?

Clay Support
APP
·
·
Yes, "Lookup Rows" is the right approach for this! Use "Lookup Single Row in Other Table" in Table A to check against Table B. [1]
Since company names are spotty in Table B, I'd recommend matching on full name first. Set up the lookup with Table B as your target, use the "Contains" filter operator for fuzzy matching, and match against the name column.
If a match is found, you can flag those rows to skip email enrichment. For better accuracy where company data exists, you could run a second lookup combining name + company.
Before setting this up, try our built-in AI tool Sculptor (top-right corner) - it can help you build this workflow quickly and it's free to use. Let me know if Sculptor helps or if you need more specific guidance!
Clay Support
APP
·
·
Is that what you were looking for?
Clay Support
APP
·
·
If you still need help with setting up the fuzzy match or using Sculptor, I’m here to assist. Would you like to provide more details about what you’re trying to achieve or any challenges you’re facing?
Joe H.
·
·
Are you able to lookup a single column that is a Formula?
Clay Support
APP
·
·
Yes! You can use formula columns in Lookup Rows. When you reference a column like {{Email}} in the lookup, Clay automatically passes the value from that column into the lookup - this works for both regular columns and formula columns. [1]
So if you have a formula column that combines name + company or creates a unique identifier, you can absolutely use that as your "Row Value" input when setting up the lookup. [2]
Clay Support
APP
·
·
Did that answer your question?
Joe H.
·
·
What should I put in the Row Value? There's no way to hyperlink my column
Clay Support
APP
·
·
You don't hyperlink columns in Row Value - you reference them with forward slash notation. Type "/" followed by your column name to select it from the dropdown. [1]
For example, if your formula column is called "Full Name + Company", you'd put /Full Name + Company in the Row Value field. Clay will automatically pass the value from that column (whether it's a regular column or formula) into the lookup. [2]
Clay Support
APP
·
·
Was this helpful?
Clay Support
APP
·
·
If you still need help with setting up the lookup or using formula columns, I’m here to assist. Would you like to share more about what you’re trying to resolve or any specific issues you’re encountering?
Taimoor A.
·
·
USE LOOK UP SINGLE AND MULTIPLE ROWS NOT FIND MATCHES IS GOODFIT FOR THIS
Clay Support
APP
·
·
Exactly! You're absolutely right - "Lookup Single Row" and "Lookup Multiple Rows" are the correct tools for this, not "Find Matches in Table." [1]
Use "Lookup Single Row in Other Table" in Table A to check against Table B. Set Table B as your target, use the "Contains" filter operator for fuzzy matching on names, and reference your name column with forward slash notation like /Full Name.
This will flag existing contacts so you can skip email enrichment and save credits. [2]
Clay Support
APP
·
·
Is that what you were looking for?
Clay Support
APP
·
·
If you still need help with setting up the lookup or using formula columns, I’m here to assist. Would you like to provide more details about what you’re trying to resolve or any specific issues you’re encountering?