Two related sorting functions, SORT and SORTBY, replicate and extend Excel AutoFilter sorting functionality in formula form. The SORT function can be used to sort the contents of a range or array based on the values in that range or array, while the SORTBY function can be used to sort the contents of a range or array based on the values in the corresponding range or array, as illustrated here: By default, these functions will return multiple values, which will …
Category: Excel Functions
SUMIFS criteria: INDEX MATCH or XLOOKUP criteria
Using the SUMIFS function, we can sum all of the values in a defined column (or row) that meet one or more criteria. SUMIFS criteria can reference cells, contain values or text, contain logical tests, or contain formulas and functions. By nesting the INDEX MATCH combination or the XLOOKUP function as SUMIFS criteria, we can return values based on criteria that are not present in the table we are returning values from. Consider the following example: This table contains (repeating) …
SEQUENCE function
The SEQUENCE function generates a list of sequential numbers in an array. We can generate a list of sequential numbers in rows, columns, or both. By default, the SEQUENCE function will return multiple values, which will be placed in the neighboring cells (to the bottom and/or to the right). I.e., we are dealing with dynamic array formulas here. The syntax of the SEQUENCE function is as follows: =SEQUENCE ( rows ; [columns] ; [start] ; [step] ) Rows specifies …
FILTER function
The FILTER function replicates and extends Excel AutoFilter filtering functionality in formula form. The FILTER function allows us to filter a range of data based on defined criteria. By default, the FILTER function will return multiple values, which will be placed in the neighboring cells (to the bottom and/or to the right). I.e., we are dealing with dynamic array formulas here. The syntax of the FILTER function is as follows: = FILTER ( array ; include ; [if_empty] ) …
Lookup the 2nd, the 3rd, or the nth value
Both the MATCH function and the XLOOKUP function look only for the first (last) available match in the array. This is perfectly reasonable in most cases, as we are expecting to deal with unique identifiers when looking up data. However, sometimes we will have to look up the second, third, fourth, or nth value. Consider the following example: Our table contains a list of contract numbers in column B and contact email addresses in column A. Contract numbers are …
Lookup with multiple criteria
If we have to look up items in tables where we can’t use unique identifiers (there are no names located in a table column that contains data in all of the rows, and that data is non-repeating), we will probably have to resort to matching multiple criteria in multiple columns. Consider the following example: Each year, multiple game tournaments are held in repeating cities, organized by various repeating organizers. Items in the column City are not unique, nor are …
Combining SUMIFS with XLOOKUP
Using the SUMIFS function, we can sum all of the values in a defined column (or row) that meet one or more criteria. When SUMIFS is combined with XLOOKUP, that sum range doesn’t have to be defined anymore; it is now rather specified in the function arguments. By combining SUMIFS with XLOOKUP, we can then sum all of the values that meet multiple criteria in different rows and columns and do this in a simple way, avoiding complex and resource-intensive …
XLOOKUP function
We’ve previously covered how we can combine INDEX and MATCH functions in order to “look up” data. The XLOOKUP function works much the same way as the INDEX MATCH combination. It is intended to replace (still wildly used) legacy functions with outdated syntax and limited capabilities, such as VLOOKUP, HLOOKUP, and LOOKUP, while retaining accessibility. The XLOOKUP function searches a range or an array for a match and returns the corresponding item from a second range or array. The …
IFS function
We’ve previously covered how we can nest one or more IF functions inside the IF function. This enables us to perform multiple different actions depending on the tested condition, but it can also make the whole formula longer than necessary and hard to read/understand/correct. The IFS function can take the place of multiple nested IF statements and is, in principle, easier to read. The syntax of the IFS function is as follows: = IFS ( logical_test ; value_if_true ; …
IFERROR and IFNA functions
We’ve previously covered how we can nest the ISERROR function, the ISERR function, or the ISNA function inside the IF function in order to check for errors and perform appropriate actions if errors occur. While effective, this can make the whole formula longer than necessary and hard to read/understand/correct. The specialized IFERROR and IFNA functions with simpler syntax can take the place of the IF ISERROR and IF ISNA combinations. The IFERROR function checks whether the cell or formula …