Put this in C9

=MAX(IF(B6:B8<"",ROW(B6:B8)))

and in B9

=IF(C9=0,"",IF(ISNUMBER(MATCH(INDEX(B6:B8,C9-SUM(ROW(B6),-1)),{"IE","EMP","Y
OU","TOI"},0)),"pos",IF(ISNUMBER(MATCH(INDEX(B6:B8 ,C9-SUM(ROW(B6),-1)),{"UNM
","NUK"},0)),"neg","")))

both are array formulae, so commit with Ctrl-Shift-Enter, not just enter.

--

HTH

Bob Phillips

(remove nothere from the email address if mailing direct)

"stevem8435" wrote
in message ...

I have a small problem and I am new to excel. I have a number of
students who come to our school. We trace the course of thier progress
in a spreadsheet. When they leave we log the withdrawal date in cell
b5. The cells B6, B7 and B8 are used to record their employment result
on leaving, at 30 and 60 days. In cell B9 we display a result from the
most recent recording as a positive or negative result.

I need a function that I can place in B9 that looks at B5 and if its
empty does nothing. If it has a date in it, works from B8 - B6 looking
for an entry. The first entry it find produces a positive or negative
result. IE EMP, YOU or TOI in the cell would give a positive result,
UNM or NOK would give a Negative result and NRI nothing.

I then need to apply this function down the page as many times as
needed to evaluate other rows. Can anyone help me please?

Stevem


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