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#1
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Find the first cell to contain text in a column
I have a column that contains empty cells and text. I want to return the
reference of the first cell in the column to contain text. For example A2 = empty cell A3 = empty cell A4 = 2L The formula would return A4 Thanks for your help |
#2
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Find the first cell to contain text in a column
Input this as an array (use Ctrl+Shift+Enter to confirm):
=ADDRESS(MIN(IF(ISTEXT(A2:A4),ROW(A2:A4),FALSE)),C OLUMN(A2),4) -- Best Regards, Luke M *Remember to click "yes" if this post helped you!* "M" wrote: I have a column that contains empty cells and text. I want to return the reference of the first cell in the column to contain text. For example A2 = empty cell A3 = empty cell A4 = 2L The formula would return A4 Thanks for your help |
#3
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Find the first cell to contain text in a column
Thanks luke This works
Is it posible to explain how? Thanks again "Luke M" wrote: Input this as an array (use Ctrl+Shift+Enter to confirm): =ADDRESS(MIN(IF(ISTEXT(A2:A4),ROW(A2:A4),FALSE)),C OLUMN(A2),4) -- Best Regards, Luke M *Remember to click "yes" if this post helped you!* "M" wrote: I have a column that contains empty cells and text. I want to return the reference of the first cell in the column to contain text. For example A2 = empty cell A3 = empty cell A4 = 2L The formula would return A4 Thanks for your help |
#4
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Find the first cell to contain text in a column
Also why do you have to use ctrl+shift+enter? I notice that this add {} to
either end but can't find out why?? "Luke M" wrote: Input this as an array (use Ctrl+Shift+Enter to confirm): =ADDRESS(MIN(IF(ISTEXT(A2:A4),ROW(A2:A4),FALSE)),C OLUMN(A2),4) -- Best Regards, Luke M *Remember to click "yes" if this post helped you!* "M" wrote: I have a column that contains empty cells and text. I want to return the reference of the first cell in the column to contain text. For example A2 = empty cell A3 = empty cell A4 = 2L The formula would return A4 Thanks for your help |
#5
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Find the first cell to contain text in a column
Ctrl + Shift + Enter is how an array function is entered in to a workbook.
For a really clear and useful explanation of arrays I would suggest the following web site maintained by Chip Pearson an Excel MS MVP: http://www.cpearson.com/excel/ArrayFormulas.aspx I would also recommend that you peruse the Table of Contents on this site as it has a treasure trove of information and how-to articles. Hope this helps. -- Kevin Backmann "M" wrote: Also why do you have to use ctrl+shift+enter? I notice that this add {} to either end but can't find out why?? "Luke M" wrote: Input this as an array (use Ctrl+Shift+Enter to confirm): =ADDRESS(MIN(IF(ISTEXT(A2:A4),ROW(A2:A4),FALSE)),C OLUMN(A2),4) -- Best Regards, Luke M *Remember to click "yes" if this post helped you!* "M" wrote: I have a column that contains empty cells and text. I want to return the reference of the first cell in the column to contain text. For example A2 = empty cell A3 = empty cell A4 = 2L The formula would return A4 Thanks for your help |
#6
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Find the first cell to contain text in a column
It looks like Luke has gone so I'll explain how the formula works
first consider the formula to be in 3 parts and I've put a | in to show the division between those parts =ADDRESS(MIN(IF(ISTEXT(A2:A4),ROW(A2:A4),FALSE))|, COLUMN(A2)|,4) which translates as address(find the row,find the column,type of reference) find the row IF(ISTEXT(A2:A4),ROW(A2:A4),FALSE) because it is array entered using CTRL+Shift +Enter this part of the formula examines very row in the range of 4 cells and returns an array of row numbers IF the row contains text. If all the cells contained text it would return 2;3;4 if only rows 2 and 4 contained text it would return 2;FALSE;4 we asked the formula to return the MIN of these so we now have a 2 for the row The next part find the column COLUMN(A2) A2 is in column 1 so we now have the column and the formula is now effectively =address(2,1,4) - put that in a cell and see what it returns the number 4 means relative so the formula returns A2 change the 4 to a 1 and it would return $A$4 Mike "M" wrote: Also why do you have to use ctrl+shift+enter? I notice that this add {} to either end but can't find out why?? "Luke M" wrote: Input this as an array (use Ctrl+Shift+Enter to confirm): =ADDRESS(MIN(IF(ISTEXT(A2:A4),ROW(A2:A4),FALSE)),C OLUMN(A2),4) -- Best Regards, Luke M *Remember to click "yes" if this post helped you!* "M" wrote: I have a column that contains empty cells and text. I want to return the reference of the first cell in the column to contain text. For example A2 = empty cell A3 = empty cell A4 = 2L The formula would return A4 Thanks for your help |
#7
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Find the first cell to contain text in a column
I have a column that contains empty cells and text.
Try this: =ADDRESS(MATCH("*",A:A,0),1,4) -- Biff Microsoft Excel MVP "M" wrote: I have a column that contains empty cells and text. I want to return the reference of the first cell in the column to contain text. For example A2 = empty cell A3 = empty cell A4 = 2L The formula would return A4 Thanks for your help |
#8
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Find the first cell to contain text in a column
On Thu, 26 Feb 2009 10:01:05 -0800, M wrote:
I have a column that contains empty cells and text. I want to return the reference of the first cell in the column to contain text. For example A2 = empty cell A3 = empty cell A4 = 2L The formula would return A4 Thanks for your help This formula must be **array-entered** =ADDRESS(MATCH(TRUE,ISTEXT(A:A),0),1,4) To **array-enter** a formula, after entering the formula into the cell or formula bar, hold down <ctrl<shift while hitting <enter. If you did this correctly, Excel will place braces {...} around the formula. --ron |
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