sub change_field_to_check { my $hoa = shift; my $field = shift; $field -= 1; my $new_arrangement; foreach (keys %$hoa) { $new_arrangement->{ $hoa->{ $_ }[ $field ] } = $hoa->{ $_ }; } return $new_arrangement; } $file_A = change_field_to_check( $file_A, 4 ); # Field 4 $file_B = change_field_to_check( $file_B, 4 ); # Field 4 foreach (keys %$file_A) { delete $file_A->{ $_ } unless exists( $file_B->{ $_ } ); }