How to transpose Columns to rows (with interruptions) in Excel? - excel

Suppose that we have two columns including a million rows
like this:
What is the right formula or VBA to make another arranged table like this?


For a pure Excel solution try this.
First you need to add a helper column. This just returns TRUE on a header row or FALSE otherwise. This isn't strictly necessary, but it will make the rest of the formulas a little simpler. In the sample you provided above, type this into cell C1:
=IF(A1=B1,TRUE,FALSE)
Now enter this is cell D1:
=IF(AND(C1,NOT(C2)),A2,"")
What this does is check if the current row is a header but not the next, and copies the first cell of the next row if it is, or returns a blank string if it isn't.
Each subsequent cell follows the same pattern, but it first checks if the previous cell is blank. Enter this function into cell E1:
=IF(D1="","",IF(AND(C1,NOT(C3)),A3,""))
Now you just need to copy this pattern outfor another 10 cells. Unfortunately copy-and-paste won't work as you need to increment A3 and C3 downwards, while copy-and-paste with increment them to the right. So, from E1, we get:
F1: =IF(E1="","",IF(AND(C1,NOT(C4)),A4,""))
G1: =IF(F1="","",IF(AND(C1,NOT(C5)),A5,""))
.
.
.
O1: =IF(N1="","",IF(AND(C1,NOT(C13)),A13,""))
Now copy those cells to the bottom of the data set and you should get the results you're after. Here's an example:
Note the extra TRUE in cell C21 so that the last calculation terminates correctly.
However, if you really have a million rows in your data set, I would question the wisdom of using Excel at all. Depending on your circumstances and resources, you may be better off keeping the data in a text file and processing it with a proper scripting language.


Problem Solved in excelforum by JohnTopley here:
http://www.excelforum.com/excel-formulas-and-functions/1174447-interrupted-transpose.html

Related

Excel with Blank cells and a IF/AND statement

I have cells A1-A7 with A1 needing the formula. Cells A2-A7 have dropdown list options of "Y" or "N". What I'm needing is for A1 to remain blank until a "Y/N" option is chosen for cells A2-A7. Once A2-A7 have data (Y or N) I need them to be evaluated so that if there is a "N" in any cell of A2-A7, then A1 will display "N". If no "N" is input in A2-A7, then A1 will display "Y"
The formula I'm currently using in cell A1 is:
=IF(COUNTBLANK(M3:M7)>0,"",(IF(AND(M3="N",M4="N",M5="N",M6="N",M7="N"),"N","Y")))
This formula is keeping the A1 cell blank no matter what is input into A2-A7. Any ideas?

There's several ways to do this, but the one first coming to mind for me is to rewrite the second part of your formula.
Keep this part, to check if you have all of your cells filled out
IF(COUNTBLANK(M3:M7)>0,"",
Then, I'd use the same method for finding out if any of the cells hold the value "N"
IF(COUNTIF(M3:M7,"N")>0;"N";"Y")
This is a personal choice, but I find reading the code is easier if you use versions of the same function like this.
The whole code would then be
IF(COUNTBLANK(M3:M7)>0,"",IF(COUNTIF(M3:M7,"N")>0,"N","Y"))
PS: I saw in the comment someone suggested splitting the original formula up in different cells to figure out where it goes wrong. There's also a built-in function that allows you to calculate a formula step-by-step and see the results. It's called Evaluate Formula and can be found under the Formula section.

Special character wanted which prevents an Excel formula from changing its reference when the referenced cell is moved

With the special character '$' I can prevent an Excel formula from changing its reference when the cell itself is copied (e.g '$A$1').
But is there also a special character that prevents an Excel formula from changing its reference when the referenced cell is moved?
Here's an example:
I have:
Now I move the cells 'A1:A3' down one row. So the formulas in the cells 'C1:C3' change:
But I don't want that the formulas in the cells 'C1:C3' change. They should remain unchanged:

Try formula:
=IF(INDEX(A:A,ROW(1:1))=INDEX(B:B,ROW(1:1)),"Same","Not same")
the formula always work, regardless of any column been delete besides columns A or B

If you always want to refer to A1, then you can't just use A1 as a reference, because, as you have seen, Excel will adjust that reference if rows are inserted above.
Instead, use Index(A:A,1) . That will always return the value from the first row of column A.
=if(index(A:A,1)=index(B:B,1),"same","not")
Edit after comment: If this does not suit your purpose, maybe you need to redesign your spreadsheet so that the position of things does not change all the time. This looks like you are adding new data at the top of a list.
Excel works from top to bottom and things will be a lot easier if new data is added at the bottom of a list. You can always use other Excel tools to change the sort order if you want to have the data sorted in reverse chronological order.

Use formula in C1:
=IF(INDEX(A:A,ROW(ZZ1))=INDEX(B:B,ROW(ZZ1)),"Same","Not same")
and copy down.

EXCEL: When dragging cells to the right I need to use information stored in columns not rows (Not sure how to ask this properly)

It's probably a simple problem, but I did not even know the keywords to google it ;/. Let's say I have this data :
Now I also have this litle formula:
If I know drag the C cell to the right, Excel will attempt the following caluclation:
=2+B1
What I want him to do is to attempt this calculation
=2+A2
Of course the easiest solution would be to store my initial data in one row instead of 1 column, but it is really inconvenient for me. Thanks for any help

You can use the indirect() method to reference a cell by it's "String identifier", i.e. "A3". When filling out to the right, use CONCATENATE() and COLUMN() to create your String identifiers {A1,A2,A3,A4,A5...} as required:
=2+INDIRECT(CONCATENATE("A";COLUMN()-2))
This will result in the following:
Side-Node: If you want this for some x/y-Grid-Generation, you can also be lazy,
and just insert =COLUMN() for every cell from "A1 - Z1" and ROW() for every cell from "A2 - A24".
(Or even avoid these at all and directly perform your actual calculation by using column() and row() as replacement for your x/y.

You may try using a combination of the INDIRECT and COLUMN functions:
=2+INDIRECT("A"&(COLUMN()-2))
You would paste the above formula into cell C1, and then drag across to the right however many columns/rows you wanted to cover.
This would result in the following:
This works because COLUMN()-2 returns 1 for the C column, 2 for the D column, and so on. Therefore, the formula will be calling INDIRECT on A1, A2, etc. for column C, D, and so on.

In general, if you want relative references to move down as cells are dragged to the right, you can use this:
Instead of:
= 2+A1
Do:
= 2+INDEX($A:$A,COLUMN()+<offset>)
Where <offset> is whatever offset you need. The offset will change depending on which column the starting formula is located in.
INDEX should be preferred over INDIRECT because INDIRECT is volatile (must recalculate after any change to the workbook) but INDEX is not (only recalculated when one of the inputs the formula, in this case $A:$A, changes).

Copying formula from one row above in excel

I am new to excel and I am hoping if someone could help me with this challenge.
What I am trying to achieve is use a continuation formula from cell above if the cell to the left of current cell is not empty.
As you can see in the attached picture, the formula is copied down the row but the left cell is empty, I only want excel to apply formula if left cell is not empty,
I will really appreciate if you can help me please.

You can use ISBLANK and IF function together to check whether a cell is blank or not and give the value you want.
=IF(ISBLANK(A1), "", <put your original formula here>)
It is checking whether cell A1 is blank, then give nothing if it is true. If it is false (there is something in the cell), it will evaluate 3rd argument. So put your formula there.
You may want to look at some beginners tutorial first so that you can learn more about excel functions systematically.
check
https://support.office.com/en-us/article/IF-function-69aed7c9-4e8a-4755-a9bc-aa8bbff73be2 and
https://support.office.com/en-us/article/IS-functions-0f2d7971-6019-40a0-a171-f2d869135665
to know more the IF adn ISBLANK function

Use =ISBLANK() to reliably test if a cell is actually empty.
The following is a table showing the results of applying various functions to a cell to test if is blank or is empty.
Column H contains the actual values being tested. Column I shows what is actually in the cells in column H. Columns D:G apply various formulas to test the contents of H.
Note that, somewhat a misnomer, =ISBLANK is the reliable way to test for an empty cell. =COUNTBLANK or IF(CELL.Value = "") are good ways to test for a blank cell.
I expanded on the example given by Colin Legg here
I hope i have used the term NullString appropriately,other users please feel free to correct me on that.

search multiple columns for a value and concatenate the address of the cells

I have been breaking my head over this formula for sometime now. I have found a solution which is too big and not so convenient to use every time. So can any Excel Expert give me a solution/suggestion?
Column A contains 150 values. Column D to R contains a table in which I need to look up the values in A one by one. I want to return address of all the cells that contains the value.
For example, Value in A2 is present in cells D5, E15, H10, R3 then my result should be D5,E15,H10,R13.
Please Note that some columns may not contain the value of A2, I do not want them displayed.
Here is the formula I have written:
=CONCATENATE(
IF(A2=IF(COUNTIF(D:D,A2),VLOOKUP(A2,D:D,1,FALSE),""),ADDRESS(MATCH(A2,D:D,0),4,4),0),",",
IF(A2=IF(COUNTIF(E:E,A2),VLOOKUP(A2,E:E,1,FALSE),""),ADDRESS(MATCH(A2,E:E,0),5,4),0),",",
IF(A2=IF(COUNTIF(F:F,A2),VLOOKUP(A2,F:F,1,FALSE),""),ADDRESS(MATCH(A2,F:F,0),6,4),0),",",
IF(A2=IF(COUNTIF(G:G,A2),VLOOKUP(A2,G:G,1,FALSE),""),ADDRESS(MATCH(A2,G:G,0),7,4),0),",",
IF(A2=IF(COUNTIF(H:H,A2),VLOOKUP(A2,H:H,1,FALSE),""),ADDRESS(MATCH(A2,H:H,0),8,4),0),",",
IF(A2=IF(COUNTIF(I:I,A2),VLOOKUP(A2,I:I,1,FALSE),""),ADDRESS(MATCH(A2,I:I,0),9,4),0),",",
IF(A2=IF(COUNTIF(J:J,A2),VLOOKUP(A2,J:J,1,FALSE),""),ADDRESS(MATCH(A2,J:J,0),10,4),0),",",
IF(A2=IF(COUNTIF(K:K,A2),VLOOKUP(A2,K:K,1,FALSE),""),ADDRESS(MATCH(A2,K:K,0),11,4),0),",",
IF(A2=IF(COUNTIF(L:L,A2),VLOOKUP(A2,L:L,1,FALSE),""),ADDRESS(MATCH(A2,L:L,0),12,4),0),",",
IF(A2=IF(COUNTIF(M:M,A2),VLOOKUP(A2,M:M,1,FALSE),""),ADDRESS(MATCH(A2,M:M,0),13,4),0),",",
IF(A2=IF(COUNTIF(N:N,A2),VLOOKUP(A2,N:N,1,FALSE),""),ADDRESS(MATCH(A2,N:N,0),14,4),0),",",
IF(A2=IF(COUNTIF(O:O,A2),VLOOKUP(A2,O:O,1,FALSE),""),ADDRESS(MATCH(A2,O:O,0),15,4),0),",",
IF(A2=IF(COUNTIF(P:P,A2),VLOOKUP(A2,P:P,1,FALSE),""),ADDRESS(MATCH(A2,P:P,0),16,4),0),",",
IF(A2=IF(COUNTIF(Q:Q,A2),VLOOKUP(A2,Q:Q,1,FALSE),""),ADDRESS(MATCH(A2,Q:Q,0),17,4),0),",",
IF(A2=IF(COUNTIF(R:R,A2),VLOOKUP(A2,R:R,1,FALSE),""),ADDRESS(MATCH(A2,R:R,0),18,4),0))
As I said, this works but I am looking for a simpler and smaller formula.
Hint: Maybe using array can help?
Thanks in advance :)

What you are trying to accomplish is not a great fit for Excel formulas, but it can be done with a smaller, simpler formula dragged across 15 columns instead of 1 giant complicated formula that tries to do everything at once.
Assuming column A has 150 values (from A1 to A150), and there is a table going from D1 to R50...
Enter =S1&IFERROR(","&ADDRESS(MATCH($A1,D$1:D$50,0),COLUMN(D1)),"") into T1.
Drag the formula across to AH1.
Enter =RIGHT(AH1,LEN(AH1)-1) into AI1.
Select T1 to AI150 and press Ctrl-D.
Column AI1 will contain the results you are looking for.
How does this work?
The formula in T1 begins by taking the result of one cell to the left (which is blank). Then it concatenates this with the address of the first match in column D (prefixed by a comma). If there is no match, it just concatenates blank (""). As you drag this formula to the right, it keeps concatenating addresses as matches come up (or blank if there are none). When you get to the end, you will have looked for matches in all 15 column of your table.
The formula in AI1 just strips off the initial comma if there is one.

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