Here's some thoughts for the 2nd Q in your post, ie a simple play to
dynamically extract col Y's interspersed results directly into col AG, all
neatly bunched at the top as desired

In AF2: =IF(Y2="","",ROW())
Leave AF1 empty

In AG2:
=IF(ROWS($1:1)COUNT(AF:AF),"",INDEX(Y:Y,SMALL(AF: AF,ROWS($1:1))))
Select AF2:AG2, copy down to cover the max expected extent of col Y, say
down to AG200? AG2 will return the required results from col Y, all neatly
packed at the top. Minimize/hide away col AF.
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Max
Singapore
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xdemechanik
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