Extract unique distinct values sorted based on sum of adjacent values
Filtering unique distinct text values and sort them based on the sum of adjacent values can easily be done by creating a pivot table, and I highly recommend it.
But in this blog post I want to show how to do this using an Excel array formula.
Array formula in E2:
How to create an array formula
- Copy above array formula
- Double press with left mouse button on cell E3
- Paste array formula
- Press and hold Ctrl + Shift simultaneouslöy
- Press Enter
Formula in cell F3:
Explaining formula in cell E2
Step 1 - Count prior values above current cell
The COUNTIF function counts values based on a condition or criteria, if number is 0 (zero) then the corresponding value has not yet been displayed.
NOT(COUNTIF($D$1:D1, $A$2:$A$8))
becomes
NOT(COUNTIF("Unique distinct", {"AA";"BB";"CC";"BB";"CC";"AA";"DD"}))
becomes
NOT({0;0;0;0;0;0;0})
The NOT function returns the boolean opposite to the given argument. The array contains no boolean values, however it does contain their numerical equivavents. TRUE = 1 and FALSE = 0 (zero).
NOT({0;0;0;0;0;0;0})
and returns
{TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE}.
Step 2 - IF TRUE then return the corresponding sum
The IF function returns the total if boolean value is TRUE. FALSE returns "" (nothing).
IF(NOT(COUNTIF($E$2:E2, $B$3:$B$9)),SUMIF($B$3:$B$9, "="&$B$3:$B$9, $C$3:$C$9),"")
becomes
IF({TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE}, SUMIF($B$3:$B$9, "="&$B$3:$B$9, $C$3:$C$9),"")
The SUMIF function adds numbers and returns a total based on a condition or criteria.
IF({TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE}, SUMIF($B$3:$B$9, "="&$B$3:$B$9, $C$3:$C$9),"")
becomes
IF({TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE}, {80;100;110;100;110;80;100},"")
and returns
{80;100;110;100;110;80;100}.
Step 3 - Get the largest number in array
The MAX function returns the largest number in array ignoring blanks and text values.
MAX(IF(NOT(COUNTIF($E$2:E2, $B$3:$B$9)),SUMIF($B$3:$B$9, "="&$B$3:$B$9, $C$3:$C$9),""))
becomes
MAX({80;100;110;100;110;80;100})
and returns 110.
Step 4 - Match number
The MATCH function returns the relative position of a value in a cell range or array.
MATCH(MAX(IF(NOT(COUNTIF($E$2:E2, $B$3:$B$9)),SUMIF($B$3:$B$9, "="&$B$3:$B$9, $C$3:$C$9),"")), IF(NOT(COUNTIF($E$2:E2, $B$3:$B$9)),SUMIF($B$3:$B$9, "="&$B$3:$B$9, $C$3:$C$9),""), 0)
becomes
MATCH(110, IF(NOT(COUNTIF($E$2:E2, $B$3:$B$9)),SUMIF($B$3:$B$9, "="&$B$3:$B$9, $C$3:$C$9),""), 0)
becomes
MATCH(110, {80;100;110;100;110;80;100}, 0)
and returns 3.
Step 5 - Get value
The INDEX function returns a value based on row number (and column number if needed)
INDEX($A$2:$A$8, MATCH(MAX(IF(NOT(COUNTIF($D$1:D1, $A$2:$A$8)),SUMIF($A$2:$A$8, "="&$A$2:$A$8, $B$2:$B$8),"")), IF(NOT(COUNTIF($D$1:D1, $A$2:$A$8)),SUMIF($A$2:$A$8, "="&$A$2:$A$8, $B$2:$B$8),""), 0))
becomes
INDEX($A$2:$A$8, 3)
and returns "CC" in cell E2.
Get Excel *.xlsx file
Filter unique distinct list sorted based on sum of adjacent values.xlsx
Filtering unique distinct text values and sort them based on sum of adjacent values using a criteria list
Array formula in cell E7:
Formula in cell E7:
Get excel *.xlsx file
filter-unique-distinct-list-sorted-based-on-sum-of-adjacent-values-using-array-formula2.xlsx
Unique distinct values category
First, let me explain the difference between unique values and unique distinct values, it is important you know the difference […]
Question: I have two ranges or lists (List1 and List2) from where I would like to extract a unique distinct […]
Ahmed Ali asks: How to return multiple values using vlookup in excel and removing duplicates? I have tried the formula […]
The array formula in cell D3 extracts unique distinct values sorted A to Z, from column B to column D. […]
Anura asks: Is it possible to extend this by matching items that meet a criteria? I have a list of […]
Question: How do I extract a unique distinct list from three ranges or lists? The ranges are not necessarily adjacent […]
This article demonstrates formulas that extract unique distinct values and ignore blank empty cells. Table of contents Extract a unique […]
Question: I have cell values spanning over several columns and I want to create a unique list from that range. […]
Question: How do I create a unique distinct list where other columns meet two criteria using excel array formula? Answer: […]
This is an answer to a question in this blog post: Extract a unique distinct list sorted from A-Z from […]
This article demonstrates two formulas that extract distinct values from a filtered Excel Table, one formula for Excel 365 subscribers […]
Question: How do I create a unique distinct list where adjacent cell values contain a search string? AA102 CA AA103 […]
EEK asks: I am looking for the same formula on this page, but targeting a range of MxN (spanning multiple […]
This article demonstrates a formula that extracts unique distinct records/rows for a given month specified in cell C2, see the […]
Question: How do I create a unique distinct list from a column sorted A to Z using array formula? Array […]
The image above demonstrates a formula in cell F3 that extracts unique distinct values from column B if they contain […]
Question: How to create unique distinct year and months from a long date listing (column A)? You can find the […]
Table of Contents Filter unique distinct values based on a date range How to enter an array formula Filter unique […]
Question: I want a unique distinct list to be created from a column where an adjacent column has text cell […]
Functions in this article
More than 600 Excel formulas
Excel categories
11 Responses to “Extract unique distinct values sorted based on sum of adjacent values”
Leave a Reply to Bill
How to comment
How to add a formula to your comment
<code>Insert your formula here.</code>
Convert less than and larger than signs
Use html character entities instead of less than and larger than signs.
< becomes < and > becomes >
How to add VBA code to your comment
[vb 1="vbnet" language=","]
Put your VBA code here.
[/vb]
How to add a picture to your comment:
Upload picture to postimage.org or imgur
Paste image link to your comment.
[...] Filter unique distinct list sorted based on sum of adjacent values … [...]
How might I go about doing this if the values range from positive to negative. ie.
Text Number
AA 60
BB 90
CC 80
EE -100
CC 30
FF -50
DD 100
Eric,
Array formula in A11:
=INDEX(List_text, MATCH(LARGE(IF(COUNTIF($A$10:A10, List_text)=0, SUMIF(List_text, "="&List_text, List_number), ""), 1), SUMIF(List_text, "="&List_text, List_number)*NOT(COUNTIF($A$10:A10, List_text)), 0)) + CTRL + SHIFT + ENTER. Copy cell A11 and paste it down as far as necessary.
Hi Oscar,
Thanks for the formula above, it fixes the case where there are negative values. But, I'm seeing one error - whenever the sum of numbers for some entry is Zero, then the formula fails. In Eric's example set above, if number corresponding to DD was 0, then your formula stops to work. Can you pls suggest something to fix this? Many thanks in adv, appreciate if you could respond soon. Cheers.
William,
You are right! I have changed this post. I hope it works better now.
Thanks for commenting!
What if i wanted sum value to be sorted in descending order.
Oscar, one more question.
How to modify this formula, to use other unique criteria list array being on another worksheet? For example: unique values match only are - AA and BB from criteria list and A1:A12 range from your example.
Can you help me?
Bill,
read this:
Filtering unique distinct text values and sort them based on sum of adjacent values using a criteria list
Thank you, Oscar!
Hi, Oscar,
So what if to do this single array formula? Is it real? Without prepared criteria list. The criteria list mixed with the others
values. How to extract the same values from other range contained in two ranges and sorted by SUM using single formula?
Please help me, I need to assist someone in the processing of their petty cash so i require the following:
I have certain accounts that represent only an income or expense so what i want to know is if i have columns that Reference; Date; Account; Invoice#; Description; PAID; Cash+- and Balance
Based on the Account number that is used (numeric) I want it to return the value that is in PAID column as ZARfigure into Cash+- as positive or negative based on the account code used: EXAMPLE:
Referance P-003414
Date 18.10.2017
Account 2200 (only expenses run through this account all amounts need to be negative
Invoice # 00001
Description Supplier Payment
Paid 1200
Cash In/out -1200
Balance -1200 - This is a running total
There are 18 accounts that i use in total for this purpose and 14 are Negative and 4 are positive
Thank you
Tamara