We know that using VLOOKUP, we can find a value corresponding to a given item. For example Sales of x. But what if you have multiple sales for each item and you want the last value?
Today lets understand how to find the last date of an activity, given data like this:
[Note: thanks to SDK who asked this question in a comment]
Like everything else in Excel, there are multiple ways to finding last date. If cats can use computers, they would hate Excel. You see, Excel is overflowing with unlimited ways to skin a cat.
Method 1: Using LOOKUP formula
Assuming the data is in range,
- Dates in $C$3:$F$3
- x marks in C4:F4
We can use =LOOKUP(“y”, C4:F4, $C$3:$F$3) to find the last date.
Why find y? Simple, since our data has “x” against date & name combinations, we just find the next letter (y). So LOOKUP formula stops looking after finding the last x. You see, LOOKUP formula assumes the list is sorted, so if it cannot find a match (in our case – y), it would return the closest match (ie, the last x).
Related: Comprehensive guide to Excel VLOOKUP & other LOOKUP formulas.
Method 2: Using MAX & SUMPRODUCT
I am like Gus Portokalos in My Big Fat Greek Wedding movie. SUMPRODUCT is my Windex. I use it for tough data, complex questions, sores, minor ailments & occasional car dents.
In this case, a formula like =SUMPRODUCT(MAX(($C$3:$F$3)*(C4:F4=”x”))) would do the job.
To be honest, just MAX(($C$3:$F$3)*(C4:F4=”x”)) would do too, but then you have to CTRL+Shift+Enter it.
How does it work? Since dates are just numbers, we take the dates & multiply them wherever there is x. So, it would be,
{41091,41092,41093,41094}*{TRUE,TRUE,FALSE,FALSE}
Which will be,
{41091,41092,0,0}
Then we find the maximum of this, which is 41092 (the number corresponding to 2-jul-2012).
Since this is an array operation, we can either CTRL+Shift+Enter it or wrap it inside SUMPRODUCT, like the G(r)eeks do. And that gives the answer.
More on this: Writing MAXIF formula in Excel, Introduction to SUMPRODUCT
Download Example Workbook
Click here to download example workbook. I have a bonus homework form you in there. Go ahead and solve it.
Your Homework
Time for a quiz. How would you find last date for a given name, if your data is like this?
Go ahead and share your answer.
30 Responses to “Great News: Chandoo becomes MVP”
Congratulations! It's well deserved. 🙂
This is amazing. Hearty congratulations and a rocking new year ahead!!!
Congrats! I have learnt alot from your site... and the most important is learning how to achieve the most with the simplest concepts.
Thanks for the excel calendar. Is it possible to get a simple big fonted calendar printable on an A4 size paper without any distracive notes or visuals? BTW, I have already signed up for your newsletter. With warm regards and
Gratefully yours
50+ year old CHarish.
Hey Chandoo,
Great to hear that. Congratulations! The best new year gift, I would say. Keep it up, u've been doing extraordinary work for the excel users community.
Regards,
Pankaj Verma
Congrats dude... fantastic news!
congratulations! your site is great, this is well deserved
Rich
I recently found your site, I visit many. The tips that you provide are in the top 1% of all the sites I visit. Keep on Excelling.
Arnold
South Africa
Congratulations, Chandoo! That's a great way to start the year and make the PHD even better.
Congratulations, Chandoo.
Your site is one of most useful on the net. Happy new year and lot of ideas you will present for us.
Congrats.
Just read your name in an email from Abhishek. Well deserved.
Congratulations, and Happy New Year.
Greetings from Rio de Janeiro my friend! You trully deserve it!
Nive way to start 2009! Keep up the good work!
FC
That was quite forseeable , so you have now really got your PhD in excel.
Anyways Chandoo you have made excel a real Fun doo
I will like you to write some more on INDEX and MATCH function in near future.
@Hey Chandoo ! Congrates....
Ab to treat mangta hai !
Well deserved Chandoo!!
Congrat's!! Very well deserved 🙂
i always browsed mr.excel and used to see MVP writtne below names of people who used to solve queries in excel forum there......i just used to admire as to what they have special in them that they are MVP......
but now i got my answer...............u deserve it man..........
@All: thanks everyone 🙂
Congratulations Chandoo, nice job!
Chandoo,
A well deserved recognition and a good start to the New Year. Continue your good work.
Subbu
Many Congratulations.
You deserve a Ph.D. 🙂
congrats.....
Congrats dude. Rock on!
[...] charting community in 2007 and has been growing strongly ever since. In year 2009, I have received the MVP award from Microsoft. Just few days back I have become a dad [...]
Respected sir,
I am impressed!.... Good job done.. Keep it up...
Sir, How to be a MVP certified person. What level of knowledge is required for it? send me links if possible.
Please reply...
Regards,
Dipak Khalasi.
Dipak -
The first thing you need to cultivate is the ability to search the web effectively. You could start by Googling "Microsoft MVP".
[...] boy and girl which has been made hectic and incredibly fun ever since to their life.He has been awarded MVP status in 2009 by Microsoft(and renewed in 2010,2011 & 2012).His MVP profile is here.If you want to contact him direct then [...]
Congrats Chandoo!!
[…] Chandoo becomes MVP […]