Large spreadsheet with supplier quoted prices in columns F-Z (could increase)
with supplier names as headers in row one. About 300 rows of data entered.
Am using the following in column AA to capture the low bid while skipping
the blanks: {=MIN(IF(F2:Z20,F2:Z2))}
Am using the following in column AB to attempt to list the name of the low
bidder, drawing the name from row one header:
=INDEX($F$1:$Z$1,1,MATCH(AA2,F2:Z2))

Problem is that it returns a text answer, but not always the correct one.

MATCH takes an optional third argument indicating whether it requires an
exact match or a range match. The default, which you've gotten by omitting
that argument, is a range match. Give the following a shot:
=INDEX($F$1:$F$1,1,MATCH(AA2,F2:F2,FALSE))

"perplexed" wrote:

Large spreadsheet with supplier quoted prices in columns F-Z (could increase)
with supplier names as headers in row one. About 300 rows of data entered.
Am using the following in column AA to capture the low bid while skipping
the blanks: {=MIN(IF(F2:Z20,F2:Z2))}
Am using the following in column AB to attempt to list the name of the low
bidder, drawing the name from row one header:
=INDEX($F$1:$Z$1,1,MATCH(AA2,F2:Z2))

Problem is that it returns a text answer, but not always the correct one.

that worked beautifully when I opened up the array range to the right hand
limit of column Z. I will go back now and read the help on match to
understand WHY it works. Thanks.

"bpeltzer" wrote:

MATCH takes an optional third argument indicating whether it requires an
exact match or a range match. The default, which you've gotten by omitting
that argument, is a range match. Give the following a shot:
=INDEX($F$1:$F$1,1,MATCH(AA2,F2:F2,FALSE))

"perplexed" wrote:

Large spreadsheet with supplier quoted prices in columns F-Z (could increase)
with supplier names as headers in row one. About 300 rows of data entered.
Am using the following in column AA to capture the low bid while skipping
the blanks: {=MIN(IF(F2:Z20,F2:Z2))}
Am using the following in column AB to attempt to list the name of the low
bidder, drawing the name from row one header:
=INDEX($F$1:$Z$1,1,MATCH(AA2,F2:Z2))

Problem is that it returns a text answer, but not always the correct one.