Identify missing numbers in a column
The image above shows an array formula in cell D6 that extracts missing numbers i cell range B3:B7, the lower boundary is specified in cell E2 and the upper boundary is in cell E3. The ROW function has a limit of 1 048 576 so the number of values between the lower and upper boundary can't be more than 1 048 576.
If this limit won't work for you then later in this article you will find a macro that doesn't have this limit.
Array Formula in D6
How to create an array formula
- Select cell D6
- Copy / Paste array formula
- Press and hold Ctrl + Shift
- Press Enter
- Release all keys
How to copy array formula
- Copy cell D6
- Paste to cells below as far as needed.
Explaining formula in cell B5
Step 1 - Build cell reference
The OFFSET function lets you create a cell reference with the same size as there are numbers between 2000000 and 2000010.
OFFSET($B$2,0,0,$E$3-$E$2+1)
becomes
OFFSET($B$2,0,0,2000010-2000000+1)
becomes
OFFSET($B$2,0,0,11)
and returns $B$2:$B$12
Step 2 - Convert cell reference to row numbers
The ROW function creates an array of row numbers based on the cell reference.
ROW(OFFSET($B$2,0,0,$E$3-$E$2+1))-2
becomes
ROW($B$2:$B$12)-2
becomes
{2;3;4;5;6;7;8;9;10;11;12}-2
and returns
{0;1;2;3;4;5;6;7;8;9;10}
Step 3 - Add start number to array
$E$2+ROW(OFFSET($B$2,0,0,$E$3-$E$2+1))-2
becomes
$E$2+{0;1;2;3;4;5;6;7;8;9;10}
becomes
2000000+{0;1;2;3;4;5;6;7;8;9;10}
and returns
{2000000;2000001;2000002;2000003;2000004;2000005;2000006;2000007;2000008;2000009;2000010}
This is the list we need to figure out which values are missing.
Step 4 - Which values exist?
The MATCH function finds the relative position of each number in the array in cell range $B$3:$B$7, it returns an error if not found.
MATCH($E$2+ROW(OFFSET($B$2,0,0,$E$3-$E$2+1))-2,$B$3:$B$7,0)
becomes
MATCH({2000000;2000001;2000002;2000003;2000004;2000005;2000006;2000007;2000008;2000009;2000010},$B$3:$B$7,0)
becomes
MATCH({2000000;2000001;2000002;2000003;2000004;2000005;2000006;2000007;2000008;2000009;2000010},{2000001;2000003;2000004;2000007;2000008},0)
and returns
{#N/A;1;#N/A;2;3;#N/A;#N/A;4;5;#N/A;#N/A}
Step 5 - Identify errors
The ISERROR function returns TRUE if value is an error and FALSE if not.
ISERROR(MATCH($E$2+ROW(OFFSET($B$2,0,0,$E$3-$E$2+1))-2,$B$3:$B$7,0))
becomes
ISERROR({#N/A;1;#N/A;2;3;#N/A;#N/A;4;5;#N/A;#N/A})
and returns
{TRUE;FALSE; TRUE;FALSE; FALSE;TRUE; TRUE;FALSE; FALSE;TRUE; TRUE}.
Step 6 - Replace errors with numbers
The IF function converts TRUE to corresponding number.
IF(ISERROR(MATCH($E$2+ROW(OFFSET($B$2,0,0,$E$3-$E$2+1))-2,$B$3:$B$7,0)),$E$2+ROW(OFFSET($B$2,0,0,$E$3-$E$2+1))-2)
becomes
IF({TRUE;FALSE; TRUE;FALSE; FALSE;TRUE; TRUE;FALSE; FALSE;TRUE; TRUE},$E$2+ROW(OFFSET($B$2,0,0,$E$3-$E$2+1))-2)
becomes
IF({TRUE;FALSE; TRUE;FALSE; FALSE;TRUE; TRUE;FALSE; FALSE;TRUE; TRUE},{2000000;2000001;2000002;2000003;2000004;2000005;2000006;2000007;2000008;2000009;2000010})
and returns
{2000000; FALSE; 2000002; FALSE; FALSE; 2000005; 2000006; FALSE; FALSE; 2000009; 2000010}
Step 7 - Extract k-th smallest number
The SMALL function extracts the k-th smallest number, this makes the formula return a value in a cell each.
SMALL(IF(ISERROR(MATCH($E$2+ROW(OFFSET($B$2,0,0,$E$3-$E$2+1))-2,$B$3:$B$7,0)),$E$2+ROW(OFFSET($B$2,0,0,$E$3-$E$2+1))-2),ROW(A1))
becomes
SMALL({2000000; FALSE; 2000002; FALSE; FALSE; 2000005; 2000006; FALSE; FALSE; 2000009; 2000010},ROW(A1))
becomes
SMALL({2000000; FALSE; 2000002; FALSE; FALSE; 2000005; 2000006; FALSE; FALSE; 2000009; 2000010},1)
and returns 2000000 in cell D6.
Missing numbers (vba)
The macro demonstrated here let´s you select a cell range (values must be in a single column), start and end number.
A new sheet is created, values are sorted in the first column. The second column (B) contains all missing values.
VBA
Sub Missingvalues() Dim rng As Range Dim rng1 As Range Dim StartV As Double, EndV As Double, i As Double, j As Single Dim k() As Double Dim WS As Worksheet ReDim k(0) On Error Resume Next Set rng = Application.InputBox(Prompt:="Select a range:", _ Title:="Extract missing values", _ Default:=Selection.Address, Type:=8) StartV = InputBox("Start value:") EndV = InputBox("End value:") On Error GoTo 0 Set WS = Sheets.Add WS.Range("A1:A" & rng.Rows.CountLarge).Value = rng.Value With WS.Sort .SortFields.Add Key:=WS.Range("A1"), _ SortOn:=xlSortOnValues, Order:=xlAscending, DataOption:=xlSortNormal .SetRange Range("A1:A" & rng.Rows.CountLarge) .Header = xlNo .MatchCase = False .Orientation = xlTopToBottom .SortMethod = xlPinYin .Apply End With MsgBox "test" Set rng1 = WS.Range("A1:A" & rng.Rows.CountLarge) For i = StartV To EndV On Error Resume Next j = Application.Match(i, rng1) If Err = 0 Then If rng1(j, 1) <> i Then k(UBound(k)) = i ReDim Preserve k(UBound(k) + 1) End If Else k(UBound(k)) = i ReDim Preserve k(UBound(k) + 1) End If On Error GoTo 0 Application.StatusBar = i Next i WS.Range("B1") = "Missing values" WS.Range("B2:B" & UBound(k) + 1) = Application.Transpose(k) End Sub
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27 Responses to “Identify missing numbers in a column”
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hi,
how can we extend the same to 8000 rows in a column,
creating array formula as you said is not working
Select cell B5
Copy / Paste array formula
Press and hold Ctrl + Shift
Press Enter
Release all keys
what should i do to continue ,
any alternative method to copy the array formula
expecting a reply at the earliest
anchal j vattakunnel,
Adjust cell range (bolded)
=SMALL(IF(ISERROR(MATCH($C$1+ROW(OFFSET($A$1, 0, 0, $C$2-$C$1+1))-1, $A$2:$A$6, 0)), $C$1+ROW(OFFSET($A$1, 0, 0, $C$2-$C$1+1))-1), ROW(A1))
Just wanted to say thanks. This worked on a huge range of data that I had. Really appreciate it!
hi
i have 65000 nos in a column how can in find the missing nos. the above formula cannot work.... please help me to rectify the problem. very urgent...
I couldn't get the formula to work either, by changing the range. Could you please help me also with out using VBA?
Thanks
Kenneth G,
How large is your range?
1-3660
The formula should work. Can you provide your formula? Did you create an array formula?
was not hitting ctrl+shift+enter. it works now!
Dear All,
I have serial numbers from 1 to 40,000 entry in excel. In-between serial numbers there some missing numbers. How can I findout what are the missing numbers from large serial numbers i.e. 1 to 40,000.
For e.g. there are serial numbers 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10 like wise i have 60,000numbers. Here missing numbers are 3, 7. How I will findout missing numbers 3 & 7 easily.
Kindly help me.
With advance thanks.
Regards,
Nihar
XLRI
abu and ravi,
I have added a vba solution to this post: Missing numbers (vba)
I want to find missing numbers starting from 80000001 to 80003200, how to find it by VBA code, Excel gets hang after entering VBA code.
Chetan Sonawane,
Yes, you are right. Try the new file Find-missing-values-version2.xlsm. Link above.
I want to split one single coloum of approximately 12000 values into several coloums so that I can take print of such numbers on pages, plz help me on this. how to do it ?
Chetan Sonawane,
Adjust cell range Sheet1!$A$1:$A$151.
Get the Excel *.xlsx file
Rearrange-data-from-a-column-to-multiple-columns.xlsx
Thank you Oscar very much, due to your help my work is getting easy. I tried spliting 12935 values in Excel using MS Office 2007, but the file works very slowly , Shall I install MS Office 2010 ?, will it work more faster ? I want your Advice.
I want to find missing value staring with alphabets like B00001 to B11221, how to find it by VBA code, please post new code.
Dear sir,
I wish to find missing nos. starting with alphabets like S0001 to S1122, Please send the code.
How to find missing nos which starts with B0001 or S-001
Dear Osacar Sir,
Please send me solution for finding missing nos starting with J000001 or S000001
Chetan Sonawane,
Create a new column and remove J and S from your lists.
If your list is in column A, cell B1:
=RIGHT(A1,LEN(A1)-1)*1
Copy formula downwards as far as needed.
Start macro and use it on column B.
Dear Sir,
Instead of formula can you help me with VBA code, If you can please modify VBA code for finding missing nos starting with J000001 or S000001
How i can put values of missing sequential numbers?
Number values
1 30
4 20
missing number 2 having value 10
missing number 3 having value 50
Hi Oscar,
I have tried the Array Formula, however, when i hit CTRL+Shift+Enter nothing happens. All the fields are highlighted but it does not provide any info. Any ideas?
Please help
how to use multi user in single macro program sir
Hi,
Kindly assist in finding the missing number in a specific range with dash along with the numbers.
Sample data.
385-234-4980
Hi sir,
SMALL(IF(ISERROR(MATCH(ROW(INDIRECT($E$2&":"&$E$3)),$B$3:$B$7,0)),ROW(INDIRECT($E$2&":"&$E$3))),ROWS($D$8:D8))
Same concept but with different construction..,,