Extract the most repeated adjacent values in a column

Author: Oscar Cronquist Article last updated on January 21, 2023

The array formula in cell D3 returns the the length of longest consecutive sequence of a value in column A. Cell D4 returns the value of the longest consecutive sequence in column A.

Cell F3 returns the length of the shortest consecutive sequence of a value in column A and cell F4 returns the value of the smallest consecutive sequence in column A.

How many times is a value repeated?
What value is repeated?
Length of the shortest consecutive sequence of a value?
Value of the shortest consecutive sequence?
Length of second longest consecutive sequence of a value?
Value of the second longest consecutive sequence?
Get Excel file

1. Length of the most repeated grouped value

The array formula in cell D3 calculates how many cells contain the same given value repeated. It returns four in cell D3 because value "B" is repeated four times and is adjacent to each other in cell range A11:A14.

Array formula in cell D3:

=MAX(FREQUENCY(IF($A$2:$A$25<>$A$3:$A$26, "", MATCH(ROW($A$2:$A$25), ROW($A$2:$A$25))), IF($A$2:$A$25<>$A$3:$A$26, MATCH(ROW($A$2:$A$25), ROW($A$2:$A$25)) ,""))+1)

How to enter an array formula

Select cell
Copy/Paste the formula to the formula bar
Press and hold CTRL + SHIFT simultaneously
Press Enter once
Release all keys

Update 3-18-2021, Excel 365 formula:

=LET(z, A3:A26, y, A2:A25, x, SEQUENCE(ROWS(y)), MAX(FREQUENCY(IF(y<>z, "", x), IF(y<>z, x, ""))+1)

Explaining formula in cell D3

Step 1 - Compare values in cell ranges

The less than and the greater than characters combined checks if a value is not equal to another value, it returns TRUE if not equal and FALSE if equal.

The second cell range is offset by 1, this makes the comparison check the following value which makes it easy to calculate the number of repeated values in a column.

$A$2:$A$25<>$A$3:$A$26

becomes

({"B"; "B"; "C"; "C"; "B"; "B"; "C"; "B"; "C"; "B"; "B"; "B"; "B"; "C"; "B"; "A"; "C"; "A"; "C"; "C"; "A"; "C"; "C"; "C"}<>{"B"; "C"; "C"; "B"; "B"; "C"; "B"; "C"; "B"; "B"; "B"; "B"; "C"; "B"; "A"; "C"; "A"; "C"; "C"; "A"; "C"; "C"; "C"; 0}

and returns

{FALSE; TRUE; FALSE; TRUE; FALSE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; FALSE; FALSE; FALSE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; FALSE; TRUE; TRUE; FALSE; FALSE; TRUE}

Step 2 - Replace TRUE with corresponding row number

The IF function returns one value if the logical test is TRUE and another value if the logical test is FALSE.

IF($A$2:$A$25<>$A$3:$A$26, "", MATCH(ROW($A$2:$A$25), ROW($A$2:$A$25)))

becomes

IF({FALSE; TRUE; FALSE; TRUE; FALSE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; FALSE; FALSE; FALSE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; FALSE; TRUE; TRUE; FALSE; FALSE; TRUE}, "", MATCH(ROW($A$2:$A$25), ROW($A$2:$A$25)))

becomes

IF({FALSE; TRUE; FALSE; TRUE; FALSE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; FALSE; FALSE; FALSE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; FALSE; TRUE; TRUE; FALSE; FALSE; TRUE}, "", {1; 2; 3; 4; 5; 6; 7; 8; 9; 10; 11; 12; 13; 14; 15; 16; 17; 18; 19; 20; 21; 22; 23; 24})

and returns

{1; ""; 3; ""; 5; ""; ""; ""; ""; 10; 11; 12; ""; ""; ""; ""; ""; ""; 19; ""; ""; 22; 23; ""}

Step 3 - Calculate frequency

The FREQUENCY function calculates how often values occur within a range of values and returns a vertical array of numbers. It returns an array that is one more item larger than the bins_array.

FREQUENCY(IF($A$2:$A$25<>$A$3:$A$26, "", MATCH(ROW($A$2:$A$25), ROW($A$2:$A$25))), IF($A$2:$A$25<>$A$3:$A$25, MATCH(ROW($A$2:$A$25), ROW($A$2:$A$25)) , ""))

becomes

FREQUENCY({1; ""; 3; ""; 5; ""; ""; ""; ""; 10; 11; 12; ""; ""; ""; ""; ""; ""; 19; ""; ""; 22; 23; ""}, {""; 2; ""; 4; ""; 6; 7; 8; 9; ""; ""; ""; 13; 14; 15; 16; 17; 18; ""; 20; 21; ""; ""; 24})

and returns

{1; 1; 1; 0; 0; 0; 3; 0; 0; 0; 0; 0; 1; 0; 2; 0}

Step 4 - Calculate max number in the array

The MAX function returns the largest number in a cell range or array.

MAX(FREQUENCY(IF($A$2:$A$25<>$A$3:$A$26, "", MATCH(ROW($A$2:$A$25), ROW($A$2:$A$25))), IF($A$2:$A$25<>$A$3:$A$25, MATCH(ROW($A$2:$A$25), ROW($A$2:$A$25)) ,""))+1)

becomes

MAX({1; 1; 1; 0; 0; 0; 3; 0; 0; 0; 0; 0; 1; 0; 2; 0}+1)

becomes

MAX({2; 2; 2; 1; 1; 1; 4; 1; 1; 1; 1; 1; 2; 1; 3; 1})

and returns 4.

2. Extract most repeated grouped value

The image above demonstrates a formula in cell D4 that extracts the most repeated adjacent value in column A.

Array formula in cell D4:

=INDEX($A$2:$A$25, SMALL(IF($A$2:$A$25<>$A$3:$A$26, MATCH(ROW($A$2:$A$25), ROW($A$2:$A$25)), ""), MATCH(MAX(FREQUENCY(IF($A$2:$A$25<>$A$3:$A$26, "", MATCH(ROW($A$2:$A$25), ROW($A$2:$A$25))), IF($A$2:$A$25<>$A$3:$A$26, MATCH(ROW($A$2:$A$25), ROW($A$2:$A$25)), ""))+1), FREQUENCY(IF($A$2:$A$25<>$A$3:$A$26, "", MATCH(ROW($A$2:$A$25), ROW($A$2:$A$25))), IF($A$2:$A$25<>$A$3:$A$26, MATCH(ROW($A$2:$A$25), ROW($A$2:$A$25)), ""))+1, 0)))

Update 3-18-2021, Excel 365 formula in cell D4:

=LET(x, IF($A$2:$A$25<>$A$3:$A$26, SEQUENCE(ROWS(A2:A25)), ""), y, IF($A$2:$A$25<>$A$3:$A$26, "", SEQUENCE(ROWS(A2:A25))), INDEX($A$2:$A$25, SMALL(x, MATCH(MAX(FREQUENCY(y, x)+1), FREQUENCY(y, x)+1, 0))))

Explaining formula in cell D4

Step 1 - Compare cell ranges and return corresponding row number if TRUE

The IF function returns one value if the logical test is TRUE and another value if the logical test is FALSE.

IF($A$2:$A$25<>$A$3:$A$26, MATCH(ROW($A$2:$A$25), ROW($A$2:$A$25)), "")

becomes

IF({FALSE; TRUE; FALSE; TRUE; FALSE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; FALSE; FALSE; FALSE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; FALSE; TRUE; TRUE; FALSE; FALSE; TRUE}, MATCH(ROW($A$2:$A$25), ROW($A$2:$A$25)), "")

becomes

IF({FALSE; TRUE; FALSE; TRUE; FALSE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; FALSE; FALSE; FALSE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; FALSE; TRUE; TRUE; FALSE; FALSE; TRUE}, {1; 2; 3; 4; 5; 6; 7; 8; 9; 10; 11; 12; 13; 14; 15; 16; 17; 18; 19; 20; 21; 22; 23; 24}, "")

and returns

{""; 2; ""; 4; ""; 6; 7; 8; 9; ""; ""; ""; 13; 14; 15; 16; 17; 18; ""; 20; 21; ""; ""; 24}

Step 2 - Compare cell ranges and return corresponding row number if FALSE

IF($A$2:$A$25<>$A$3:$A$26, "", MATCH(ROW($A$2:$A$25), ROW($A$2:$A$25)))

becomes

and returns

{1; ""; 3; ""; 5; ""; ""; ""; ""; 10; 11; 12; ""; ""; ""; ""; ""; ""; 19; ""; ""; 22; 23; ""}

Step 4 - Calculate the frequency of repeated values in column A

The FREQUENCY function calculates how often values occur within a range of values and returns a vertical array of numbers. It returns an array that is one more item larger than the bins_array.

FREQUENCY(IF($A$2:$A$25<>$A$3:$A$26, "", MATCH(ROW($A$2:$A$25), ROW($A$2:$A$25))), IF($A$2:$A$25<>$A$3:$A$26, MATCH(ROW($A$2:$A$25), ROW($A$2:$A$25)), ""))+1

becomes

FREQUENCY({1; ""; 3; ""; 5; ""; ""; ""; ""; 10; 11; 12; ""; ""; ""; ""; ""; ""; 19; ""; ""; 22; 23; ""}, {""; 2; ""; 4; ""; 6; 7; 8; 9; ""; ""; ""; 13; 14; 15; 16; 17; 18; ""; 20; 21; ""; ""; 24})+1

becomes

{1; 1; 1; 0; 0; 0; 3; 0; 0; 0; 0; 0; 1; 0; 2; 0} + 1

and returns

{2; 2; 2; 1; 1; 1; 4; 1; 1; 1; 1; 1; 2; 1; 3; 1}

Step 5 - Calculate largest value in array

The MAX function returns the largest number in a cell range or array.

MAX(FREQUENCY(y, x)+1)

becomes

MAX({2; 2; 2; 1; 1; 1; 4; 1; 1; 1; 1; 1; 2; 1; 3; 1})

and returns 4.

Step 6 - Find the position in array

The MATCH function returns a number representing the relative position af a given value in a cell range or array.

MATCH(MAX(FREQUENCY(IF($A$2:$A$25<>$A$3:$A$26, MATCH(ROW($A$2:$A$25), ROW($A$2:$A$25)),""), IF($A$2:$A$25<>$A$3:$A$26, MATCH(ROW($A$2:$A$25), ROW($A$2:$A$25)), ""))+1), FREQUENCY(IF($A$2:$A$25<>$A$3:$A$26, MATCH(ROW($A$2:$A$25), ROW($A$2:$A$25)),""), IF($A$2:$A$25<>$A$3:$A$26, MATCH(ROW($A$2:$A$25), ROW($A$2:$A$25)), ""))+1, 0)

becomes

MATCH(4, {2; 2; 2; 1; 1; 1; 4; 1; 1; 1; 1; 1; 2; 1; 3; 1}, 0)

and returns 7.

Step 7 - Calculate k-th smallest value

The SMALL function returns the k-th smallest number from a cell range or array.

SMALL(IF($A$2:$A$25<>$A$3:$A$26, MATCH(ROW($A$2:$A$25), ROW($A$2:$A$25)), ""), MATCH(MAX(FREQUENCY(IF($A$2:$A$25<>$A$3:$A$26, MATCH(ROW($A$2:$A$25), ROW($A$2:$A$25)),""), IF($A$2:$A$25<>$A$3:$A$26, MATCH(ROW($A$2:$A$25), ROW($A$2:$A$25)), ""))+1), FREQUENCY(IF($A$2:$A$25<>$A$3:$A$26, MATCH(ROW($A$2:$A$25), ROW($A$2:$A$25)),""), IF($A$2:$A$25<>$A$3:$A$26, MATCH(ROW($A$2:$A$25), ROW($A$2:$A$25)), ""))+1, 0))

becomes

SMALL({""; 2; ""; 4; ""; 6; 7; 8; 9; ""; ""; ""; 13; 14; 15; 16; 17; 18; ""; 20; 21; ""; ""; 24}, 7)

and returns 13.

Step 8 - Return value

The INDEX function returns a value from a given cell range or array based on a row and column number.

INDEX($A$2:$A$25, SMALL(IF($A$2:$A$25<>$A$3:$A$26, MATCH(ROW($A$2:$A$25), ROW($A$2:$A$25)), ""), MATCH(MAX(FREQUENCY(IF($A$2:$A$25<>$A$3:$A$26, "", MATCH(ROW($A$2:$A$25), ROW($A$2:$A$25))), IF($A$2:$A$25<>$A$3:$A$26, MATCH(ROW($A$2:$A$25), ROW($A$2:$A$25)), ""))+1), FREQUENCY(IF($A$2:$A$25<>$A$3:$A$26, "", MATCH(ROW($A$2:$A$25), ROW($A$2:$A$25))), IF($A$2:$A$25<>$A$3:$A$26, MATCH(ROW($A$2:$A$25), ROW($A$2:$A$25)), ""))+1, 0)))

becomes

INDEX($A$2:$A$25, 13)

and returns "B" in cell D4.

3. Length of the shortest consecutive sequence of a value

Array formula in cell F3:

=MIN(FREQUENCY(IF($A$2:$A$25<>$A$3:$A$26, "", MATCH(ROW($A$2:$A$25), ROW($A$2:$A$25))), IF($A$2:$A$25<>$A$3:$A$25, MATCH(ROW($A$2:$A$25), ROW($A$2:$A$25)) ,""))+1)

4. Value of the shortest consecutive sequence

Array formula in cell F4:

=INDEX($A$2:$A$25, SMALL(IF($A$2:$A$25<>$A$3:$A$26, MATCH(ROW($A$2:$A$25), ROW($A$2:$A$25)), ""), MATCH(MIN(FREQUENCY(IF($A$2:$A$25<>$A$3:$A$26, "", MATCH(ROW($A$2:$A$25), ROW($A$2:$A$25))), IF($A$2:$A$25<>$A$3:$A$26, MATCH(ROW($A$2:$A$25), ROW($A$2:$A$25)), ""))+1), FREQUENCY(IF($A$2:$A$25<>$A$3:$A$26, "", MATCH(ROW($A$2:$A$25), ROW($A$2:$A$25))), IF($A$2:$A$25<>$A$3:$A$26, MATCH(ROW($A$2:$A$25), ROW($A$2:$A$25)), ""))+1, 0)))

5. Length of second longest consecutive sequence of a value

Array formula in cell D7:

=LARGE(FREQUENCY(IF($A$2:$A$25<>$A$3:$A$26, "", MATCH(ROW($A$2:$A$25), ROW($A$2:$A$25))), IF($A$2:$A$25<>$A$3:$A$25, MATCH(ROW($A$2:$A$25), ROW($A$2:$A$25)), ""))+1, 2)

6. Value of the second-longest consecutive sequence

Array formula in cell D8:

=INDEX($A$2:$A$25, SMALL(IF($A$2:$A$25<>$A$3:$A$26, MATCH(ROW($A$2:$A$25), ROW($A$2:$A$25)), ""), MATCH(LARGE(FREQUENCY(IF($A$2:$A$25<>$A$3:$A$26, "", MATCH(ROW($A$2:$A$25), ROW($A$2:$A$25))), IF($A$2:$A$25<>$A$3:$A$26, MATCH(ROW($A$2:$A$25), ROW($A$2:$A$25)), ""))+1, 2), FREQUENCY(IF($A$2:$A$25<>$A$3:$A$26, "", MATCH(ROW($A$2:$A$25), ROW($A$2:$A$25))), IF($A$2:$A$25<>$A$3:$A$26, MATCH(ROW($A$2:$A$25), ROW($A$2:$A$25)), ""))+1, 0)))

If you are interested in learning and constructing array formulas, check out my Advanced excel course.

Get the Excel file

Most repeated adjacent value.xlsx

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8 Responses to “Extract the most repeated adjacent values in a column”

Chris Macro says:

November 11, 2014 at 10:44 pm

This reminded me of a article I wrote a while back, only I took the perspective of using this methodology to calculate win/loss streaks for a sports team. There's a lot of cool stuff you can do with this consecutive sequence formula!

https://www.thespreadsheetguru.com/blog/2014/6/29/formulas-to-calculate-longest-current-win-streaks?rq=streak

Reply
- Oscar says:
  
  November 12, 2014 at 10:20 am
  
  Chris Macro,
  
  Yes, there is a lot of cool stuff you can do I only wish I could come up with shorter formulas.
  
  The FREQUENCY function really saved me, I thought quite a while before figuring out how to solve this problem.
  
  Thanks for sharing your post.
Oscar says:

March 11, 2015 at 10:45 am

I got an email from David, his formulas are a lot smaller.

Formula in D4:
=INDEX($A$2:$A$25,AGGREGATE(14, 6, ROW($A$3:$A$26)-2/(FREQUENCY(IF($A$2:$A$25=$A$3:$A$26, ROW($A$2:$A$25)), ($A$2:$A$25<>$A$3:$A$26)*ROW($A$2:$A$25))=(D3-1)), 1), 0)

Get his workbook:
https://www.get-digital-help.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/longest-consecutive-sequence-1.xlsx

Reply
Rogério says:

May 23, 2016 at 2:01 am

I have this sequence of C2: O2,
2 1 2 X X X 2 X 1 X 2 X 2

I need you to return the largest consecutive sequence:

X should be 3
2 should be 2
1 should be 1
x and 2 should be 4.

Another example:
X 2 X 1 1 X 1 1 X 1 1 1 2

1 X must be
2 must be 1
1 must be 5
x and 2 should be 2.

Reply
Rogério says:

May 23, 2016 at 2:06 am

Tenho esta sequencia de C2:O2,
2 X X X 1 2 2 X 1 2 X X 2

Preciso que retorne a maior sequencia consecutiva de:

X deve ser 3
2 deve ser 2
1 deve ser 1
x e 2 deve ser 4 .

Outro exemplo:
X 2 1 X 1 X 1 1 1 1 1 2 X

X deve ser 1
2 deve ser 1
1 deve ser 5
x e 2 deve ser 2 .

Reply
Marlies says:

March 29, 2020 at 5:23 pm

Thank you for all your information, I appreciate it. If I'm copying the formula of D3 into Google Sheets, it's not working. It gives the number 2, while using the same values in column A as you. The formula of D4 turns in the right value (B). Do you know if the formula needs some change to work in google?

Reply
RMcD says:

March 19, 2021 at 6:12 pm

do u have version for google sheets

Reply
Deyan Velikov says:

May 26, 2021 at 2:44 am

Thanks for this. It works. However, what do I do if I have blank cells in my array, that I do not wish to be counted?

To use your example: Imagine cells A11:A14 did not contain "B" in them, but rather were left blank. Then your formula would still say the longest consecutive sequence is 4, with a value "" (blank).

Obviously that is not a desired outcome. In this case the longest consecutive sequence would be A23:A25. A sequence of 3 Cs.

Can you please suggest a solution?

Thank you in advance!
Kind regards,
Deyan

Reply

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Extract the most repeated adjacent values in a column

Table of Contents

1. Length of the most repeated grouped value

How to enter an array formula

Explaining formula in cell D3

Step 1 - Compare values in cell ranges

Step 2 - Replace TRUE with corresponding row number

Step 3 - Calculate frequency

Step 4 - Calculate max number in the array

2. Extract most repeated grouped value

Explaining formula in cell D4

Step 1 - Compare cell ranges and return corresponding row number if TRUE

Step 2 - Compare cell ranges and return corresponding row number if FALSE

Step 4 - Calculate the frequency of repeated values in column A

Step 5 - Calculate largest value in array

Step 6 - Find the position in array

Step 7 - Calculate k-th smallest value

Step 8 - Return value

3. Length of the shortest consecutive sequence of a value

4. Value of the shortest consecutive sequence

5. Length of second longest consecutive sequence of a value

6. Value of the second-longest consecutive sequence

Get the Excel file

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