Cell value from a grid

While we can use vlookup or hlookup to return a cell value in a particular row or column. Is there a way we can lookup from both row and column to return a particular value from a cell in a grid?

Consider the case below:

(Yes, I have added more colours to the table this time 🙂 )

The construct is such that every week 5 batches of measurement is carried out. The dates are given in cells A2:A14 and batch numbers are given in cells B1:F1.

Result table for measurement for specific dates and batches is given in the table below:

You could use one of the following formulas to arrive at the result:

Method1: vlookup with match

C17=VLOOKUP(A17,A2:F14,MATCH(B17,A1:F1,0),FALSE)

Of course, you could find the same result with hlookup with match. Only remember to lookup in a row instead of a column

Method2: Index with match

C18=INDEX(B2:F14,MATCH(A18,A2:A14,0),MATCH(B18,B1:F1,0))

Method3: Indirect with address and match

C19=INDIRECT(ADDRESS(MATCH(A19,A2:A14,0)+ROW(A2)-1,MATCH(B19,B1:F1,0)+COLUMN(B1)-1))

And now the bonus formula – using array

Method4: Sum as an array function

C20 {=SUM(($A$2:$A$14=A20)*($B$1:$F$1=B20)*B2:F14)}

Array formula is entered with ctrl+shift+enter

Method5: Use sumproduct as an alternate for array function

C21=SUMPRODUCT(($A$2:$A$14=A21)*($B$1:$F$1=B21)*B2:F14)

Use one of the above formulas or make one for yourself and share with others. Have fun 🙂

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Extracting the nth occurence from an array

In one of the earlier posts, I extracted the first, last, min and max occurence from an array for a particular lookup. Refer this post.

The next step perhaps would be to answer if it is possible to extract the second, third occurences and so on. Consequently to extract all occurences for a particular lookup_value.

Consider the same example, as earlier:

Each of the 4 persons randomly appear for a test and their scores are recorded. I had given methods to extract the scores for 1st and last attempt by each of the 4 perons. Now lets find out their scores for 2nd, 3rd, etc attempts

The table above gives the results. Row 1 gives the number of attempt.

The formula used for getting to the result is

F2=IF(COUNTIF(Person,$E2)>=F$1,INDIRECT(ADDRESS(SUMPRODUCT(LARGE((Person=$E2)*ROW($B$2:$B$15),COUNTIF(Person,$E2)+1-F$1)),3)),”-“)

Person is B2:B15

As you would see, I have used sumproduct to avoid using array formula and a combination of indirect and address to extract results.

Here are the steps to understand this formula –

• Lets begin with the component LARGE((Person=$E2)*ROW($B$2:$B$15),COUNTIF(Person,$E2)+1-F$1
• Remember Large function has the syntax LARGE(array,k) which returns the kth largest value from the array. For example if k=2, then the function returns second largest value in the array.
• Now, (Person=$E2)*ROW($B$2:$B$15) would create an array like {0,2,0,0,5,0,0,0,9,0,0,0,0,0,0} which is essentially the row numbers of cells in the array where Person=Mike is true
• For the k part in large function, I have entered COUNTIF(Person,$E2)+1-F$1. Mike occurs 3 times in array Person, so the k would be 3,2,1, such that 1st attempt score is followed by 2nd attempt score and so on
• Once this is clear, rest is easy
• Address function has syntax Address(row_num, column_num, [abs_num]). row_num is given from the large function, column_num is entered as 3, which is the column number of Score, [abs_num] is omitted which returns address in absolute eg $C$2
• Indirect(“$C$2”) returns the value inC2.
• If condition at the beginning simply evaluates if we have exhausted all occurences of Mike. Once done, it returns a “-“.

§ Note: This also is a better way for multiple extraction because sorting of original table is not required. 

There are 3 other alternative formulas given in the earlier post to achieve the same result.

Else, if one method is sufficient for you, use this and have fun 🙂

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First, Last, Min, Max for a particular value in an array

Consider a set-up where 4 users randomly appear for a test. Their scores are recorded in the order in which they appear for the test. Our objective is to find their scores in the first and last attempts and also their minimum and maximum scores. Here are the users and their scores:

The objective is to find the first, last, min and max score for each user. The solution looks like this:

For first attempt score, the formula is a simple vlookup

F2=VLOOKUP(E2,$B$2:$C$15,2,FALSE)

Person is B2:B15 and Score is C2:C15

For max score, the formula is simply:

H2 {=MAX(IF(Person=E2,Score,0))} entered as an array formula with ctrl+shift+enter

Similarly, for min score, the formula is

I2 {=MIN(IF(Person=E2,Score,100))} entered as an array formula with ctrl+shift+enter

I have entered 100 as it is greater than the largest number in Score. You may replace this with max(Score)+1.

Now for last attempt score, you could use one of the 3 sets of formulas

1. Using Index function – array formula

G2 {=INDEX(Score,MAX((Person=E2)*ROW(Person))-ROW(Person)+1)} entered as an array formula with ctrl+shift+enter

In this formula, max function finds out the last row number for a particular user. For instance for user Andy, MAX((Person=E2)*ROW(Person)) returns 14. To return the score for Andy in the last attempt, I have used index function. The minus part of ROW(Person)+1 simply takes care of cells above array Score.

2. Indirect-address function – array formula

G2 {=INDIRECT(ADDRESS(MAX((Person=E2)*ROW(Person)),3))} entered as an array formula with ctrl+shift+enter

If you feel uncomfortable with entering a number in the formula, you could replace 3 with column(Score)

3. Index – Sumproduct function

If you are tired of using array formulas, sumproduct offers some respite

G2=INDEX(Score,SUMPRODUCT(MAX((Person=E2)*ROW(Person)))-ROW(Person)+1)

The formula is similar to the Index with array formula. Here sumproduct is used differently then the normal usage. Notice that there is only one array in sumproduct. The function treats the parameters entered as an array, so we need not enter it as an array formula.

Similarly, indirect address formula can also be entered with sumproduct without entering it as an array formula.

Give it a try. Have fun 🙂

Answer:

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