Find the first & subsequent cells to contain text in a column & re

On Thu, 26 Feb 2009 12:07:02 -0800, M wrote:

I have a column that contains empty cells and text. I want to return the row
reference of the cells that contain text. For example…

A2 = empty cell
A3 = empty cell
A4 = 2L
A5 = empty cell
A6 = 2W
A7 = empty cell
A8 = 2L2W
A9 = empty cell
A10 = empty cell
A11 = 2L2W
A12 = empty cell

The formula would return 4. Thanks to Luke I have…

{=MIN(IF(ISTEXT(A1:A12),ROW(A1:A12),FALSE))}

However I need to copy this formula down a column. The formula should return
4 then 6 then 8 then 11 etc. The blank cells are randomly placed. I can’t
sort the data as I have other equations in the sheet.

To add to this problem I need to repeat the row number if the original cell
contains 4 or more characters. So the formula should return 4 then 6 then 8
then 8 then 11 then 11 etc.

Thanks for your help.

Here's one way.

This formula must be **array-entered** in some row. Then fill down until you
start getting blanks.

"rng" refers to the range of interest. If you are using a version of Excel
prior to Excel 2007, rng cannot be an entire column (but could be
$A$1:$A$65535)

=IF(ISERR(ADDRESS(LARGE(ISTEXT(rng)*ROW(rng),
COUNTA(rng)+1-ROWS($1:1)),1,4)),"",ADDRESS(LARGE(
ISTEXT(rng)*ROW(rng),COUNTA(rng)+1-ROWS($1:1)),1,4))


To **array-enter** a formula, after entering
the formula into the cell or formula bar, hold down
ctrlshift while hitting enter. If you did this
correctly, Excel will place braces {...} around the formula.

Then Fill Down until you start getting blanks.
--ron

That doesn't repeat the 11.


--
Biff
Microsoft Excel MVP


"Luke M" wrote:

Hi M!

Use Biff's formula in C1 (or mine, if you prefer), and then in C2:
=IF(OR(C1="",C1=MAX(IF(ISTEXT($A$1:$A$12),ROW($A$1 :$A$12),FALSE))),"",IF(AND(LEN(INDEX($A$1:$A$12,C1 ))=4,COUNTIF($C$1:C1,C1)2),C1,MIN(IF(ISTEXT(OFFS ET($A$1,C1,0,ROWS($A$1:$A$12)-C1)),ROW(OFFSET($A$1,C1,0,ROWS($A$1:$A$12)-C1)),FALSE))))

Again, this is an array formula. Not a very elegant formula but it works.
Note that there are several callouts to $a$1:$a$12 which you will need to
adjust as necessary.

--
Best Regards,

Luke M
*Remember to click "yes" if this post helped you!*


"M" wrote:

Thanks for your help however is there a solution to include repeating the row
number if there is more than 4 characters??

I have just tried Biff's reply. I enter the formula as an array in 1 cell
and then copy it down. This correctly lists the row numbers but does not
repeat (see the last bit of my first post)

Thanks again.


"T. Valko" wrote:

You're welcome!

--
Biff
Microsoft Excel MVP


"Mike H" wrote:

Ah i see, I was happy to produce NUM errors with my formula when the matches
ran out but see this is tidier. Thank you.

Mike

"T. Valko" wrote:

=IF(ROWS(C$1:C1)=COUNTIF(A$1:A$12,"*"),

That's an error trap.

It's more efficient than:

=IF(ISERROR(SMALL(IF(ISTEXT(A$1:A$12),ROW(A$1:A$12 )),ROWS(C$1:C1))),

COUNTIF(A$1:A$12,"*")

Returns the total number of *text* entries in the range and compares that
number to number of rows the formula is copied to:

=IF(ROWS(C$1:C1)=COUNTIF(A$1:A$12,"*"),

If the number of rows the formula is copied to is greater than the total
number of text entries in the range then the formula returns a blank ("").
Otherwise, SMALL(...,n) would return a #NUM! error.

--
Biff
Microsoft Excel MVP


"Mike H" wrote:

Biff,

Just curious but what are you testing for in the first part of your formula,

=IF(ROWS(C$1:C1)=COUNTIF(A$1:A$12,"*"),

why not just

=SMALL(IF(ISTEXT(A$1:A$12),ROW(A$1:A$12)),ROWS(C$1 :C1))

what am I missing?

Mike

"T. Valko" wrote:

Assume you want the results starting in cell C1.

Try this array formula** entered in C1 and copied down until you get blanks:

=IF(ROWS(C$1:C1)=COUNTIF(A$1:A$12,"*"),SMALL(IF(I STEXT(A$1:A$12),ROW(A$1:A$12)),ROWS(C$1:C1)),"")

This assumes your *REAL* data range does in fact start on row 1. If it
doesn't start on row 1 then we'll need to make a slight adjustment.

** array formulas need to be entered using the key combination of
CTRL,SHIFT,ENTER (not just ENTER). Hold down both the CTRL key and the SHIFT
key then hit ENTER.

As for your "complication", I don't think that can be done with a single
formula. If it can I'd love to see it!

--
Biff
Microsoft Excel MVP


"M" wrote:

I have a column that contains empty cells and text. I want to return the row
reference of the cells that contain text. For example…

A2 = empty cell
A3 = empty cell
A4 = 2L
A5 = empty cell
A6 = 2W
A7 = empty cell
A8 = 2L2W
A9 = empty cell
A10 = empty cell
A11 = 2L2W
A12 = empty cell

The formula would return 4. Thanks to Luke I have…

{=MIN(IF(ISTEXT(A1:A12),ROW(A1:A12),FALSE))}

However I need to copy this formula down a column. The formula should return
4 then 6 then 8 then 11 etc. The blank cells are randomly placed. I can’t
sort the data as I have other equations in the sheet.

To add to this problem I need to repeat the row number if the original cell
contains 4 or more characters. So the formula should return 4 then 6 then 8
then 8 then 11 then 11 etc.

Thanks for your help.

On Thu, 26 Feb 2009 12:07:02 -0800, M wrote:

I have a column that contains empty cells and text. I want to return the row
reference of the cells that contain text. For example…

A2 = empty cell
A3 = empty cell
A4 = 2L
A5 = empty cell
A6 = 2W
A7 = empty cell
A8 = 2L2W
A9 = empty cell
A10 = empty cell
A11 = 2L2W
A12 = empty cell

The formula would return 4. Thanks to Luke I have…

{=MIN(IF(ISTEXT(A1:A12),ROW(A1:A12),FALSE))}

However I need to copy this formula down a column. The formula should return
4 then 6 then 8 then 11 etc. The blank cells are randomly placed. I can’t
sort the data as I have other equations in the sheet.

To add to this problem I need to repeat the row number if the original cell
contains 4 or more characters. So the formula should return 4 then 6 then 8
then 8 then 11 then 11 etc.

Thanks for your help.

I already posted a formula solution to your first problem. For your
complication, it is easiest done using a VBA solution.

To enter this Macro (Sub), alt-F11 opens the Visual Basic Editor.
Ensure your project is highlighted in the Project Explorer window.
Then, from the top menu, select Insert/Module and
paste the code below into the window that opens.

To use this Macro (Sub), alt-F8 opens the macro dialog box. Select the macro
by name, and RUN.

=====================================
Option Explicit
Sub TextAdr()
Dim c As Range
Dim rSrc As Range
Dim rDest As Range
Dim i As Long
Dim lNumEntries As Long
Dim lNumResults As Long

Set rSrc = Range("RNG")
lNumEntries = Application.WorksheetFunction.CountA(rSrc)

Set rDest = Range("C1")
lNumResults = lNumEntries
For Each c In rSrc
If Len(c.Value) = 4 Then
lNumResults = lNumResults + 1
End If
Next c

'clear destination cells +1
Range(rDest, rDest.Offset(lNumResults, 0)).ClearContents

'get addresses
i = 0
For Each c In rSrc
Select Case Len(c.Value)
Case Is = 4
rDest.Offset(i, 0).Value = c.Address
rDest.Offset(i + 1, 0).Value = c.Address
i = i + 2
Case Is 1
rDest.Offset(i, 0).Value = c.Address
i = i + 1
End Select
Next c
End Sub
===================================
--ron

Luke, this is very close to what I want but there are a couple of errors.
Unfortunately after a lot of head scratching I can’t alter it myself.

1)
When I replace all the references to the correct ones the formula returns a
“#REF!� error. I assume it is something to do with the offset but can’t work
it out.

Ref A1:A15 should be F37:F57.
This formula is entered into column M. My formula to find the first entry is
in row 87 and this formula starts in row 88 onwards

2)
If there are more then 4 characters in the last entry it does not repeat
(The repeat works fine as long as the last entry is less than 4 characters. I
am not sure if this can be solved or if I need to add a dummy entry that is
less than 4 characters??

Thanks again for your help. If there is a solution to the first point I can
start using the formula. Great!


"T. Valko" wrote:

That doesn't repeat the 11.


--
Biff
Microsoft Excel MVP


"Luke M" wrote:

Hi M!

Use Biff's formula in C1 (or mine, if you prefer), and then in C2:
=IF(OR(C1="",C1=MAX(IF(ISTEXT($A$1:$A$12),ROW($A$1 :$A$12),FALSE))),"",IF(AND(LEN(INDEX($A$1:$A$12,C1 ))=4,COUNTIF($C$1:C1,C1)2),C1,MIN(IF(ISTEXT(OFFS ET($A$1,C1,0,ROWS($A$1:$A$12)-C1)),ROW(OFFSET($A$1,C1,0,ROWS($A$1:$A$12)-C1)),FALSE))))

Again, this is an array formula. Not a very elegant formula but it works.
Note that there are several callouts to $a$1:$a$12 which you will need to
adjust as necessary.

--
Best Regards,

Luke M
*Remember to click "yes" if this post helped you!*


"M" wrote:

Thanks for your help however is there a solution to include repeating the row
number if there is more than 4 characters??

I have just tried Biff's reply. I enter the formula as an array in 1 cell
and then copy it down. This correctly lists the row numbers but does not
repeat (see the last bit of my first post)

Thanks again.


"T. Valko" wrote:

You're welcome!

--
Biff
Microsoft Excel MVP


"Mike H" wrote:

Ah i see, I was happy to produce NUM errors with my formula when the matches
ran out but see this is tidier. Thank you.

Mike

"T. Valko" wrote:

=IF(ROWS(C$1:C1)=COUNTIF(A$1:A$12,"*"),

That's an error trap.

It's more efficient than:

=IF(ISERROR(SMALL(IF(ISTEXT(A$1:A$12),ROW(A$1:A$12 )),ROWS(C$1:C1))),

COUNTIF(A$1:A$12,"*")

Returns the total number of *text* entries in the range and compares that
number to number of rows the formula is copied to:

=IF(ROWS(C$1:C1)=COUNTIF(A$1:A$12,"*"),

If the number of rows the formula is copied to is greater than the total
number of text entries in the range then the formula returns a blank ("").
Otherwise, SMALL(...,n) would return a #NUM! error.

--
Biff
Microsoft Excel MVP


"Mike H" wrote:

Biff,

Just curious but what are you testing for in the first part of your formula,

=IF(ROWS(C$1:C1)=COUNTIF(A$1:A$12,"*"),

why not just

=SMALL(IF(ISTEXT(A$1:A$12),ROW(A$1:A$12)),ROWS(C$1 :C1))

what am I missing?

Mike

"T. Valko" wrote:

Assume you want the results starting in cell C1.

Try this array formula** entered in C1 and copied down until you get blanks:

=IF(ROWS(C$1:C1)=COUNTIF(A$1:A$12,"*"),SMALL(IF(I STEXT(A$1:A$12),ROW(A$1:A$12)),ROWS(C$1:C1)),"")

This assumes your *REAL* data range does in fact start on row 1. If it
doesn't start on row 1 then we'll need to make a slight adjustment.

** array formulas need to be entered using the key combination of
CTRL,SHIFT,ENTER (not just ENTER). Hold down both the CTRL key and the SHIFT
key then hit ENTER.

As for your "complication", I don't think that can be done with a single
formula. If it can I'd love to see it!

--
Biff
Microsoft Excel MVP


"M" wrote:

I have a column that contains empty cells and text. I want to return the row
reference of the cells that contain text. For example…

A2 = empty cell
A3 = empty cell
A4 = 2L
A5 = empty cell
A6 = 2W
A7 = empty cell
A8 = 2L2W
A9 = empty cell
A10 = empty cell
A11 = 2L2W
A12 = empty cell

The formula would return 4. Thanks to Luke I have…

{=MIN(IF(ISTEXT(A1:A12),ROW(A1:A12),FALSE))}

However I need to copy this formula down a column. The formula should return
4 then 6 then 8 then 11 etc. The blank cells are randomly placed. I can’t
sort the data as I have other equations in the sheet.

To add to this problem I need to repeat the row number if the original cell
contains 4 or more characters. So the formula should return 4 then 6 then 8
then 8 then 11 then 11 etc.

Thanks for your help.

On Fri, 27 Feb 2009 01:36:02 -0800, M wrote:

Thanks for your help however is there a solution to include repeating the row
number if there is more than 4 characters??

I have just tried Biff's reply. I enter the formula as an array in 1 cell
and then copy it down. This correctly lists the row numbers but does not
repeat (see the last bit of my first post)

Thanks again.

Did you see my previously posted VBA solution to this problem of yours?
--ron

Hi Ron,

Yes I have noticed your post (thanks for your help) however I have never
used VBA so don’t feel I know what I am doing and secondly other people in
the office have to use this spreadsheet so I want to make it as simple as
possible – copying a formula down a column – it can’t get any simpler!

thanks again for your help anyway.


"Ron Rosenfeld" wrote:

On Fri, 27 Feb 2009 01:36:02 -0800, M wrote:

Thanks for your help however is there a solution to include repeating the row
number if there is more than 4 characters??

I have just tried Biff's reply. I enter the formula as an array in 1 cell
and then copy it down. This correctly lists the row numbers but does not
repeat (see the last bit of my first post)

Thanks again.

Did you see my previously posted VBA solution to this problem of yours?
--ron

On Mon, 2 Mar 2009 05:18:01 -0800, M wrote:

Hi Ron,

Yes I have noticed your post (thanks for your help) however I have never
used VBA so don’t feel I know what I am doing and secondly other people in
the office have to use this spreadsheet so I want to make it as simple as
possible – copying a formula down a column – it can’t get any simpler!

thanks again for your help anyway.

If you can't come up with a formula to do what you want, with the multiple
entries for size =4, take another look at what I posted and the instructions.

If implemented as intended, it will automatically update your first sheet
without any formula copying, button pushing, etc. The "trigger" to do the
update would be merely making an entry on sheet 2.
--ron

Hmm. One more attempt he
=IF(F87="","",IF(IF(AND(LEN(INDEX($F$1:$F$57,F87)) =4,COUNTIF($F$87:F87,F87)2),F87,MIN(IF(ISTEXT(OF FSET($F$1,F87,0,ROWS($F$1:$F$57)-F87)),ROW(OFFSET($F$1,F87,0,ROWS($F$1:$F$57)-F87)),FALSE)))=0,"",IF(AND(LEN(INDEX($F$1:$F$57,F8 7))=4,COUNTIF($F$87:F87,F87)2),F87,MIN(IF(ISTEXT (OFFSET($F$1,F87,0,ROWS($F$1:$F$57)-F87)),ROW(OFFSET($F$1,F87,0,ROWS($F$1:$F$57)-F87)),FALSE)))))

Again, an array formula. I tried to setup my sheet as you described, data is
in rows 37-57. Ron's VBA solution is probably more elegant, but at least now
if you want a formula answer, you have one.

I must admit, this was an interesting challenge.
--
Best Regards,

Luke M
*Remember to click "yes" if this post helped you!*


"M" wrote:

Luke, this is very close to what I want but there are a couple of errors.
Unfortunately after a lot of head scratching I can’t alter it myself.

1)
When I replace all the references to the correct ones the formula returns a
“#REF!� error. I assume it is something to do with the offset but can’t work
it out.

Ref A1:A15 should be F37:F57.
This formula is entered into column M. My formula to find the first entry is
in row 87 and this formula starts in row 88 onwards

2)
If there are more then 4 characters in the last entry it does not repeat
(The repeat works fine as long as the last entry is less than 4 characters. I
am not sure if this can be solved or if I need to add a dummy entry that is
less than 4 characters??

Thanks again for your help. If there is a solution to the first point I can
start using the formula. Great!


"T. Valko" wrote:

That doesn't repeat the 11.


--
Biff
Microsoft Excel MVP


"Luke M" wrote:

Hi M!

Use Biff's formula in C1 (or mine, if you prefer), and then in C2:
=IF(OR(C1="",C1=MAX(IF(ISTEXT($A$1:$A$12),ROW($A$1 :$A$12),FALSE))),"",IF(AND(LEN(INDEX($A$1:$A$12,C1 ))=4,COUNTIF($C$1:C1,C1)2),C1,MIN(IF(ISTEXT(OFFS ET($A$1,C1,0,ROWS($A$1:$A$12)-C1)),ROW(OFFSET($A$1,C1,0,ROWS($A$1:$A$12)-C1)),FALSE))))

Again, this is an array formula. Not a very elegant formula but it works.
Note that there are several callouts to $a$1:$a$12 which you will need to
adjust as necessary.

--
Best Regards,

Luke M
*Remember to click "yes" if this post helped you!*


"M" wrote:

Thanks for your help however is there a solution to include repeating the row
number if there is more than 4 characters??

I have just tried Biff's reply. I enter the formula as an array in 1 cell
and then copy it down. This correctly lists the row numbers but does not
repeat (see the last bit of my first post)

Thanks again.


"T. Valko" wrote:

You're welcome!

--
Biff
Microsoft Excel MVP


"Mike H" wrote:

Ah i see, I was happy to produce NUM errors with my formula when the matches
ran out but see this is tidier. Thank you.

Mike

"T. Valko" wrote:

=IF(ROWS(C$1:C1)=COUNTIF(A$1:A$12,"*"),

That's an error trap.

It's more efficient than:

=IF(ISERROR(SMALL(IF(ISTEXT(A$1:A$12),ROW(A$1:A$12 )),ROWS(C$1:C1))),

COUNTIF(A$1:A$12,"*")

Returns the total number of *text* entries in the range and compares that
number to number of rows the formula is copied to:

=IF(ROWS(C$1:C1)=COUNTIF(A$1:A$12,"*"),

If the number of rows the formula is copied to is greater than the total
number of text entries in the range then the formula returns a blank ("").
Otherwise, SMALL(...,n) would return a #NUM! error.

--
Biff
Microsoft Excel MVP


"Mike H" wrote:

Biff,

Just curious but what are you testing for in the first part of your formula,

=IF(ROWS(C$1:C1)=COUNTIF(A$1:A$12,"*"),

why not just

=SMALL(IF(ISTEXT(A$1:A$12),ROW(A$1:A$12)),ROWS(C$1 :C1))

what am I missing?

Mike

"T. Valko" wrote:

Assume you want the results starting in cell C1.

Try this array formula** entered in C1 and copied down until you get blanks:

=IF(ROWS(C$1:C1)=COUNTIF(A$1:A$12,"*"),SMALL(IF(I STEXT(A$1:A$12),ROW(A$1:A$12)),ROWS(C$1:C1)),"")

This assumes your *REAL* data range does in fact start on row 1. If it
doesn't start on row 1 then we'll need to make a slight adjustment.

** array formulas need to be entered using the key combination of
CTRL,SHIFT,ENTER (not just ENTER). Hold down both the CTRL key and the SHIFT
key then hit ENTER.

As for your "complication", I don't think that can be done with a single
formula. If it can I'd love to see it!

--
Biff
Microsoft Excel MVP


"M" wrote:

I have a column that contains empty cells and text. I want to return the row
reference of the cells that contain text. For example…

A2 = empty cell
A3 = empty cell
A4 = 2L
A5 = empty cell
A6 = 2W
A7 = empty cell
A8 = 2L2W
A9 = empty cell
A10 = empty cell
A11 = 2L2W
A12 = empty cell

The formula would return 4. Thanks to Luke I have…

{=MIN(IF(ISTEXT(A1:A12),ROW(A1:A12),FALSE))}

However I need to copy this formula down a column. The formula should return
4 then 6 then 8 then 11 etc. The blank cells are randomly placed. I can’t
sort the data as I have other equations in the sheet.

To add to this problem I need to repeat the row number if the original cell
contains 4 or more characters. So the formula should return 4 then 6 then 8
then 8 then 11 then 11 etc.

Thanks for your help.

Hi Luke, I really amazed today when I look at here your solution wondering
about my unresolved issue which is closer to it. I dont know if it is right
on my part to put the question in between this discusion.
The data base is like this example:-
A B C D E F H
Item Val1 Val2 Val3 Bus 2 Val2
Car 2 blank 5 Cycle 35
Bus 1 2 1 Horse 1
Train blank blank 3
Flight blank blank 1
Cycle 20 35 Blank
Horse Blank 1 2

if I type Val2 in H1 the formula in column F should return a nonblank list
and its corresponding row value from column from column A as shown above. The
formula in F should be able to guess and return nonblank values from columns
B or C or D based on the value in H1 which would be header name of these
columns! This is possible? Any question please revert back. Please help me.


"Luke M" wrote:

Hmm. One more attempt he
=IF(F87="","",IF(IF(AND(LEN(INDEX($F$1:$F$57,F87)) =4,COUNTIF($F$87:F87,F87)2),F87,MIN(IF(ISTEXT(OF FSET($F$1,F87,0,ROWS($F$1:$F$57)-F87)),ROW(OFFSET($F$1,F87,0,ROWS($F$1:$F$57)-F87)),FALSE)))=0,"",IF(AND(LEN(INDEX($F$1:$F$57,F8 7))=4,COUNTIF($F$87:F87,F87)2),F87,MIN(IF(ISTEXT (OFFSET($F$1,F87,0,ROWS($F$1:$F$57)-F87)),ROW(OFFSET($F$1,F87,0,ROWS($F$1:$F$57)-F87)),FALSE)))))

Again, an array formula. I tried to setup my sheet as you described, data is
in rows 37-57. Ron's VBA solution is probably more elegant, but at least now
if you want a formula answer, you have one.

I must admit, this was an interesting challenge.
--
Best Regards,

Luke M
*Remember to click "yes" if this post helped you!*


"M" wrote:

Luke, this is very close to what I want but there are a couple of errors.
Unfortunately after a lot of head scratching I can’t alter it myself.

1)
When I replace all the references to the correct ones the formula returns a
“#REF!� error. I assume it is something to do with the offset but can’t work
it out.

Ref A1:A15 should be F37:F57.
This formula is entered into column M. My formula to find the first entry is
in row 87 and this formula starts in row 88 onwards

2)
If there are more then 4 characters in the last entry it does not repeat
(The repeat works fine as long as the last entry is less than 4 characters. I
am not sure if this can be solved or if I need to add a dummy entry that is
less than 4 characters??

Thanks again for your help. If there is a solution to the first point I can
start using the formula. Great!


"T. Valko" wrote:

That doesn't repeat the 11.


--
Biff
Microsoft Excel MVP


"Luke M" wrote:

Hi M!

Use Biff's formula in C1 (or mine, if you prefer), and then in C2:
=IF(OR(C1="",C1=MAX(IF(ISTEXT($A$1:$A$12),ROW($A$1 :$A$12),FALSE))),"",IF(AND(LEN(INDEX($A$1:$A$12,C1 ))=4,COUNTIF($C$1:C1,C1)2),C1,MIN(IF(ISTEXT(OFFS ET($A$1,C1,0,ROWS($A$1:$A$12)-C1)),ROW(OFFSET($A$1,C1,0,ROWS($A$1:$A$12)-C1)),FALSE))))

Again, this is an array formula. Not a very elegant formula but it works.
Note that there are several callouts to $a$1:$a$12 which you will need to
adjust as necessary.

--
Best Regards,

Luke M
*Remember to click "yes" if this post helped you!*


"M" wrote:

Thanks for your help however is there a solution to include repeating the row
number if there is more than 4 characters??

I have just tried Biff's reply. I enter the formula as an array in 1 cell
and then copy it down. This correctly lists the row numbers but does not
repeat (see the last bit of my first post)

Thanks again.


"T. Valko" wrote:

You're welcome!

--
Biff
Microsoft Excel MVP


"Mike H" wrote:

Ah i see, I was happy to produce NUM errors with my formula when the matches
ran out but see this is tidier. Thank you.

Mike

"T. Valko" wrote:

=IF(ROWS(C$1:C1)=COUNTIF(A$1:A$12,"*"),

That's an error trap.

It's more efficient than:

=IF(ISERROR(SMALL(IF(ISTEXT(A$1:A$12),ROW(A$1:A$12 )),ROWS(C$1:C1))),

COUNTIF(A$1:A$12,"*")

Returns the total number of *text* entries in the range and compares that
number to number of rows the formula is copied to:

=IF(ROWS(C$1:C1)=COUNTIF(A$1:A$12,"*"),

If the number of rows the formula is copied to is greater than the total
number of text entries in the range then the formula returns a blank ("").
Otherwise, SMALL(...,n) would return a #NUM! error.

--
Biff
Microsoft Excel MVP


"Mike H" wrote:

Biff,

Just curious but what are you testing for in the first part of your formula,

=IF(ROWS(C$1:C1)=COUNTIF(A$1:A$12,"*"),

why not just

=SMALL(IF(ISTEXT(A$1:A$12),ROW(A$1:A$12)),ROWS(C$1 :C1))

what am I missing?

Mike

"T. Valko" wrote:

Assume you want the results starting in cell C1.

Try this array formula** entered in C1 and copied down until you get blanks:

=IF(ROWS(C$1:C1)=COUNTIF(A$1:A$12,"*"),SMALL(IF(I STEXT(A$1:A$12),ROW(A$1:A$12)),ROWS(C$1:C1)),"")

This assumes your *REAL* data range does in fact start on row 1. If it
doesn't start on row 1 then we'll need to make a slight adjustment.

** array formulas need to be entered using the key combination of
CTRL,SHIFT,ENTER (not just ENTER). Hold down both the CTRL key and the SHIFT
key then hit ENTER.

As for your "complication", I don't think that can be done with a single
formula. If it can I'd love to see it!

--
Biff
Microsoft Excel MVP


"M" wrote:

I have a column that contains empty cells and text. I want to return the row
reference of the cells that contain text. For example…

A2 = empty cell
A3 = empty cell
A4 = 2L
A5 = empty cell
A6 = 2W
A7 = empty cell
A8 = 2L2W
A9 = empty cell
A10 = empty cell
A11 = 2L2W
A12 = empty cell

The formula would return 4. Thanks to Luke I have…

{=MIN(IF(ISTEXT(A1:A12),ROW(A1:A12),FALSE))}

However I need to copy this formula down a column. The formula should return
4 then 6 then 8 then 11 etc. The blank cells are randomly placed. I can’t
sort the data as I have other equations in the sheet.

To add to this problem I need to repeat the row number if the original cell
contains 4 or more characters. So the formula should return 4 then 6 then 8
then 8 then 11 then 11 etc.

Thanks for your help.

Try this...

You're subject line says find TEXT but your data is numeric assuming "blank"
means empty/blank cells.

B11 = column headers Valx
B27 data you want to extract

H1 = Valx

Create this defined range name...
Goto the menu InsertNameDefine
Name: Table
Refers to: =$B$2:$D$7

Enter this formula in I1. It will return the count of records.

=COUNTA(INDEX(Table,,MATCH(H1,B11,0)))

Enter this array formula** in F1:

=IF(ROWS(F$1:F1)=I$1,INDEX(Table,SMALL(IF(INDEX(T able,,MATCH(H$1,B$1$1,0))"",ROW(Table)),ROWS(F $1:F1))-MIN(ROW(Table))+1,MATCH(H$1,B$1$1,0)),"")

** array formulas need to be entered using the key combination of
CTRL,SHIFT,ENTER (not just ENTER). Hold down both the CTRL key and the SHIFT
key then hit ENTER.

Copy down to a number of rows that is at least equal to the maximum count of
entries in any of your Val columns. For example, the Val column with the
maximum number of entries is Val3 with 5 entries. So, you'd have to copy the
formula down to at least 5 rows.

--
Biff
Microsoft Excel MVP


"Narnimar" wrote in message
...
Hi Luke, I really amazed today when I look at here your solution wondering
about my unresolved issue which is closer to it. I dont know if it is
right
on my part to put the question in between this discusion.
The data base is like this example:-
A B C D E F H
Item Val1 Val2 Val3 Bus 2 Val2
Car 2 blank 5 Cycle 35
Bus 1 2 1 Horse 1
Train blank blank 3
Flight blank blank 1
Cycle 20 35 Blank
Horse Blank 1 2

if I type Val2 in H1 the formula in column F should return a nonblank list
and its corresponding row value from column from column A as shown above.
The
formula in F should be able to guess and return nonblank values from
columns
B or C or D based on the value in H1 which would be header name of these
columns! This is possible? Any question please revert back. Please help
me.


"Luke M" wrote:

Hmm. One more attempt he
=IF(F87="","",IF(IF(AND(LEN(INDEX($F$1:$F$57,F87)) =4,COUNTIF($F$87:F87,F87)2),F87,MIN(IF(ISTEXT(OF FSET($F$1,F87,0,ROWS($F$1:$F$57)-F87)),ROW(OFFSET($F$1,F87,0,ROWS($F$1:$F$57)-F87)),FALSE)))=0,"",IF(AND(LEN(INDEX($F$1:$F$57,F8 7))=4,COUNTIF($F$87:F87,F87)2),F87,MIN(IF(ISTEXT (OFFSET($F$1,F87,0,ROWS($F$1:$F$57)-F87)),ROW(OFFSET($F$1,F87,0,ROWS($F$1:$F$57)-F87)),FALSE)))))

Again, an array formula. I tried to setup my sheet as you described, data
is
in rows 37-57. Ron's VBA solution is probably more elegant, but at least
now
if you want a formula answer, you have one.

I must admit, this was an interesting challenge.
--
Best Regards,

Luke M
*Remember to click "yes" if this post helped you!*


"M" wrote:

Luke, this is very close to what I want but there are a couple of
errors.
Unfortunately after a lot of head scratching I can't alter it myself.

1)
When I replace all the references to the correct ones the formula
returns a
"#REF!" error. I assume it is something to do with the offset but can't
work
it out.

Ref A1:A15 should be F37:F57.
This formula is entered into column M. My formula to find the first
entry is
in row 87 and this formula starts in row 88 onwards

2)
If there are more then 4 characters in the last entry it does not
repeat
(The repeat works fine as long as the last entry is less than 4
characters. I
am not sure if this can be solved or if I need to add a dummy entry
that is
less than 4 characters??

Thanks again for your help. If there is a solution to the first point I
can
start using the formula. Great!


"T. Valko" wrote:

That doesn't repeat the 11.


--
Biff
Microsoft Excel MVP


"Luke M" wrote:

Hi M!

Use Biff's formula in C1 (or mine, if you prefer), and then in C2:
=IF(OR(C1="",C1=MAX(IF(ISTEXT($A$1:$A$12),ROW($A$1 :$A$12),FALSE))),"",IF(AND(LEN(INDEX($A$1:$A$12,C1 ))=4,COUNTIF($C$1:C1,C1)2),C1,MIN(IF(ISTEXT(OFFS ET($A$1,C1,0,ROWS($A$1:$A$12)-C1)),ROW(OFFSET($A$1,C1,0,ROWS($A$1:$A$12)-C1)),FALSE))))

Again, this is an array formula. Not a very elegant formula but it
works.
Note that there are several callouts to $a$1:$a$12 which you will
need to
adjust as necessary.

--
Best Regards,

Luke M
*Remember to click "yes" if this post helped you!*


"M" wrote:

Thanks for your help however is there a solution to include
repeating the row
number if there is more than 4 characters??

I have just tried Biff's reply. I enter the formula as an array
in 1 cell
and then copy it down. This correctly lists the row numbers but
does not
repeat (see the last bit of my first post)

Thanks again.


"T. Valko" wrote:

You're welcome!

--
Biff
Microsoft Excel MVP


"Mike H" wrote:

Ah i see, I was happy to produce NUM errors with my formula
when the matches
ran out but see this is tidier. Thank you.

Mike

"T. Valko" wrote:

=IF(ROWS(C$1:C1)=COUNTIF(A$1:A$12,"*"),

That's an error trap.

It's more efficient than:

=IF(ISERROR(SMALL(IF(ISTEXT(A$1:A$12),ROW(A$1:A$12 )),ROWS(C$1:C1))),

COUNTIF(A$1:A$12,"*")

Returns the total number of *text* entries in the range and
compares that
number to number of rows the formula is copied to:

=IF(ROWS(C$1:C1)=COUNTIF(A$1:A$12,"*"),

If the number of rows the formula is copied to is greater
than the total
number of text entries in the range then the formula
returns a blank ("").
Otherwise, SMALL(...,n) would return a #NUM! error.

--
Biff
Microsoft Excel MVP


"Mike H" wrote:

Biff,

Just curious but what are you testing for in the first
part of your formula,

=IF(ROWS(C$1:C1)=COUNTIF(A$1:A$12,"*"),

why not just

=SMALL(IF(ISTEXT(A$1:A$12),ROW(A$1:A$12)),ROWS(C$1 :C1))

what am I missing?

Mike

"T. Valko" wrote:

Assume you want the results starting in cell C1.

Try this array formula** entered in C1 and copied down
until you get blanks:

=IF(ROWS(C$1:C1)=COUNTIF(A$1:A$12,"*"),SMALL(IF(I STEXT(A$1:A$12),ROW(A$1:A$12)),ROWS(C$1:C1)),"")

This assumes your *REAL* data range does in fact start
on row 1. If it
doesn't start on row 1 then we'll need to make a slight
adjustment.

** array formulas need to be entered using the key
combination of
CTRL,SHIFT,ENTER (not just ENTER). Hold down both the
CTRL key and the SHIFT
key then hit ENTER.

As for your "complication", I don't think that can be
done with a single
formula. If it can I'd love to see it!

--
Biff
Microsoft Excel MVP


"M" wrote:

I have a column that contains empty cells and text. I
want to return the row
reference of the cells that contain text. For
example.

A2 = empty cell
A3 = empty cell
A4 = 2L
A5 = empty cell
A6 = 2W
A7 = empty cell
A8 = 2L2W
A9 = empty cell
A10 = empty cell
A11 = 2L2W
A12 = empty cell

The formula would return 4. Thanks to Luke I have.

{=MIN(IF(ISTEXT(A1:A12),ROW(A1:A12),FALSE))}

However I need to copy this formula down a column.
The formula should return
4 then 6 then 8 then 11 etc. The blank cells are
randomly placed. I can't
sort the data as I have other equations in the sheet.

To add to this problem I need to repeat the row
number if the original cell
contains 4 or more characters. So the formula should
return 4 then 6 then 8
then 8 then 11 then 11 etc.

Thanks for your help.