How to use the WRAPCOLS function
The WRAPCOLS function rearranges values from a single row to a 2D cell range based on a given number of values per column.
Dynamic array formula in cell B8:
The WRAPCOLS function is available to Excel 365 users and is in the "Array manipulation" category.
Table of Contents
1. WRAPCOLS Function Syntax
WRAPCOLS(vector, wrap_count, [pad_with])
2. WRAPCOLS Function Arguments
vector | Required. The source cell range or array. |
wrap_count | Required. The number of values per column, the last row may be smaller. |
[pad_with] | Optional. Value to pad with if there is an insufficient number of values in the last row. The default value is #N/A! |
3. WRAPCOLS Function example
The picture above shows how the WRAPCOLS function rearranges values in a row to create a 2D range based on the number of rows specified in the second argument: wrap_count.
Dynamic array formula in cell B8:
3.1 Explaining formula
Step 1 - WRAPCOLS function
WRAPCOLS(vector, wrap_count, [pad_with])
Step 2 - Populate arguments
vector - B2:M2
wrap_count - 4
Step 3 - Evaluate function
WRAPCOLS(B2:M2, 4)
becomes
WRAPCOLS({89, 68, 19, 37, 27, 84, 92, 63, 26, 98, 62, 45})
and returns
{89, 27, 26;
68, 84, 98;
19, 92, 62;
37, 63, 45}.
4. WRAPCOLS Function example - pad with
#N/A errors show up in empty cells on the last row, use the [pad_with] argument to populate empty cells.
Formula in cell B6:
The image below demonstrates how to populate empty cells with the text string "A".
Formula in cell B6:
WRAPCOLS(vector, wrap_count, [pad_with])
5. WRAPCOLS function alternative
This formula wraps the values in cell range B2:K2 to fit four columns. Change the bolded number in the formula below to adjust the number of columns.
Formula in cell B6:
Change bolded numbers to the number of rows you want in the 2D range.
5.1 Explaining formula in cell B6
Step 1 - Calculate the number of columns in a given cell range
The COLUMN function returns the column number of the top-left cell of a cell reference.
COLUMN(reference)
COLUMN(A1) - 1
becomes
1-1 equals 0 (zero).
Step 2 - Calculate column number of relative cell reference
The ROW function returns the row number of a cell reference.
ROW(reference)
ROW(A1)
returns 1.
Step 3 - Multiply
The asterisk lets you multiply numbers in an Excel formula.
The parentheses control the order of calculation, we want to subtract before we multiply.
(COLUMN(A1)-1)*4
becomes
0*4 equals 0 (zero).
Step 4 - Calculate column number
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$2:$K$2,,ROW(A1)+(COLUMN(A1)-1)*4)
becomes
INDEX($B$2:$K$2,,1)
and returns 89 in cell B6.
Step 5 - Return #N/A for row numbers above condition
The IF function returns one value if the logical test is TRUE and another value if the logical test is FALSE.
IF(logical_test, [value_if_true], [value_if_false])
IF(ROW(A1)>4,NA(),INDEX($B$2:$K$2,,ROW(A1)+(COLUMN(A1)-1)*4))
becomes
IF(ROW(A1)>4,NA(),89)
becomes
IF(FALSE, NA(), 89)
and returns 89.
6. WRAPCOLS function - values in random order
The image above shows a formula that rearranges values in random order with four columns.
Dynamic array formula in cell B6:
6.1 Explaining formula in cell B8
Step 1 - Calculate the number of cells in cell ref
The COLUMNS function returns the number of columns in a given cell range.
COLUMNS(array)
COLUMNS(B2:M2)
returns 12.
Step 2 - Create random decimal values
The RANDARRAY function returns a table of random numbers across rows and columns.
RANDARRAY([rows], [columns], [min], [max], [whole_number])
RANDARRAY(, COLUMNS(B2:M2))
becomes
RANDARRAY(, 12)
and returns
{0.732441255476154, 0.953587479053817, ... , 0.0191675082920368}
Step 3 - Sort values based on random decimals
The SORTBY function allows you to sort values from a cell range or array based on a corresponding cell range or array.
SORTBY(array, by_array1, [sort_order1], [by_array2, sort_order2],…)
SORTBY(B2:M2, RANDARRAY(, COLUMNS(B2:M2)))
becomes
SORTBY(B2:M2, {0.732441255476154, 0.953587479053817, ... , 0.0191675082920368})
becomes
SORTBY({89, 68, 19, 37, 27, 84, 92, 63, 26, 98, 62, 45}, {0.732441255476154, 0.953587479053817, ... , 0.0191675082920368})
and returns
{98, 68, 45;27, 19, 26;62, 92, 89;84, 37, 63}.
Step 5 - Wrap values
WRAPCOLS(SORTBY(B2:M2, RANDARRAY(, COLUMNS(B2:M2))), 4)
becomes
WRAPCOLS({98, 68, 45;27, 19, 26;62, 92, 89;84, 37, 63}, 4)
and returns
{98, 68, 45;
27, 19, 26;
62, 92, 89;
84, 37, 63}
Press F9 to recalculate values, this creates a new random order.
7. WRAPCOLS Function - multiple source ranges
The picture above shows a formula that rearranges values in multiple non-adjacent rows to a 2D range.
Dynamic array formula in cell B6:
8.1 Explaining formula
Step 1 - Stack values horizontally
The HSTACK function lets you combine cell ranges or arrays, it joins data to the first blank cell to the right of a cell range or array (horizontal stacking)
HSTACK(array1, [array2],...)
HSTACK(B2:M2, B4:G4, B6:K6)
becomes
HSTACK({89, 68, 19, 37, 27, 84, 92, 63, 26, 98, 62, 45}, {49, 65, 30, 59, 10, 10}, {52, 30, 55, 58, 33, 58, 31, 93, 27, 97})
and returns
{89, 68, 19, 37, 27, 84, 92, 63, 26, 98, 62, 45, 49, 65, 30, 59, 10, 10, 52, 30, 55, 58, 33, 58, 31, 93, 27, 97}.
Step 2 - Wrap values to rows
WRAPCOLS(HSTACK(B2:M2, B4:G4, B6:K6), 4)
becomes
WRAPCOLS({89, 68, 19, 37, 27, 84, 92, 63, 26, 98, 62, 45, 49, 65, 30, 59, 10, 10, 52, 30, 55, 58, 33, 58, 31, 93, 27, 97}, 4)
and returns
{89, 27, 26, 49, 10, 55, 31;
68, 84, 98, 65, 10, 58, 93;
19, 92, 62, 30, 52, 33, 27;
37, 63, 45, 59, 30, 58, 97}
Useful resources
How to Use the WRAPCOLS Function in Excel
WRAPCOLS function - Microsoft support
Functions in 'Array manipulation' category
The WRAPCOLS function function is one of many functions in the 'Array manipulation' category.
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