Excel OfficeExcel comes with multiple Lookup and Reference functions that let you find matching values. The Lookup and Reference functions help you to work with arrays of data, and are particularly useful when you need to cross reference between different data sets
To do a two-way lookup in an Excel Table, you can use the MATCH function with a structured reference and VLOOKUP. See example below: Recall that VLOOKUP depends on the lookup value being to the left of the value being retrieved in a table. Generally, this means the lookup value will be the first value in the table…. read more »
If you need to count the number of rows in a range, use the ROWS function. The ROWS counts the number of rows in the supplied range and returns that number as the result. See illustration below: Formula =ROWS(range) Explanation In the example, the active cell contains this formula: =ROWS(B4:C9)
You can get the last row in a range with a formula based on the ROW function. See example below; Formula =MIN(ROW(range))+ROWS(range)-1 Explanation In the example shown, the formula in cell F5 is: =MIN(ROW(data))+ROWS(data)-1 where data is a named range for B5:D10 How this formula works When given a single cell reference, the ROW function… read more »
To get the last relative position (i.e. last row, last column) for text data (with or without empty cells), you can use the MATCH function. See example below: Formula =MATCH(bigtext,range) Explanation In the example shown, the formula in E5 is: =MATCH(REPT(“z”,255),B4:B11) How this formula works This formula uses the MATCH function in approximate match mode to locate… read more »
To get the last relative position (i.e. last row, last column) for numeric data (with or without empty cells), you can use the MATCH function with a so called “big number”. see example below: Formula =MATCH(bignum,range) Explanation In the example shown, the formula in E5 is: =MATCH(9.99E+307,B4:B9) Last *relative* position, not row on worksheet When… read more »
To get the last relative position (i.e. last row, last column) for mixed data that may contain empty cells, you can use the MATCH function as described below. Note: this is an array formula and must be entered with Control+Shift+Enter. Formula {=MATCH(2,1/(range<>””))} Explanation In the example shown, the formula in E5 is: {=MATCH(2,1/(B4:B10<>””))} Last *relative*… read more »
You can get the last column in a range with a formula based on the COLUMN function. See example below: Formula =MIN(COLUMN(range))+COLUMNS(range)-1 Note: When given a single cell reference, the COLUMN function returns the column number for that reference. However, when given a range that contains multiple columns, the COLUMN function will return an array… read more »
To get a full set of relative row numbers in a range, you can use an array formula based on the ROW function. See example below; Formula {=ROW(range)-ROW(range.firstcell)+1} Note: this is an array formula that must be entered with Control + Shift + Enter. If you’re entering this on the worksheet (and not inside another formula), make… read more »
This tutorial shows how to get a full set of relative column numbers in a range using an array formula based on the COLUMN function. Formula {=COLUMN(range)-COLUMN(range.firstcell)+1} On the worksheet, this must be entered as multi-cell array formula using Control + Shift + Enter This is a robust formula that will continue to generate relative numbers… read more »
To get the address of the first cell in a named range, you can use the ADDRESS function together with ROW and COLUMN functions. Formula =ADDRESS(ROW(range)+ROWS(range)-1,COLUMN(range)+COLUMNS(range)-1) Explanation In the example shown, the formula in G6 is: =ADDRESS(ROW(data)+ROWS(data)-1,COLUMN(data)+COLUMNS(data)-1) How this formula works The ADDRESS function builds an address based on a row and column number. Working… read more »