Excel If Else Formula comparing string values - excel

First I'm no Excel formula guru..
I want to write a formula that is comparing 4 possible string values
such as: Up, Down, Left, Right
pseudocode would be say:
if a1="Up" and a2="Down" then 1.1
else if a1="Left" and a2="Right" then 1.1
else if a1="Left" and a2="Down" then .95
else if a1 = a2 then 1
I'd cover all the permutations..

I view it as 6 nested if tests
4 items to test/compare
6 tests emerge
1x2,1x3,1x4,2x3,2x4,3x4
=IF(1=2,do this,if(1=3,do this,if(1=4,do this,if(2=3,do this,if(2=4,do this,if(3=4,do this,value if every test fails))))))
I THINK Excel has a limit of 7 nested if formulas or perhaps even formulas in general.

Perhaps you're looking for something like this?
=IF("Test1"="","Equal1
","")&IF("Test2"="","Equal2
","")&IF("Test3"="","Equal3
","")&IF("Test4"="","Equal4
","")
Borrowed from basically the same question on SuperUser.

Related

Is it possible to show steps of calculation in Excel?

Let's say for example that I have these number in diffetent cells : 5 , 3 , 2. In different cell I type "=SUM(cells of my numbers)". So my question is : is it possible that result will be shown as "5 + 3 + 2" instead of just "10"?
BTW: I know that it's rather strange question.
You can use TEXTJOIN
=TEXTJOIN(" + ",TRUE,A1:C1)&" = "&SUM(A1:C1)
As mentioned via comment & assuming A1:A3 contain the desired value, the formula :
=A1&" + "&A2&" + "&A3
should do what you need. It is not a strange question. Maybe the (technically closer) is it possible that cell to display.. term is closer to what the technical communities here have in mind. (I'm not complaining.. english is hard on me too).
*Just fyi, "show calculation step" is the use of [ (select cell with formula) > Formula > Evaluate ] function in excel. It may be the reason this question is misunderstood. (^_^)\

Logic evaluation problem in SUMPRODUCT Formula

I am using a formula based on SUMPRODUCT, SUBTOTAL, and OFFSET. To enable count of visible rows only with criteria. I a trying it on a simple sample data which as follows. Data starts from B4 in the Range B4:B12 Header B3:
B Column
HD
2
2
4
6
2
1
8
9
2
Formula is :
=SUMPRODUCT((B4:B12=B4)*(SUBTOTAL(103,OFFSET(B4,ROW(B4:B12)-MIN(ROW(B4:B12)),0))))
It gives correct result of 4 counts for a value of 2.
I went for evaluation of the formula to fully understand its logic. I could comprehend major part of its logic but certain steps are not quite clear to me. I am reproducing evaluation steps below with my comments.
Step -1
=SUMPRODUCT(({2;2;4;6;2;1;8;9;2}=2)*(SUBTOTAL(103,OFFSET(B4,ROW(B4:B12)-MIN(ROW(B4:B12)),0))))
OK
Step -2
=SUMPRODUCT(({TRUE;TRUE;FALSE;FALSE;TRUE;FALSE;FALSE;FALSE;TRUE})*(SUBTOTAL(103,OFFSET(B4,ROW(B4:B12)-MIN(ROW(B4:B12)),0))))
OK
STEP-3
=SUMPRODUCT(({TRUE;TRUE;FALSE;FALSE;TRUE;FALSE;FALSE;FALSE;TRUE})*(SUBTOTAL(103,OFFSET(B4,ROW(B4:B12)-MIN(ROW(B4:B12)),0))))
OK
STEP-4
=SUMPRODUCT(({TRUE;TRUE;FALSE;FALSE;TRUE;FALSE;FALSE;FALSE;TRUE})*(SUBTOTAL(103,OFFSET($B$4,{4;5;6;7;8;9;10;11;12}-MIN({4;5;6;7;8;9;10;11;12}),0))))
OK
STEP-5
=SUMPRODUCT(({TRUE;TRUE;FALSE;FALSE;TRUE;FALSE;FALSE;FALSE;TRUE})*(SUBTOTAL(103,OFFSET($B$4,{4;5;6;7;8;9;10;11;12}-4),0))))
OK
STEP-6
=SUMPRODUCT({TRUE;TRUE;FALSE;FALSE;TRUE;FALSE;FALSE;FALSE;TRUE}*(SUBTOTAL(103,OFFSET($B$4,{0;1;2;3;4;5;6;7;8},0))))
Why {0;1;2;3;4;5;6;7;8} ??
STEP-7
=SUMPRODUCT({TRUE;TRUE;FALSE;FALSE;TRUE;FALSE;FALSE;FALSE;TRUE}*(SUBTOTAL(103,{#VALUE!;#VALUE!;#VALUE!;#VALUE!;#VALUE!;#VALUE!;#VALUE!;#VALUE!;#VALUE!;})))
Why {#VALUE!;#VALUE!;#VALUE!;#VALUE!;#VALUE!;#VALUE!;#VALUE!;#VALUE!;#VALUE!;} ??
STEP-8
=SUMPRODUCT({TRUE;TRUE;FALSE;FALSE;TRUE;FALSE;FALSE;FALSE;TRUE}*({1;1;1;1;1;1;1;1;1}))
How 1 instead of #VALUE!
STEP-9
=SUMPRODUCT({1;1;0;0;1;0;0;0;1})
OK
Step -10
4
OK
I am not having full clarity on the following points
STEP-6 : Why {0;1;2;3;4;5;6;7;8}
STEP-7: Why {#VALUE!;#VALUE!;#VALUE!;#VALUE!;#VALUE!;#VALUE!;#VALUE!;#VALUE!;#VALUE!;}
STEP-8: How 1 instead of #VALUE!
Hope Someone helps in clarifying the logic behind these mentioned spots. Please forgive me for asking clarity on such a trivial matter.
STEP-6 : Why {0;1;2;3;4;5;6;7;8}
Because the {4;5;6;7;8;9;10;11;12}-4 evaluates to {4-4;5-4;6-4;7-4;8-4;9-4;10-4;11-4;12-4} which is {0;1;2;3;4;5;6;7;8}
STEP-7: Why {#VALUE!;#VALUE!;#VALUE!;#VALUE!;#VALUE!;#VALUE!;#VALUE!;#VALUE!;#VALUE!}
The formula evaluator fails getting the values out of the 9 cell references got via OFFSET($B$4,{0;1;2;3;4;5;6;7;8},0) = {$B$4;$B$5;$B$6;$B$7;$B$8;$B$9;$B$10;$B$11;$B$12} in array context. But that does not matter because:
STEP-8: How 1 instead of #VALUE!
the SUBTOTAL(103,... is a COUNTA subtotal which, for each single cell reference of the 9 cell references got in step 7, counts 1 if it is not hidden, else 0. So it does not matter whether the cell values was evaluated or not.
Btw.: The same can be achieved using
=SUMPRODUCT((B4:B12=B4)*(SUBTOTAL(103,INDIRECT("B"&ROW(B4:B12)))))
Annotation:
Such formulas are result of trial and error. I doubt any Excel programmer was able predicting all usages of the functions they implemented. There are usages of Excel functions in the wild which are as much thought outside the box that they originally could not have thought so.
Bonus:
=SUMPRODUCT(OFFSET(B4,ROW(B4:B12)-MIN(ROW(B4:B12)),0))
results in 0 using your values in B4:B12.
Here the formula evaluator also fails getting the values out of the 9 cell references got via OFFSET($B$4,{0;1;2;3;4;5;6;7;8},0) = {$B$4;$B$5;$B$6;$B$7;$B$8;$B$9;$B$10;$B$11;$B$12} in array context. And the result is {#VALUE!;#VALUE!;#VALUE!;#VALUE!;#VALUE!;#VALUE!;#VALUE!;#VALUE!;#VALUE!}. But now it matters because we need the values.
In that case we can use N function to force getting the values
=SUMPRODUCT(N(OFFSET(B4,ROW(B4:B12)-MIN(ROW(B4:B12)),0)))
This results in 36, the sum of your values in B4:B12.

How do I sum data based on a PART of the headers name?

Say I have columns
/670 - White | /650 - black | /680 - Red | /800 - Whitest
These have data in their rows. Basically, I want to SUM their values together if their headers contain my desired string.
For modularity's sake, I wanted to merely specify to sum /670, /650, and /680 without having to mention the rest of the header text.
So, something like =SUMIF(a1:c1; "/NUM & /NUM & /NUM"; a2:c2)
That doesn't work, and honestly I don't know what i should be looking for.
Additional stuff:
I'm trying to think of the answer myself, is it possible to mention the header text as condition for ifs? Like: if A2="/650 - Black" then proceed to sum the next header. Is this possible?
Possibility it would not involve VBA, a draggable formula would be preferable!
At this point, I may as well request a version which handles the complete header name rather than just a part of it as I believe it to be difficult for formula code alone.
Thanks for having a look!
Let me know if I need to elaborate.
EDIT: In regards to data samples, any positive number will do actually, damn shame stack overflow doesn't support table markdown. Anyway, for example then..:
+-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+
| A | B | C | D | E |
+---+-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+
| 1 |/650 - Black |/670 - White |/800 - White |/680 - Red |/650 - Black |
+---+-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+
| 2 | 250 | 400 | 100 | 300 | 125 |
+---+-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+
I should have clarified:
The number range for these headers would go from /100 - /9999 and no more than that.
EDIT:
Progress so far:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1GiJKFcPWzG5bDsNt93eG7WS_M5uuVk9cvkt2VGSbpxY/edit?usp=sharing
Formula:
=SUMPRODUCT((A2:D2*
(MID($A$1:$D$1,2,4)=IF(LEN($H$1)=4,$H$1&"",$H$1&" ")))+(A2:D2*
(MID($A$1:$D$1,2,4)=IF(LEN($I$1)=4,$I$1&"",$I$1&" ")))+(A2:D2*
(MID($A$1:$D$1,2,4)=IF(LEN($J$1)=4,$J$1&"",$J$1&" "))))
Apparently, each MID function is returning false with each F9 calculation.
EDIT EDIT:
Okay! I found my issue, it's the /being read when you ALSO mentioned that it wasn't required. Man, I should stop skimming!
Final Edit:
=SUMPRODUCT((RETURNSUM*
(MID(HEADER,2,4)=IF(LEN(Match5)=4,Match5&"",Match5&" ")))+(RETURNSUM*
(MID(HEADER,2,4)=IF(LEN(Match6)=4,Match6&"",Match6&" ")))+(RETURNSUM*
(MID(HEADER,2,4)=IF(LEN(Match7)=4,Match7&"",Match7&" ")))
The idea is that Header and RETURNSUM will become match criteria like the matches written above, that way it would be easier to punch new criterion into the search table. As of the moment, it doesn't support multiple rows/dragging.
I have knocked up a couple of formulas that will achieve what you are looking for. For ease I have made the search input require the number only as pressing / does not automatically type into the formula bar. I apologise for the length of the answer, I got a little carried away with the explanation.
I have set this up for 3 criteria located in J1, K1 and L1.
Here is the output I achieved:
Formula 1 - SUMPRODUCT():
=SUMPRODUCT((A4:G4*(MID($A$1:$G$1,2,4)=IF(LEN($J$1)=4,$J$1&"",$J$1&" ")))+(A4:G4*(MID($A$1:$G$1,2,4)=IF(LEN($K$1)=4,$K$1&"",$K$1&" ")))+(A4:G4*(MID($A$1:$G$1,2,4)=IF(LEN($L$1)=4,$L$1&"",$L$1&" "))))
Sumproduct(array1,[array2]) behaves as an array formula without needed to be entered as one. Array formulas break down ranges and calculate them cell by cell (in this example we are using single rows so the formula will assess columns seperately).
(A4:G4*(MID($A$1:$G$1,2,4)=IF(LEN($J$1)=4,$J$1&"",$J$1&" ")))
Essentially I have broken the Sumproduct() formula into 3 identical parts - 1 for each search condition. (A4:G4*: Now, as the formula behaves like an array, we will multiply each individual cell by either 1 or 0 and add the results together.
1 is produced when the next part of the formula is true and 0 for when it is false (default numeric values for TRUE/FALSE).
(MID($A$1:$G$1,2,4)=IF(LEN($J$1)=4,$J$1&"",$J$1&" "))
MID(text,start_num,num_chars) is being used here to assess the 4 digits after the "/" and see whether they match with the number in the 3 cells that we are searching from (in this case the first one: J1). Again, as SUMPRODUCT() works very much like an array formula, each cell in the range will be assessed individually.
I have then used the IF(logical_test,[value_if_true],[value_if_false]) to check the length of the number that I am searching. As we are searching for a 4 digit text string, if the number is 4 digits then add nothing ("") to force it to a text string and if it is not (as it will have to be 3 digits) add 1 space to the end (" ") again forcing it to become a text string.
The formula will then perform the calculation like so:
The MID() formula produces the array: {"650 ","670 ","800 ","680 ","977 ","9999","143 "}. This combined with the first search produces {TRUE,FALSE,FALSE,FALSE,FALSE,FALSE,FALSE} which when multiplied by A4:G4
(remember 0 for false and 1 for true) produces this array: {250,0,0,0,0,0,0} essentially pulling the desired result ready to be summed together.
Formula 2: =SUM(IF(Array)): [This formula does not work for 3 digit numbers as they will exist within the 4 digit numbers! I have included it for educational purposes only]
=SUM(IF(ISNUMBER(SEARCH($J$1,$A$1:$G$1)),A8:G8),IF(ISNUMBER(SEARCH($K$1,$A$1:$G$1)),A8:G8),IF(ISNUMBER(SEARCH($L$1,$A$1:$G$1)),A8:G8))
The formula will need to be entered as an array (once copy and pasted while still in the formula bar hit CTRL+SHIFT+ENTER)
This formula works in a similar way, SUM() will add together the array values produced where IF(ISNUMBER(SEARCH() columns match the result column.
SEARCH() will return a number when it finds the exact characters in a cell which represents it's position in number of characters. By using ISNUMBER() I am avoiding having to do the whole MID() and IF(LEN()=4,""," ") I used in the previous formula as TRUE/FALSE will be produced when a match is found regardless of it's position or cell formatting.
As previously mentioned, this poses a problem as 999 can be found within 9999 etc.
The resulting array for the first part is: {250,FALSE,FALSE,FALSE,FALSE,FALSE,FALSE} (if you would like to see the array you can highlight that part of the formula and calculate with F9 but be sure to highlight the exact brackets for that part of the formula).
I hope I have explained this well, feel free to ask any questions about stuff that you don't understand. It is good to see people keen to learn and not just fishing for a fast answer. I would be more than happy to help and explain in more depth.
I start this solution with the names in an array, you can read the header names into an array with not too much difficulty.
Sub test()
Dim myArray(1 To 4) As String
myArray(1) = "/670 - White"
myArray(2) = "/650 - black"
myArray(3) = "/680 - Red"
myArray(4) = "/800 - Whitest"
For Each ArrayValue In myArray
'Find position of last character
endposition = InStr(1, ArrayValue, " - ", vbTextCompare)
'Grab the number section from the string, based on starting and ending positions
stringvalue = Mid(ArrayValue, 2, endposition - 2)
'Convert to number
NumberValue = CLng(stringvalue)
'Add to total
Total = Total + NumberValue
Next ArrayValue
'Print total
Debug.Print Total
End Sub
This will print the answer to the debug window.

Return a row number that matches multiple criteria in vbs excel

I need to be able to search my whole table for a row that matches multiple criteria. We use a program that outputs data in the form of a .csv file. It has rows that separate sets of data, each of these headers don't have any columns that are unique in of them self but if i searched the table for multiple values i should be able to pinpoint each header row. I know i can use Application.WorksheetFunction.Match to return a row on a single criteria but i need to search on two three or four criteria.
In pseudo-code it would be something like this:
Return row number were column A = bill & column B = Woods & column C = some other data
We need to work with arrays:
There are 2 kinds of arrays:
numeric {1,0,1,1,1,0,0,1}
boolean {TRUE,FALSE,TRUE,TRUE,TRUE,FALSE,FALSE,TRUE}
to convert between them we can use:
MATCH function
MATCH(1,{1,0,1,1,1,0,0,1},0) -> will result {TRUE,FALSE,TRUE,TRUE,TRUE,FALSE,FALSE,TRUE}
simple multiplication
{TRUE,FALSE,TRUE,TRUE,TRUE,FALSE,FALSE,TRUE}*{TRUE,FALSE,TRUE,TRUE,TRUE,FALSE,FALSE,TRUE} -> will result {1,0,1,1,1,0,0,1}
you can can check an array in the match function, entering it like in the picture below, be warned that MATCH function WILL TREAT AN ARRAY AS AN "OR" FUNCTION (one match will result in true
ie:
MATCH(1,{1,0,1,1,1,0,0,1},0)=TRUE
, YOU MUST CTR+SHIFT+ENTER !!! FOR IT TO GIVE AN ARRAY BACK!!!
in the example below i show that i want to sum the hours of all the employees except the admin per case
we have 2 options, the long simple way, the complicated fast way:
long simple way
D2=SUMPRODUCT(C2:C9,(A2=A2:A9)*("admin"<>B2:B9)) <<- SUMPRODUCT makes a multiplication
basically A1={2,3,11,3,2,4,5,6}*{0,1,1,0,0,0,0,0} (IT MUST BE A NUMERIC ARRAY TO THE RIGHT IN SUMPRODUCT!!!)
ie: A1=2*0+3*1+11*1+3*0+2*0+4*0+5*0+6*0
this causes a problem because if you drag the cell to autocomplete the rest of the cells, it will edit the lower and higher values of
ie: D9=SUMPRODUCT(C9:C16,(A9=A9:A16)*("admin"<>B9:B16)), which is out of bounds
same as the above if you have a table and want to view the results in a diferent order
the fast complicated way
D3=SUMPRODUCT(INDIRECT("c2:c9"),(A3=INDIRECT("a2:a9"))*("admin"<>INDIRECT("b2:b9")))
it's the same, except that INDIRECT was used on the cells that we want not be modified when autocompleting or table reorderings
be warned that INDIRECT sometimes give VOLATILE ERROR,i recommend not using it on a single cell or using it only once in an array
f* c* i cant post pictures :(
table is:
case emplyee hours totalHoursPerCaseWithoutAdmin
1 admin 2 14
1 him 3 14
1 her 11 14
2 him 3 5
2 her 2 5
3 you 4 10
3 admin 5 10
3 her 6 10
and for the functions to check the arrays, open the insert function button (it looks like and fx) then doubleclick MATCH and then if you enter inside the Lookup_array a value like
A2=A2:A9 for our example it will give {TRUE,TRUE,TRUE,FALSE,FALSE,FALSE,FALSE,FALSE} that is because only the first 3 lines are from case=1
Something like this?
Assuming that you data in in A1:C20
I am looking for "Bill" in A, "Woods" in B and "some other data" in C
Change as applicable
=IF(INDEX(A1:A20,MATCH("Bill",A1:A20,0),1)="Bill",IF(INDEX(B1:B20,MATCH("Woods",B1:B20,0),1)="Woods",IF(INDEX(C1:C20,MATCH("some other data",C1:C20,0),1)="some other data",MATCH("Bill",A1:A20,0),"Not Found")))
SNAPSHOT
I would use this array* formula (for three criteria):
=MATCH(1,((Range1=Criterion1)*(Range2=Criterion2)*(Range3=Criterion3)),0)
*commit with Ctrl+Shift+Enter

Find value in another table, return row index

I'm inexperienced in Excel functions and need some help with the following scenario:
Table I has 2 columns:
X Y
3.2 result
4.7 result
1.2 result
Table II has these columns:
A B C D
1 1.2 0.0 2.3
2 4.1 3.2 0.0
3 0.0 4.7 0.0
I will try to illustrate what I want to do in C++/C#/Java programming syntax:
In Y[1] I want to store:
foreach (int value in TableII) //look for X[1] in Table 2
if( value == X[1] ){ //when you find it,
return A[value.rowNumber]; //return the corresponding value from A
//break;
}
In other words, I want to find X[1] in table II (it will always be there, and always just once), and return the corresponding value from column A[of the same index as the match].
I've looked at HLOOKUP but there's more to it that just one command. Please help.
[EDIT]
I've tried this =INDEX(Column1,IFERROR(MATCH(I2,Column2,0),IFERROR(MATCH(I2,Column3,0),IFERROR(MATCH(I2,Column4,0),IFERROR(MATCH(I2,Column5,0),IFERROR(MATCH(I2,Column6,0),IFERROR(MATCH(I2,Column7,0),IFERROR(MATCH(I2,Column8,0),MATCH(I2,Column9,0)))))))))
But I get the "more levels of nesting than are allowed in the current file format" error. If I remove just one IFERROR(MATCH(I2,Column8,0), then it works. But I need Columns 2 to 9, with Column1 holding the index.
I thought Excel 2007 and 2010 do not have nesting limits any more. What gives?
(For anyone new to Excel reading this, "Column1" etc. are made by selecting the column, right clicking on the selection, and "Define Name".)
[EDIT2]
So I "solved" my nesting problem by dividing the formula into 2 parts, with a +, having the ifs return 0 in case there's no match in either side. This way you either have something + 0 or 0 + something, so it works.
Here's the formula I'm using right now:
=INDEX(Column1, IFERROR(MATCH(I3,Column2,0),IFERROR(MATCH(I3,Column3,0),IFERROR(MATCH(I3,Column4,0),IFERROR(MATCH(I3,Column5,0),IFERROR(MATCH(I3,Column6,0),IFERROR(MATCH(I3,Column7,0),0))))))
+
IFERROR(MATCH(I3,Column8,0),IFERROR(MATCH(I3,Column9,0),0))
)
I've accepted Chris' answer, as he did most of the work, but I would still like to know if my workaround is good practice and if there isn't a shorter/better way to do this.
Thank you.
Here's a possible formula for Y (assumes table I is located in columns G:H)
=INDEX($A:$A,IFERROR(MATCH(G2,$B:$B,0),IFERROR(MATCH(G2,$C:$C,0),MATCH(G2,$D:$D,0))))
Note the IsError function was introduced in Ecel 2007
If your tables are actually defined as excel tables you can use
=INDEX(Table2[Column1],IFERROR(MATCH([#X],Table2[Column2],0),IFERROR(MATCH([#X],Table2[Column3],0),MATCH([#X],Table2[Column4],0))))
(substitute your own table and column names)
If your values are unique, you can use the following formula without having to do any nesting:
=INDEX(column1,SUMPRODUCT((Table2=G24)*ROW(Table2)))

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