# Compare values

Source: https://neondeerdata.com/docs/platform/automations/steps/compare-values/

Step · Compare

Compares two sets of email addresses, domains or phone numbers: only in A, only in B, or in both.

## Inputs

| Label          | Key                      | Type                                        | Required | Notes                                                                                     |
| -------------- | ------------------------ | ------------------------------------------- | -------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Attribute type | `attribute_type`         | Choice: Domain, Email address, Phone number | Yes      | Variables cannot be wired into this input. The value inputs below change with the choice. |
| Set A          | `previous_<type>_values` | Values of the chosen type                   | No       |                                                                                           |
| Set B          | `new_<type>_values`      | Values of the chosen type                   | No       |                                                                                           |

## Outputs

| Label       | Key         | Type                              | Always set | Notes |
| ----------- | ----------- | --------------------------------- | ---------- | ----- |
| Only in B   | `added`     | Group: Count, Values, Values text | Yes        |       |
| Only in A   | `removed`   | Group: Count, Values, Values text | Yes        |       |
| Differences | `changed`   | Group: Count, Values, Values text | Yes        |       |
| In both     | `unchanged` | Group: Count, Values, Values text | Yes        |       |

## How it behaves

- Reads each value’s normalized form (falling back to the original, and the root domain for domains), then trims, lowercases and de-duplicates.
- Outputs are the lowercased normalized forms, not the original strings. Values text joins the values with “, ”, or reads `none` when empty.

## Errors

Fails when

- Neither Set A nor Set B is wired for the chosen Attribute type. Wire at least one set.

For errors that every step can return, see [Troubleshooting](https://neondeerdata.com/docs/platform/automations/troubleshooting/).

## Notes

- Workspace members are not supported here; use Compare members.

## Example

Detect which email addresses were added to a person's record.

**Example inputs**

| Input          | Value                                 |
| -------------- | ------------------------------------- |
| Attribute type | Email address                         |
| Set A          | priya@acme.com, p.shah@gmail.com      |
| Set B          | Priya@Acme.com, priya.shah@globex.com |

**Example outputs**

| Output      | Value                                                         |
| ----------- | ------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Only in B   | Count 1; Values text: priya.shah@globex.com                   |
| Only in A   | Count 1; Values text: p.shah@gmail.com                        |
| Differences | Count 2; Values text: p.shah@gmail.com, priya.shah@globex.com |
| In both     | Count 1; Values text: priya@acme.com                          |

Values are compared lowercased, so Priya@Acme.com matches priya@acme.com.