Count contiguous values
In column A, I have a long random list of two variables, "N/A" and the value 1. In column B I want to identify the number of contiguous occurrences of the value 1 before the next appearance of "N/A". I wonder if you could point me to the best way of achieving this please? Example below shows what I am after.Much appreciation for your excellent website,
DavidCol A Col B
N/A
N/A
1
1
1
1
1 5
N/A
1
1
1
1 4
N/A
N/A
1
1 2
N/A
N/A
N/A
1 1
Thanks, David.
The following formula looks for contiguous values, not only 1 and N/A.
Array formula in cell B3:
Read Rick Rothsteins's comment.
How to enter an array formula
- Select cell B3
- Paste above formula to formula bar
- Press and hold CTRL + SHIFT simultaneously
- Press Enter once
- Release all keys
Copy cell B3 and paste to cells below as far as needed.
If you want to learn more about array formulas join my Advanced excel course.
Download excel *.xlsx file
identify-the-number-of-contiguous-occurrences-of-a-value-david.xlsx
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4 Responses to “Count contiguous values”
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First off, you show your formula starting in cell B3... you need to adjust it so that it starts in cell B2, otherwise you will not show a 1 in cell B2 if cell A2 differs from cell A3.
Second, here is a much simpler, still array-entered, formula, placed in cell B2 and copied down, that appears to produce the same output as your formula...
=IF(A3<>A4,ROW()-MAX(IF(A$1:A2<>A3,ROW(A$1:A2))),"")
Sorry, I posted the wrong formula, plus it looks like the comment processor ate my less than greater than symbol. Here is the correct array-entered formula, rearrange to eliminate the display problem...
=IF(A2=A3,"",ROW()-MAX(IF(A$1:A1<>A2,ROW(A$1:A1))))
[email protected]! I missed that the comment processor ate a second less than, greater than symbols in my formula. Here now is the correct [b]array-entered[/b] formula (rearranged so that there are no less than, greater than symbols at all)..
=IF(A2=A3,"",ROW()-MAX(IF(A$1:A1=A2,,ROW(A$1:A1))))
Rick Rothstein (MVP - Excel),
Your formulas work fine, thanks. So much better and smaller than mine.
I am sorry for wordpress eating your less/greater than signs, I try to edit your comments as soon as I can.