The request here is straightforward, yet the solution is not. You have two tables, each with a name field and an address field. You want to run a fuzzy match on the names, but only when the addresses align exactly. That is a precise, logical requirement, and it is entirely reasonable to expect your tool to handle it. The fact that the existing configurations in the fuzzy match add-on do not support this combination is a genuine limitation, not a user error. We see this as a clear gap in what should be a more flexible workflow.
What this means for you is that you cannot rely on a single pass of the fuzzy match tool to get this done. The add-on is treating both columns with the same level of approximation, which is why you are not seeing the results you need. The workaround is to break this into two distinct steps, and it is not as complicated as it sounds. First, you need to isolate the exact address matches. You can do this with a simple lookup or an IF statement that compares the address columns directly. Once you have filtered down to only the rows where the addresses match exactly, you then run the fuzzy match on the name columns for that smaller dataset. This two-step process gives you the control you need, and it is a method that works with the tools you already have.
This is not about the add-on failing you; it is about understanding how to sequence your operations to get the outcome you want. The add-on is powerful, but it is not a single-click magic bullet for every scenario. It requires you to think about the data in stages. By separating the exact match from the fuzzy match, you are respecting the nature of each column. Addresses are often more standardized than names, so an exact match there is a strong signal. Names, on the other hand, are prone to typos and variations, which is why fuzzy logic is needed. Combining these two different types of matching in a single operation is a common need, and it is a gap in the tool's design that you can work around with a bit of planning.
So, our take is this: do not let the tool's limitations stop you. The solution is to be methodical. Filter for the exact address matches first, then apply the fuzzy match to the names within that filtered set. This is not a hack; it is a practical application of the tool's capabilities. It gives you the precision you need without sacrificing the flexibility of fuzzy logic. The next time you are stuck on a similar problem, remember that the answer is often in breaking the problem down into smaller, more manageable steps. That is how you get the job done correctly, and that is the approach we encourage you to take.