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.
9 Responses to “Show forecast values in a different color with this simple trick [charting]”
While this works in a pinch, it clearly "lightens" the colors of the entire chart. Depending on where you use this, it will be blatantly obvious that you don't know what you are doing and present a poor looking graph.
Why not separate the data into different segments when charting and have as many colors as you have data points? You might have to create a new legend and/or repeat the chart in "invisible ink", but it would be cleaner and more consistent when new or updated data becomes available.
While I think I agree that doing it "properly" via a second series is preferable, I don't necessarily agree that making the entirety of the "future" (data, gridlines, and even the axis) semi-transparent is "poor looking". I think it could be seen as adding more emphasis to the "future-ness" of the forecast data.
In short, it's another tool for the toolbox, even if it's never needed.
Simply and clever 🙂
Quick & effective, cool. thanks.
I always use the dummy series.
Nice little trick, thanks very much!
Two sets of data better. Control is much better.
You can use the same chart next month to see what is actual and what is forecast.
To use this trick, I think grid lines has to be removed, that will make the graphic much more sharp.
to be honest, i dont understand why there is needed to do this way... in this case horizontal lines will be pale as well. then why a just can't change the color of the line partly???
Great tutorial. Thanks for the tutorial!