Hello everyone. My name is Luke M, and I’ve been coming to Chandoo’s site for about a year now.
I love solving problems, and helping people out on the forums.
Due partly to Hui’s challenge about submitting articles, and 3G’s comment the other day about this particular formula, I decided to try my hand at writing an article.
I Hope it helps explain some cool Excel tricks that I like to use. 🙂
The Problem
Often, I see a request from an individual asking for a formula that will be able to generate a list based off of some criteria, with no spaces/blanks.
As Chandoo & Hui have often pointed out, there’s not much Excel can’t do if you know the right functions to use.
Today, we’ll take a look at how we can accomplish this particular task.
Suppose I want to be able to generate a list of all the Vegetables.
In cell E2, I put this array formula:
=IF(COUNTIF(A:A,$D$2) < ROWS($E$2:E2), “”, INDEX(B:B, SMALL( IF($A$2:$A$10 =$D$2, ROW( $A$2:$A$10)), ROW(A1))))
Remember, array formulas need to be confirmed using Ctrl+Shift+Enter, and will have curly brackets { } around the formula if done correctly.
I then copy the cell downward as far as I think will ever be necessary to display all the records (i.e. E7).
Lets Look Inside
Let’s take a closer look at how the formula works.
Front Half
First, let’s look at the IF function’s logic check.
=IF(COUNTIF(A:A,$D$2)<ROWS($E$2:E2),””, INDEX(B:B, SMALL( IF($A$2:$A$10 = $D$2, ROW($A$2:$A$10)), ROW(A1))))
We’re using the COUNTIF function to determine the total number of records that meet our criteria. We’re then comparing this to a ROWS function. The ROWS function simply returns the number of rows given in the argument. Note that the first part of the range callout uses an absolute reference and will not change, while the latter part is relative and will change as the formula is copied down. Thus, in the first cell, the ROWS function evaluates to 1. The next cell, it will evaluate to 2, then 3, and so on. So, the IF statement is checking to see if the number of records returned so far (i.e., formula used) is greater than the total number of possible records. If this is true, return a blank (i.e., “”).
Back Half
The latter half of the formula is where things get tricky.
For this part, let’s work our way from the inside out.
We start off with another IF function:
INDEX(B:B,SMALL(IF($A$2:$A$10=$D$2, ROW($B$2:$B$10)), ROW(A1))))
This section compares A2:A10 with our criteria given in cell D2. So, the array if A2:A10 starts off looking like this:
{Fruit, Fruit, Vegetable, Vegetable, Fruit, Vegetable, “”, “”, “”}
When we compare it with the criteria, it becomes this:
{False, False, True, True, False, True, False, False, False}
Looking at the return values in our IF function, we see that only a True result is stated, the ROW.
INDEX(B:B,SMALL(IF($A$2:$A$10=$D$2, ROW($A$2:$A$10)), ROW(A1))))
So, each True value from the array above will be replaced with the corresponding Row value.
This causes the array to become this:
{False, False, 4, 5, False, 7, False, False, False}
Now that we have a nice array with some numbers in it, this gets fed into the SMALL function.
INDEX(B:B,SMALL(IF($A$2:$A$10=$D$2, ROW($A$2:$A$10)), ROW(A1))))
The ROW function at the end will serve as a type of counter.
In E2, where we initially place the formula, this will evaluate to 1, thus telling the SMALL function to return the 1st smallest number.
In E3, it will evaluate to 2, and the SMALL function will return the 2nd smallest number, and so.
So, taking the 1st smallest number from our array, we get the number 4.
We then take this to the INDEX function
INDEX(B:B,SMALL(IF($A$2:$A$10=$D$2, ROW($A$2:$A$10)), ROW(A1))))
Note that we need to callout the entire column, since we are plugging in row numbers.
The 4th row in column B leads us to the value “Broccoli”.
The next formula will return the 5th row, “Spinach”.
The 3rd formula will return the 7th row, “Peas”.
This method can be adapted for use with multiple criteria. We would just need to expand the IF function logic checks so that only the correct rows are returned.
PS. If it gets too confusing, the first part of the formula can be omitted.
=IF(COUNTIF(A:A,$D$2)<ROWS($E$2:E2),””, INDEX(B:B, SMALL( IF($A$2:$A$10 = $D$2, ROW($A$2:$A$10)), ROW(A1))))
It is just there to hide any unwanted #NUM errors after all the pertinent records have been displayed.
EXTENSION
To see how this technique can be extended to use multiple criteria please read the follow up post at:
http://chandoo.org/wp/2014/11/10/formula-forensics-no-003b-lukes-reward-part-ii/
DOWNLOAD
You can download a copy of the above file and follow along, Download Here.
OTHER POSTS IN THIS SERIES
You can learn more about how to pull Excel Formulas apart in the following posts
Formula Forensic 001 – Tarun’s Problem
Formula Forensic 002 – Joyce’s Question
THANK-YOU and a CHALLENGE
Firstly a Congratulations to Luke M on taking up the challenge and on your First Post at Chandoo.org.
Thank-you for explaining to us all how this formula, which has appeared a number of times on the Chandoo.org Forums, works.
The contents of the Post are published as Luke submitted it with only minor formatting changes.
My Challenge to you is this:
If you have a neat formula that you would like to share and explain, try putting pen to paper and draft up a Post as Luke Did above.
If you have a formula that you would like explained but don’t want to write a post also send it in to Chandoo or Hui.
27 Responses to “How to Embed Youtube videos in to Excel Workbooks?”
Thank you!!
The trick is to get that URL for video. Some videos have this feature disabled... hmm...
very cool. how did you record what you do on Excel? it didn't seem like you was using a camcorders.
This is a great tip. Is it possible to insert a PDF on an excel worksheet? I usually receive quotations in pdf format, and would like to show the quote on a worksheet, rather than using hyperlinks. Any and all help would be greatly appreciated.
Your instructions didn't work for me, ether in Excel 2010 or 2007, and I tried several times, following the instructions very carefully and to the letter.
What I found out is that, for some odd reason, copying the YouTube URL then adding the ?fs=1&hl=en_US to the end would not work at all for me.
But if I went to the Embed code in YouTube and copied value parameter (minus quotes) and pasted it into the movie property, the movie would play. The Embed code value parameter includes the link and the extra bit you included at the end. No need to copy that as an extra step.
Best feedback on here. Worked like a charm after removing extra YT code. Thanks..
@Gregory,
Thanks your instructions.
I have carefully followed the Instructions mentioned by you and still i am unable to do embed the video in excel.
Please help and your immedate reply will be higly appreceiable.
Regards
Sonu Monga
A Chartered Accountant
If you are using excel 2010 or higher. then there is nothing like Shockwave flash player.
In that case you have to use windows media player.
There is a control naming Windows Media Player in that list.
Insert that contol and then open properties and insert link in URL.
It will work.
@Gregory,
Thanks your instructions.
I have carefully followed the Instructions mentioned by you and still i am unable to do embed the video in excel.
Please help and your immedate reply will be higly appreceiable.
Regards
Sonu Monga
Chartered Accountant
It wouldn't play because you need to indicate the exact location of flash file....by 'Embedding' the file, you get the the exact URL, so it can be played....some videos can't be 'embedded' that's why it won't work....
My developer tools does not list a control for "Shockwave flash object". Where/How do I find it?
Hi Chandoo,
why don't use OCX Window media player ???
you can play your own local video or music
just indicate exact location (Full path or URL)
i.e :
C:\Users\Public\Music\Sample Music\Kalimba.mp3
C:\Users\Public\Videos\Sample Videos\Wildlife.wmv
with macro and userform :
Sub PlayMedia()
On Error Resume Next
UserForm1.WindowsMediaPlayer1.URL = ThisWorkbook.Path & "/" & ActiveCell.Value
' ----- or
' ----- UserForm1.WindowsMediaPlayer1.URL = Exact location
End Sub
Very cool. I also could not get the instructions to work, but was able to use Gregory's suggestion about the embed code. Thanks for posting!
Thanks Chandoo. This is very cool. I was able to make it work using the embed code copying from http: up to _US as you indicated. This is a great way to provide additional training or message as you package your deliverable.
[...] Trying to become a bit flashier with your dashboards? Maybe you’re just looking to include additional material. Take a look at this quick tool to embed YouTube videos in excel workbooks. [...]
Hi Chandoo,
Excellent tip. Very useful.
Is there anyway to link the path in the properties to a cell value so that the user can select the video from a drop down and then have the video play?
Thanks Myles.... to link the path to a cell, I guess you need to use macros..
nothing happend in Embed Youtube videos in to Excel Workbooks, it shows only white blank screen.
Hi Chandoo, How Do I put more than one URL in movie field?
Hi Chandoo,
very good tip.
But how do I start the embeded video in an xlsm file once the tab is selected or through VBA programming?
Appreciating your answer
Steve
Query:
I have created 4 sheets excel file, but when i print this file to PDF it generates two sheets one PDF and two Sheets one PDF … can i know the setting which i had to change. because i want all 4 sheets in one PDF
while Printing i did setting as "Print Entire Workbook"
Awaiting for your reply.
Help!! THis works great, but I'm trying to use VBA to change the URL, which I can do. The problem I am having is getting it to play via VBA.
The object has both .play and .playing = true properties, but neither will actually play the video after updating the .movie url. The correct video appears within the object, but I can't get it to play from VBA... which I really need it to do.. Thoughts?
Hello
Go to Developerr tab and select more control then find windows media player just click it.
after that you have to right click on the embeded object and select properties there you need to add your video file path.(dont forget to include extension like .avi, .mov etc.) in URL field. Then Press Alt+11 and deselct design mode. Once you close the module your video start playing.....
For the life of me, I cannot get this to work. I have followed Chandoos instructions to the letter and also tried using the embed code as Gregory suggested, all I get is a blank white box where the video should be. Is there any other reason that this might not work? Flash version perhaps? Quite frustrating.
Hi I was wondering if was a way after adding a video if one could save to HTML format and it would work?
Hi Chandoo,
This is very helpful, however, is there a way to auto-play the embedded youtube video as soon as somebody opens the excel file? Can you share the macro for the same?
Hi,
Very cool, how is it possible to start automatically the video when the excel sheet is open?
I would like to start the video when i open the worksheet :).
Best regards.
Hello
When trying this method, I got Flash-embedded videos are no longer supported. Is there a solution for this problem?