Try this *array* formula in N2, if there is the possibility that the rows
might contain *other* data, in addition to the text "sold":

=IF(ISNA(MATCH("sold",B2:M2)),"",INDEX(B1:M1,MATCH (2,1/(B2:M2="sold"))))

--
Array formulas must be entered with CSE, <Ctrl <Shift <Enter, instead of
the regular <Enter, which will *automatically* enclose the formula in curly
brackets, which *cannot* be done manually.
You *must also* use CSE when revising the formula.

*After the CSE entry, copy down as needed.

--
HTH,

RD

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Please keep all correspondence within the NewsGroup, so all may benefit !
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"Mac" wrote in message
...
I have a problem I am trying to solve, which is hard to explain:

I have a spreadsheet that in row 1 starting in column B has the months:
Jan Feb Mar Apr ...........Dec (Columns B to M), in column N It has
"Last
start selling"

The cells below the month show when the items have been sold.... in Column
N. I would like a formula in Column N (Last Start Selling) which keeps
on
searching for the word Sold until the next column to the left is Blank.
The it stops and picks up the month from row 1 (this is the easy part...)


Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Last
start selling
Item1 Sold
Sold
Sold Oct
Item 2 Sold Sold
Sold Dec
Item 3 Sold SoldSold Sold
Jun

I hope this makes sense....

Thanks,
mac