Question: How do I create a unique distinct list from a column, sorted by occurance?

Answer:

Array formula in A17:

copied down as far as needed.

Formula in B17:

copied down as far as needed.

Named ranges
List (A2:A20)
What is named ranges?

How to customize the formula to your excel spreadsheet
Change the named ranges. If your unique list starts at F3, change A$16:$A16 in the above array formula to $F$2:F2

Download excel sample file for this tutorial.
Unique distinct list sorted based on occurrance in a column.xls
(Excel 97-2003 Workbook *.xls)

Functions in this article:

MATCH(lookup_value;lookup_array; [match_type]
Returns the relative position of an item in an array that matches a specified value

INDEX(array,row_num,[column_num])
Returns a value or reference of the cell at the intersection of a particular row and column, in a given range

IF(logical_test;[value_if:true];[value_if_false])
Checks whether a condition is met, and returns one value if TRUE, and another value if FALSE

ROW(reference) returns the rownumber of a reference

COUNTIF(range,criteria)
Counts the number of cells within a range that meet the given condition

MAX(number1,[number2],)
Returns the largest value in a set of values. Ignores logical values and text.

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