Filter unique distinct values based on a date range
Table of Contents
1. Filter unique distinct values based on a date range
The image above shows a formula in cell E6 that extracts unique distinct values if the corresponding dates match the date range specified in cells F2 and F3.
The date range is specified in cell G1 and G2, see image above.
Array formula in cell D2:
1.1 How to enter an array formula
To enter an array formula, type the formula in a cell then press and hold CTRL + SHIFT simultaneously, now press Enter once. Release all keys.
The formula bar now shows the formula with a beginning and ending curly bracket telling you that you entered the formula successfully. Don't enter the curly brackets yourself.
1.2 Explaining the formula in cell D2
Step 1 - Which dates are later than or equal to the start date?
The less than sign and equal sign are logical operators, they allow you to compare numbers and text strings. The result are boolean values and is either TRUE or FALSE.
$F$3>=$C$3:$C$18
becomes
44581>={44573; 44588; 44566; 44584; 44565; 44578; 44580; 44579; 44588; 44584; 44588; 44569; 44588; 44580; 44577; 44571}
and returns
{TRUE; FALSE; TRUE; FALSE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; FALSE; FALSE; FALSE; TRUE; FALSE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE}.
Step 2 - Which dates are earlier than or equal to the end date?
$F$2<=$C$3:$C$18
becomes
44571<={44573; 44588; 44566; 44584; 44565; 44578; 44580; 44579; 44588; 44584; 44588; 44569; 44588; 44580; 44577; 44571}
and returns
{TRUE; TRUE; FALSE; TRUE; FALSE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; FALSE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE}.
Step 3 - AND logic
We need to identify dates that meet both conditions, we can do that by multiplying the arrays. The parentheses allow us to control the order of operation.
($F$3>=$C$3:$C$18)*($F$2<=$C$3:$C$18)
becomes
{TRUE; FALSE; TRUE; FALSE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; FALSE; FALSE; FALSE; TRUE; FALSE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE}*{TRUE; TRUE; FALSE; TRUE; FALSE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; FALSE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE}
and returns
{1; 0; 0; 0; 0; 1; 1; 1; 0; 0; 0; 0; 0; 1; 1; 1}.
Step 4 - Replace 1 with the corresponding number on the same row
The IF function returns one value if the logical test is TRUE and another value if the logical test is FALSE.
IF(logical_test, [value_if_true], [value_if_false])
IF(($F$3>=$C$3:$C$18)*($F$2<=$C$3:$C$18), $B$3:$B$18, $E$5)
becomes
IF({1; 0; 0; 0; 0; 1; 1; 1; 0; 0; 0; 0; 0; 1; 1; 1}, $B$3:$B$18, $E$5)
becomes
IF({1; 0; 0; 0; 0; 1; 1; 1; 0; 0; 0; 0; 0; 1; 1; 1}, {12; 77; 42; 12; 19; 77; 17; 7; 12; 19; 11; 17; 2; 12; 12; 77}, "Unique distinct values")
and returns
{12; "Unique distinct values"; "Unique distinct values"; "Unique distinct values"; "Unique distinct values"; 77; 17; 7; "Unique distinct values"; "Unique distinct values"; "Unique distinct values"; "Unique distinct values"; "Unique distinct values"; 12; 12; 77}.
Step 5 - Count previous displayed values
The COUNTIF function calculates the number of cells that is equal to a condition.
COUNTIF(range, criteria)
COUNTIF($E$5:E5, IF(($F$3>=$C$3:$C$18)*($F$2<=$C$3:$C$18), $B$3:$B$18, $E$5))
becomes
COUNTIF($E$5:E5, {12; "Unique distinct values"; "Unique distinct values"; "Unique distinct values"; "Unique distinct values"; 77; 17; 7; "Unique distinct values"; "Unique distinct values"; "Unique distinct values"; "Unique distinct values"; "Unique distinct values"; 12; 12; 77})
becomes
COUNTIF("Unique distinct values", {12; "Unique distinct values"; "Unique distinct values"; "Unique distinct values"; "Unique distinct values"; 77; 17; 7; "Unique distinct values"; "Unique distinct values"; "Unique distinct values"; "Unique distinct values"; "Unique distinct values"; 12; 12; 77})
and returns
{0; 1; 1; 1; 1; 0; 0; 0; 1; 1; 1; 1; 1; 0; 0; 0}.
Step 6 - Find first not displayed values in array
The MATCH function returns the relative position of an item in an array or cell reference that matches a specified value in a specific order.
MATCH(lookup_value, lookup_array, [match_type])
MATCH(0,COUNTIF($E$5:E5, IF(($F$3>=$C$3:$C$18)*($F$2<=$C$3:$C$18), $B$3:$B$18, $E$5)), 0)
becomes
MATCH(0,{0; 1; 1; 1; 1; 0; 0; 0; 1; 1; 1; 1; 1; 0; 0; 0}, 0)
and returns 1.
Step 7 - Get value
The INDEX function returns a value from a cell range, you specify which value based on a row and column number.
INDEX(array, [row_num], [column_num], [area_num])
INDEX($B$3:$B$18, MATCH(0,COUNTIF($E$5:E5, IF(($F$3>=$C$3:$C$18)*($F$2<=$C$3:$C$18), $B$3:$B$18, $E$5)), 0))
becomes
INDEX($B$3:$B$18, 1)
and returns 12 in cell E6.
Step 8 - Remove error values
The IFERROR function handles error values which the formula returns when no more values can be displayed.
IFERROR(INDEX($B$3:$B$18, MATCH(0,COUNTIF($E$5:E5, IF(($F$3>=$C$3:$C$18)*($F$2<=$C$3:$C$18), $B$3:$B$18, $E$5)), 0)), "")
2. Filter unique distinct values based on a date range (Excel 365)
Dynamic array formula in cell E6:
2.1 How to enter a dynamic array formula
The dynamic array formula is a new feature in Excel 365, you enter it as a regular formula.
2.2 Explaining dynamic array formula
Step 1 - Find dates earlier than or equal to end date
The less than sign and equal sign are logical operators, they allow you to compare numbers and text strings. The result is boolean values and the result is either TRUE or FALSE.
C3:C18<=F3
becomes
{44573; 44588; 44566; 44584; 44565; 44578; 44580; 44579; 44588; 44584; 44588; 44569; 44588; 44580; 44577; 44571}<=44581
and returns
{TRUE; FALSE; TRUE; FALSE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; FALSE; FALSE; FALSE; TRUE; FALSE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE}
Step 2 - Find dates later than or equal to start date
C3:C18>=F2
becomes
{44573; 44588; 44566; 44584; 44565; 44578; 44580; 44579; 44588; 44584; 44588; 44569; 44588; 44580; 44577; 44571}>=44571
and returns
{TRUE; TRUE; FALSE; TRUE; FALSE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; FALSE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE}.
Step 3 - AND logic
Both tests must evaluate to true and to do that we need to multiply the array, in other words, apply AND logic.
Use the asterisk to multiply values or arrays.
* (asterisk) - Both logical expressions must match (AND logic)
The AND logic behind this is that
TRUE * TRUE = TRUE (1)
TRUE * FALSE = FALSE (0)
FALSE * FALSE = FALSE (0)
The parentheses control the order of operation.
(C3:C18<=F3)*(C3:C18>=F2)
becomes
{TRUE; FALSE; TRUE; FALSE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; FALSE; FALSE; FALSE; TRUE; FALSE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE}*{TRUE; TRUE; FALSE; TRUE; FALSE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; FALSE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE}
and returns
{1; 0; 0; 0; 0; 1; 1; 1; 0; 0; 0; 0; 0; 1; 1; 1}.
Step 4 - Filter values based on conditions
The FILTER function lets you extract values/rows based on a condition or criteria. It is in the Lookup and reference category and is only available to Excel 365 subscribers.
FILTER(array, include, [if_empty])
FILTER(B3:B18, (C3:C18<=F3)*(C3:C18>=F2))
becomes
FILTER(B3:B18, {1; 0; 0; 0; 0; 1; 1; 1; 0; 0; 0; 0; 0; 1; 1; 1})
and returns
{12; 77; 17; 7; 12; 12; 77}.
Step 5 - Extract unique distinct values based on array
The UNIQUE function lets you extract both unique and unique distinct values and also compare columns to columns or rows to rows.
UNIQUE(array,[by_col],[exactly_once])
UNIQUE(FILTER(B3:B18, (C3:C18<=F3)*(C3:C18>=F2)))
becomes
UNIQUE({12; 77; 17; 7; 12; 12; 77})
and returns {12; 77; 17; 7}.
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unique-list-to-be-created-from-a-column-where-an-adjacent-column-is-in-a-date-range.xlsx
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6 Responses to “Filter unique distinct values based on a date range”
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Hi Oscar,
Thanks for sharing the knowledge. I've a query in case of two columns of dates and two columns of data.
Calling columns A and B as data(text), C and D as Dates(dd/mm/yy), IF column D's date is not empty and matches to the range, concatenate A & B and paste in in different sheet, ELSE column C's date(column C will always have a date unlike column D) should be taken for range calculation and then concatenate A & B cells and paste in a cell.
Please do help in regards to this query.
Best Regards,
Krish
krish,
read this post:
Sort cell values in corresponding columns
I've created a new thread for this in a forum, which has got clear explanation. It'd be great to hear from you.
https://www.excelforum.com/excel-programming-vba-macros/901407-if-condition-two-cells-with-dates-and-concatenation-of-corresponding-2-text-cells.html
Many Thanks.
Hi Oscar, your formulas are absolute legend.
Any advice on using this formula with an extra criteria.
ie. create a unique list between 2 dates and matching a certain criteria from column C
Thanks in advanced.
Mike
What if there is one unique value in particular, whose name is constant (i.e. "estimated" shows up multiple times, across multiple dates), how might I incorporate that feature into this formula? Your help would be greatly appreciated!
This formula is a rockstar, but I am having one little problem.
So, I am using this formula to try and auto-populate all the reoccurring payments in my budget for a specific range of dates my paycheck covers. I am using the days of the month, instead of the actual calendar date, so that it can easily be switched to the new pay period without much fuss.
It works amazing for January 7th through the 20th ( or 7 and 20 as I have the formula referencing), until I have a range that goes from say the 21st of January to the 3rd of February, or for mine, just 21 ($J$4) and 3 ($L$4). I can't quite pin down what the issue is and if there is an easy fix for it.
{=IFERROR(INDEX(Data!$F$2:$F$20,MATCH(0,COUNTIF($H$16:H16,IF(($L$4>=Data!$G$2:$G$20)*($J$4<=Data!$G$2:$G$20),Data!$F$2:$F$20,$H$16)),0)),"")}
Thanks in advance for your help!