Match function parts in Excel 2016 - excel

I have this function:
MATCH(1,(PositionParameter[[#All],[Position Revised]]=$C94)asterisk(PositionParameter[[#All],[Campus Type Short]]=G$3)asterisk(PositionParameter[[#All],[Campus Num Arbitrary]]=G$1),0))
and I can't figure out what it does. I don't know what the asterisks are for. PositionParameter is the name of the worksheet, Position Revised is the name of a column, Campus Type Short is the name of a column, and Campus Num Arbitrary is the name of a column. There is suppose to be an asterisk between the first PositionParameter() and the second PositionParameter(). There is supposed to be another asterisk between the second PositionParameter() and the third PositionParameter(), but it is rendered as an italic. I took the asterisk out and spelled it out. The tooltip tells me this is suppose to return some sort of array, but I can't figure out its components. Can someone explain the asterisks to me? I would appreciate it.
Thanks,
Howard Hong

Your formula returns a single value - the relative position of the first row in the data where all three conditions are met.
It works like this:
Each of these three conditional statements:
PositionParameter[[#All],[Position Revised]]=$C94
PositionParameter[[#All],[Campus Type Short]]=G$3
PositionParameter[[#All],[Campus Num Arbitrary]]=G$1
.....returns an array of TRUE/FALSE values. Multiplying these three arrays together produces a single array of 1/0 values, 1 when all conditions are met in a row, 0 otherwise. This array forms the "lookup array" of the MATCH function
The "lookup value" is 1 so that value is looked up in the lookup array and the result of the MATCH function is the position of the first 1, which corresponds to the first row where all conditions are satisfied.
If there are no rows which meet all three conditions then the result is #N/A
Note that the zero at the end is the third parameter of the MATCH function - zero menas that an exact match must be found.
This is an "array formula" which needs to be confirmed with CTRL+SHIFT+ENTER
Often you would use this in conjunction with INDEX function to return a value from another column in the first row where conditions are satisfied, e.g. using normal cell references
=INDEX(A:A,MATCH(1,(B:B="x")*(C:C="y"),0))
That formula will return the value from column A in the first row where the two specified conditions are met (col B = "x"and col C = "y")

Well, asterisk could be a multiplication symbol or it could be a wildcard in Match. By the looks of the placement, I'd say it's multiplying data from an array or table.
And, um... I don't know what the asterisks are for but I took the asterisk out and spelled it out? Why would you do that? Was it working before you changed it? Where did you find this formula?
Please read [mcve]. Without sample data or other information about the purpose of the formula, I will take a wild guess:
Paste this into the cell:
=MATCH(1,(PositionParameter[[#All],[Position Revised]]=$C94)*(PositionParameter[[#All],[Campus Type Short]]=G$3)*(PositionParameter[[#All],[Campus Num Arbitrary]]=G$1),0))
. . . and assuming it's supposed to be an array, instead of hitting Enter on that cell:
hit: Ctrl+Shift+Enter to create an array formula.
Besides the link above, here is some other reading & practice for you:
Create an array formula
MATCH function
I think certains applications replace certain symbols (that aren't allowed in the application] with words when copying and pasting from Excel to them, but without more information about what happened, I can't say for sure what happened.

Assuming that the * are real and that the formula is entered as an array formula then it should return an array of 0s and 1s.
The formula is looking for Position Revised=C94 AND Campus Type Short =G3 AND Campus Num Arbitrary = G1
It will return a 1 for each row that matches all these conditions and a 0 for each row that does not.
If no rows match the conditions it will return #N/A

Related

How to select a column IF [duplicate]

Is there a formula that returns a value from the first line matching two or more criteria? For example, "return column C from the first line where column A = x AND column B = y". I'd like to do it without concatenating column A and column B.
Thanks.
True = 1, False = 0
D1 returns 0 because 0 * 1 * 8 = 0
D2 returns 9 because 1 * 1 * 9= 9
This should let you change the criteria:
I use INDEX/MATCH for this. Ex:
I have a table of data and want to return the value in column C where the value in column A is "c" and the value in column B is "h".
I would use the following array formula:
=INDEX($C$1:$C$5,MATCH(1,(($A$1:$A$5="c")*($B$1:$B$5="h")),0))
Commit the formula by pressing Ctrl+Shift+Enter
After entering the formula, you can use Excel's formula auditing tools to step through the evaluation to see how it calculates.
SUMPRODUCT definitely has value when the sum over multiple criteria matches is needed. But the way I read your question, you want something like VLOOKUP that returns the first match. Try this:
For your convenience the formula in G2 is as follows -- requires array entry (Ctrl+Shift+Enter)
[edit: I updated the formula here but not in the screen shot]
=INDEX($C$1:$C$6,MATCH(E2&"|"&F2,$A$1:$A$6&"|"&$B$1:$B$6,0))
Two things to note:
SUMPRODUCT won't work if the result type is not numeric
SUMPRODUCT will return the SUM of results matching the criteria, not the first match (as VLOOKUP does)
Apparently you can use the SUMPRODUCT function.
Actually, I think what he is asking is typical multiple results display option in excel. It can be done using Small, and row function in arrays.
This display all the results that matches the different criteria
Here is an answer that shows how to do this using SUMPRODUCT and table header lookups. The main advantage to this: it works with any value, numeric or otherwise.
So let's say we have headers H1, H2 and H3 on some table called MyTable. And let's say we are entering this into row 1, possibly on another sheet. And we want to match H1, H2 to x, y on that sheet, respectively, while returning the matching value in H3. Then the formula would be as follows:
=INDEX(MyTable[H3], ROUND(SUMPRODUCT(MATCH(TRUE, (MyTable[H1] & MyTable[H2]) = ($x1 & $y1),0)),0),1)
What does it do? The sum-product ensures everything is treated as arrays. So you can contatenate entire table columns together to make an array of concatenated valued, dynamically calculated. And then you can compare these to the existing values in x and y- somehow magically you can compare the concatenated array from the table to the individual concatenation of x & y. Which gives you an array of true false values. Matching that to true yields the first match of the lookup. And then all we need to do is go back and index that in the original table.
Notes
The rounding is just in there to make sure the Index function gets back an integer. I got #N/A values until I rounded.
It might be more instructive to run this through the evaluator to see what's going on...
This can easily be modified to work with a non table - just replace the table references with raw ranges. The tables are clearer though, so use them if possible. I found the original source for this here: http://dailydoseofexcel.com/archives/2009/04/21/vlookup-on-two-columns/. But there was a bug with rouding values to INTs so I fixed that.

INDEX/MATCH with 4 columns

I have an Excel file with 2 sheets - one sheet contains my items, prices, codes, etc. and the other sheet is for cross-matching with competitors.
I've included an Excel file and image below.
I want to be able to generate my code automatically when manually entering any of my competitor's codes. I was able to do INDEX/MATCH but I was only able to match with one column (I'm assuming they're all in one sheet to make it easier). Here is my formula:
=INDEX(C:C,MATCH(K2,E:E,0)
So this is looking only in E:E, when I tried to enter a different column such as C:C or D:D it returns an error.
I tried to do the MATCH as C:G but it gave an error right away.
The reason why match gave you error is because it's looking for an array and you put in multiple columns.
There is definitely a more elegant way to do this but this is the first one that I came up with.
=IFERROR(INDEX(B:B,MATCH(K2,C:C,0)),IFERROR(INDEX(B:B,MATCH(K2,D:D,0)),IFERROR(INDEX(B:B,MATCH(K2,E:E,0)),IFERROR(INDEX(B:B,MATCH(K2,F:F,0)),IFERROR(INDEX(B:B,MATCH(K2,G:G,0)),"")))))
Index/Match Combination
Please try this formula:
{=INDEX($B$2:$B$5,MATCH(1,(K2=$C$2:$C$5)+(K2=$D$2:$D$5)+(K2=$E$2:$E$5)+(K2=$F$2:$F$5)+(K2=$G$2:$G$5),0))}
Instruction: Paste the formula {without the curly brackets} to the formula bar and hit CTRL+SHIFT+ENTER while the cell is still active. This will create an array formula. Hence, the curly brackets. Please take note though that manually entering the curly brackets will not work.
Description:
The INDEX function returns a value or the reference to a value from within a table or range.1
The MATCH function searches for a specified item in a range of cells, and then returns the relative position of that item in the range.2
Syntax:
The INDEX function has two forms—Array and Reference form. We're going use the Reference form in this case.
INDEX(reference, row_num, [column_num], [area_num])1
MATCH(lookup_value, lookup_array, [match_type])2
Explanation:
To simplify, we're going to use this form:
INDEX(reference, MATCH(lookup_value, lookup_array, [match_type]))
The INDEX function returns a value from the reference My code column (B1:B5) based on the row_num argument, which serves as an index number to point to the right cell, and we're going to do that by substituting row_num with MATCH function.
MATCH function, on the other hand, returns the relative position of a value in competitorn column that matches the value in individual cells of the competitor code column.
To make it work with multiple lookup range, we're going to create arrays of boolean values (TRUE/FALSE, aka logical values) by comparing values from individual cells in competitor code column with values in individual competitorn columns. Now, we convert these boolean values into numerical values by performing a mathematical operation that does not alter its implied value (i.e. TRUE=1, FALSE=0). We're going to add these values directly to make it simple. The resulting array have four index with two possible values: 1 or 0. Since each item in MATCH's lookup_array is unique, then there can be only one TRUE or 1. The rest are FALSE or 0's. So, with that knowledge, we're going to use it as our lookup_value.
Let's dissect the formula:
=INDEX(B2:B5,MATCH(1,(K2=C2:C5)+(K2=D2:D5)+(K2=E2:E5)+(K2=F2:F5)+(K2=G2:G5),0))
My code 2 = INDEX({"My code 1";"My code 2";"My code 3";"My code 4"},MATCH)
My code 2 = INDEX({"My code 1";"My code 2";"My code 3";"My code 4"},(2))
2 = MATCH(1,(K2=C2:C5)+(K2=D2:D5)+(K2=E2:E5)+(K2=F2:F5)+(K2=G2:G5),0)
2 =MATCH(1,
{FALSE;FALSE;FALSE;FALSE}+
{FALSE;FALSE;FALSE;FALSE}+
{FALSE;FALSE;FALSE;FALSE}+
{FALSE;FALSE;FALSE;FALSE}+
{FALSE;TRUE;FALSE;FALSE},0))
OR
=MATCH(1,
{0;0;0;0}+
{0;0;0;0}+
{0;0;0;0}+
{0;0;0;0}+
{0;1;0;0},0))
=========
{0;1;0;0},0))
2 = MATCH(1,{0;1;0;0},0))
I hope this answer is helpful.
References and links:
INDEX function
MATCH function
Create an array formula

Condensing a large formula

I was wondering if anyone could enlighten me on a way to condense/shorten this formula:
=IF(ISNUMBER(SEARCH("Kirkintilloch",B2)),"BRN01",IF(ISNUMBER(SEARCH("Tweacher",B2)),"BRN01",IF(ISNUMBER(SEARCH("Lenzie",B2)),"BRN01",IF(ISNUMBER(SEARCH("Bishopbrigg",B2)),"BRN03",IF(ISNUMBER(SEARCH("Torrance",B2)),"BRN03",IF(ISNUMBER(SEARCH("Bearsden",B2)),"BRN04",IF(ISNUMBER(SEARCH("Milngavie",B2)),"BRN04")))))))
Column B will contain an address which will be from one of these seven towns.
The reason I didn't do an IF then Lookup was that the result I want to return is not unique, I.e. Kirkintilloch & Torrance both need to return a result of BRN01.
If it's not possible to simplify this then no worries. It would just save me a lot of work in a larger piece of work with many more possible outcomes.
This is an array formula - confirm it with Ctrl+Shift+Enter while still in the formula bar:
=INDEX(Towns,SMALL(IF(ISNUMBER(SEARCH(INDEX(Towns,0,2),B2)),INDEX(Towns,0,1)),1),3)
Breaking this down:
First you need to create a named range (I called mine "Towns") that contains the array of an index, the town name and the desired return "BRN**" (you could make this a simple range and just reference that but I entered the actual array by selecting the range in formula, highlighting it and using F9 to calculate)
Now that you have this array, I use Index providing 0 for the row argument to return all rows so that I can equate against just a single column at a time.
IF(ISNUMBER(SEARCH(INDEX(Towns,0,2),B2)),INDEX(Towns,0,1))
As this is an array formula, each row is assessed individually and the results (first column when a match is found - index of the array) returned as an array, like so: {FALSE;FALSE;3;FALSE;FALSE;FALSE;FALSE}
I then use SMALL() to catch the lowest number or the first match to feed another index for the third column.

How can I get the location of a cell in Excel based on its value if it's not the first one in the column?

I know how to use index and match formulas to get the value or location of a matching cell. But what I don't know how to do is get that information when the cell I'm looking for isn't going to be the first match.
Take the image below for example. I want to get the location of the cell that says "Successful Deliveries". In this example there's a cell that matches that in rows 11 and 30. These locations can vary in the future so I need a formula that's smart enough to handle that.
How would I get the location of the second instance of "Successful Deliveries"? I figured I could use the "Combination 2 Stats" value from row 24 as a starting point.
I tried using this formula:
=MATCH("Successful Deliveries:",A24:A1000,0)
But it returns a row number of 7 which is just relative to the A24 cell I started my match at.
My end goal here is to get the value from the cell directly to the right of the second match of "Successful Deliveries".
In your formula, with no further intelligence, you can simply add 23 to adjust 7 to the result:
=MATCH("Successful Deliveries:",A24:A1000,0) + 23
You know that 23 is the number to add because you started your search on row 24.
The full answer is here:
https://exceljet.net/formula/get-nth-match-with-index-match
You use this formula:
=INDEX(B1:B100,SMALL(if(A1:A100 = "Successful Deliveries:",ROW(A1:A100) - ROW(INDEX(A1:A100,1,1))+1),2))
...where 2 is the instance you want.
Make sure to finish typing the formula by hitting ctrl-shift-enter. (You know you did this right because the formula gets curly brackets {})
HOW IT WORKS
Normally, we use INDEX / MATCH to find a value. The Index function gives you the nth value in a range, and the Match function determines which "n" is a match for our criteria.
Here we use INDEX the same way, but we need more intelligence to find that "n", since it's the second one that matches the criteria. That's where SMALL comes in. The Small function "gets the nth smallest value in an array". So we give Small the number of the desired instance (2 in this case) and we give it an array of blanks and the rows numbers of the rows we like.
We obtained the array of blanks and row numbers using the If function, asking it to check for our criterion (="Successful...") and making it return the row number where the criterion passes (=Row(A1:A100)). By using the If function as an array function (by giving it arrays and using ctrl-shift-enter) it can deliver a whole list of values.
Our final value is just one number because the Small function used the array from the IF to return just one thing: the second-smallest row we gave to it.

VLOOKUP with two criteria?

Is there a formula that returns a value from the first line matching two or more criteria? For example, "return column C from the first line where column A = x AND column B = y". I'd like to do it without concatenating column A and column B.
Thanks.
True = 1, False = 0
D1 returns 0 because 0 * 1 * 8 = 0
D2 returns 9 because 1 * 1 * 9= 9
This should let you change the criteria:
I use INDEX/MATCH for this. Ex:
I have a table of data and want to return the value in column C where the value in column A is "c" and the value in column B is "h".
I would use the following array formula:
=INDEX($C$1:$C$5,MATCH(1,(($A$1:$A$5="c")*($B$1:$B$5="h")),0))
Commit the formula by pressing Ctrl+Shift+Enter
After entering the formula, you can use Excel's formula auditing tools to step through the evaluation to see how it calculates.
SUMPRODUCT definitely has value when the sum over multiple criteria matches is needed. But the way I read your question, you want something like VLOOKUP that returns the first match. Try this:
For your convenience the formula in G2 is as follows -- requires array entry (Ctrl+Shift+Enter)
[edit: I updated the formula here but not in the screen shot]
=INDEX($C$1:$C$6,MATCH(E2&"|"&F2,$A$1:$A$6&"|"&$B$1:$B$6,0))
Two things to note:
SUMPRODUCT won't work if the result type is not numeric
SUMPRODUCT will return the SUM of results matching the criteria, not the first match (as VLOOKUP does)
Apparently you can use the SUMPRODUCT function.
Actually, I think what he is asking is typical multiple results display option in excel. It can be done using Small, and row function in arrays.
This display all the results that matches the different criteria
Here is an answer that shows how to do this using SUMPRODUCT and table header lookups. The main advantage to this: it works with any value, numeric or otherwise.
So let's say we have headers H1, H2 and H3 on some table called MyTable. And let's say we are entering this into row 1, possibly on another sheet. And we want to match H1, H2 to x, y on that sheet, respectively, while returning the matching value in H3. Then the formula would be as follows:
=INDEX(MyTable[H3], ROUND(SUMPRODUCT(MATCH(TRUE, (MyTable[H1] & MyTable[H2]) = ($x1 & $y1),0)),0),1)
What does it do? The sum-product ensures everything is treated as arrays. So you can contatenate entire table columns together to make an array of concatenated valued, dynamically calculated. And then you can compare these to the existing values in x and y- somehow magically you can compare the concatenated array from the table to the individual concatenation of x & y. Which gives you an array of true false values. Matching that to true yields the first match of the lookup. And then all we need to do is go back and index that in the original table.
Notes
The rounding is just in there to make sure the Index function gets back an integer. I got #N/A values until I rounded.
It might be more instructive to run this through the evaluator to see what's going on...
This can easily be modified to work with a non table - just replace the table references with raw ranges. The tables are clearer though, so use them if possible. I found the original source for this here: http://dailydoseofexcel.com/archives/2009/04/21/vlookup-on-two-columns/. But there was a bug with rouding values to INTs so I fixed that.

Resources