Why would a MATCH formula not work?

[Kamarlon]

The table looks like this:

A B

1 Quarter Actual

2 Q1 1,677,106.7

3 Q2 1,914,202.2

4 Q3 1,231,181.3

5 Q4 1,563,159.6


I then ask excel to give me the minimum value using : MIN(B2:B5). The answer is in cell B11


I then want excel to tell me the corresponding quarter for that figure: =OFFSET(A1,MATCH(B11,B2:B5),0)


The problem is I get a N/A, I realize the problem is with the MATCH formula.


So I want to know based on your personal experience what are the possible reasons for the MATCH formula not working?


See file here:

https://skydrive.live.com/?cid=16d0ed9ee1cb5b75#!/view.aspx?cid=16D0ED9EE1CB5B75&resid=16D0ED9EE1CB5B75!105

 

[keymaster]

@Kamarlon... try this. It should work.


=INDEX(A2:A5,MATCH(B11,B2:B5,0))


Your original Match formula is missing the third argument. Also, I personally prefer INDEX in cases like this.


More on INDEX+MATCH here: http://chandoo.org/wp/2010/11/02/how-to-lookup-values-to-left/

 

[Kamarlon]

Wow! Works, beautifully. I didn't know about the INDEX formula. Thanks Chandoo.