How to count unique distinct values based on a date
The array formula in cell D3 calculates the number of unique distinct items based on the given date in column B. Unique distinct values are all values but duplicates are merged into one value.
Example, there are five items on date 1/5/2010 in the table above. 1150, 1126, 1131, 1131 and 1126, however there are only three unique distinct items 1150, 1126 and 1131 and that number is what the formula returned in cell D3.
Array formula in D3:
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.
Copy cell D3 and paste it down as far as needed.
Explaining formula in cell D3
Step 1 - Calculate alphabetical rank
The COUNTIF function counts values based on a condition or criteria, in this case I use the ampersand to concatenate a less than sign. This will return a number representing the rank in an alphabetically sorted list.
COUNTIF($C$3:$C$11, "<"&$C$3:$C$11)
becomes
COUNTIF({1150;1126;1131;1131;1126;1150;1150;1131;1131},{"<1150";"<1126";"<1131";"<1131";"<1126";"<1150";"<1150";"<1131";"<1131"})
and returns
{6;0;2;2;0;6;6;2;2}
Step 2 - Extract numbers based on date
The IF function has three arguments, the first one must be a logical expression. If the expression evaluates to TRUE then one thing happens (argument 2) and if FALSE another thing happens (argument 3).
IF(B3=$B$3:$B$11, COUNTIF($C$3:$C$11, "<"&$C$3:$C$11), "")
becomes
IF(40183={40183; 40183; 40183; 40183; 40183; 40184; 40184; 40184; 40184},COUNTIF($C$3:$C$11,"<"&$C$3:$C$11),"")
becomes
IF({TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; FALSE; FALSE; FALSE; FALSE},COUNTIF($C$3:$C$11,"<"&$C$3:$C$11),"")
and returns
{6;0;2;2;0;"";"";"";""}.
Step 3 - Cacluate frequency
The FREQUENCY function calculates how often values occur in a range.
FREQUENCY(IF(B3=$B$3:$B$11, COUNTIF($C$3:$C$11, "<"&$C$3:$C$11), ""), (COUNTIF($C$3:$C$11, "<"&$C$3:$C$11))
becomes
FREQUENCY({6; 0; 2; 2; 0; ""; ""; ""; ""},{6; 0; 2; 2; 0; 6; 6; 2; 2})
and returns
{1;2;2;0;0;0;0;0;0;0}
Step 4 - Is number larger than 0 (zero)?
The value is unique distinct if the corresponding number in the array is larger than 0 (zero).
FREQUENCY(IF(B3=$B$3:$B$11, COUNTIF($C$3:$C$11, "<"&$C$3:$C$11), ""), (COUNTIF($C$3:$C$11, "<"&$C$3:$C$11))>0
becomes
{1;2;2;0;0;0;0;0;0;0}>0
and returns
{TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; FALSE; FALSE; FALSE; FALSE; FALSE; FALSE; FALSE}
Step 5 - Convert boolean values
The SUM function can't sum boolean value so we must convert them into their numerical equivalents.
--(FREQUENCY(IF(B3=$B$3:$B$11, COUNTIF($C$3:$C$11, "<"&$C$3:$C$11), ""), (COUNTIF($C$3:$C$11, "<"&$C$3:$C$11)))>0)
becomes
--({TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; FALSE; FALSE; FALSE; FALSE; FALSE; FALSE; FALSE})
and returns
{1;1;1;0;0;0;0;0;0;0}
Step 6 - Sum numbers
The SUM function adds numbers in the array and returns a total.
SUM(--(FREQUENCY(IF(B3=$B$3:$B$11, COUNTIF($C$3:$C$11, "<"&$C$3:$C$11), ""), (COUNTIF($C$3:$C$11, "<"&$C$3:$C$11)))>0))
becomes
SUM({1;1;1;0;0;0;0;0;0;0})
and returns 3.
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How would I modify this formula to then allow me to filter another row of data?
For example, if there was a yes / no entry in column e, that would then further pair down the entries from 3 to between 3-0. Is it possible to do this with this formula? The formula works great for counting the unique occurrencies based on two columns, but I would like to add a third column requirement that I can move around to then filter information as needed.
Thanks,
Dave
David,
Formula in cell D3:
[…] try this How to count unique distinct occurrences for each date in excel | Get Digital Help - Microsoft Excel… […]
Is there a way to subtotal the unique distinct values on each date with counting each date only once?
While failing to apply the above formula on my data, i copied the above example and function and the result i get is 1.
What am i doing wrong?
Thanos,
Did you enter the formula as an array formula?
Are there curly brackets around your formula in the formula bar?
Like this:
{=SUM(--(FREQUENCY(IF(B3=$B$3:$B$11, COUNTIF($C$3:$C$11, "<"&$C$3:$C$11), ""), (COUNTIF($C$3:$C$11, "<"&$C$3:$C$11)))>0))}
Don't enter those characters yourself, they appear if you successfully entered the array formula.
Just as done by one day. How can it be done with number of days. I want to get unique numbers whose days difference is 30.
Thank you very much. It helps my problem. :)
If I want to skip blank field for count, how would I do that?
May I know , what if I want to ignored "BLANKS" for unique count?