I have a table that contains names in b3:b19, and corresponding dates in
c3:c19. These dates are calculated, and change on a quarterly basis, and
there are often duplicate dates. The table is sorted by the names in column
B.

Hi,
This may be too simple, but what about temporarily sorting the data by the
date column. That would give you the three names at the top of the names
list. Then sort again by name to restore the data as it was.
Otherwise:
If your three cells that display the upcoming dates are in C24:C26, then in
B24 enter:
=INDEX($B$3:$B$19,MATCH(C24,$C$3:$C$19,0))
and copy down.

Regards - Dave.

Thanks, Dave, but I'm trying to put this pull this data into another file,
and would rather not sort the data.

As far as the formula you supplied, if I'm reading it right, it assumes that
I know what the next 3 dates are, but I don't. I just need the the next 3,
whatever they are.

Thanks, though, for your reply.

Mary

Sorry, I thought you knew the next three dates using =SMALL(C3:C19,{1;2;3}).
In this case, array entered into C24:C26
Regards - Dave

I'm sorry, you were right! I wasn't thinking, I can use the array formula to
get the next three dates. But my problem is that the dates may repeat. For
example, the next 3 items on my list have the due dates of 6/21, 6/28 and
6/28. So I get the 2 names fine, but instead of getting the third name, I
get the second name again.

I'm confusing myself. Here's a simplified version:

Col A Col B
Anne 7/11
Barb 7/18
Carl 6/28
Doug 7/4
Enid 6/21
Fred 8/30
Greg 6/28

I need to get a list that says "Enid: 6/21, Carl: 6/28, Greg: 6:28".

(Not necessarily in that format, of course!)

When I used your formula, I get "Enid: 6/21, Carl: 6/28, Carl: 6:28".

Hope this is more clear, and I do thank you!

Ah yes, I see that. Not sure how to proceed at present. With so many posts to
this thread, you may need to post again in a new one.
Regards - Dave.

"magdiego" wrote:

I'm sorry, you were right! I wasn't thinking, I can use the array formula to
get the next three dates. But my problem is that the dates may repeat. For
example, the next 3 items on my list have the due dates of 6/21, 6/28 and
6/28. So I get the 2 names fine, but instead of getting the third name, I
get the second name again.

I'm confusing myself. Here's a simplified version:

Col A Col B
Anne 7/11
Barb 7/18
Carl 6/28
Doug 7/4
Enid 6/21
Fred 8/30
Greg 6/28

I need to get a list that says "Enid: 6/21, Carl: 6/28, Greg: 6:28".

(Not necessarily in that format, of course!)

When I used your formula, I get "Enid: 6/21, Carl: 6/28, Carl: 6:28".

Hope this is more clear, and I do thank you!

Hi, I've been thinking - yeah, I know...

In each of three cells, enter:
=INDEX($B$3:$B$19,MATCH(SMALL($C$3:$C$19,1),$C$3:$ C$19,0))
=INDEX($B$3:$B$19,MATCH(SMALL($C$3:$C$19,2),$C$3:$ C$19,0))
=INDEX($B$3:$B$19,MATCH(SMALL($C$3:$C$19,3),$C$3:$ C$19,0))

It seemed to work when I tested it.

Regards - Dave.