If cell contains multiple values
The array formula in cell C3 checks if text string in B3 contains all values in F2:F3.
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.
Explaining formula in cell C3
The SEARCH function returns the character position of a substring in a text string, it returns an error if not found.
SEARCH($F$2:$F$3,B3)
becomes
SEARCH({"D";"U"},"A, U, G, E")
and returns {#VALUE!;4}.
THE COUNT function counts the number of values that contain a number, it conveniently also ignores errors.
COUNT(SEARCH($F$2:$F$3,B3))
becomes
COUNT({#VALUE!;4}) and returns 1. Only one value in the array is a number.
Lastly, the equal sign compares the output with number 2. COUNT(SEARCH($F$2:$F$3,B3))=2
becomes
1=2 and returns FALSE in cell C3.
Modify formula to check if at least one value is found
If you want the formula to return TRUE if at least one value is found change the formula to:
The possibilities are endless here if you want the formula to return TRUE if at least 2 out of 3 values are found, change the formula to:
Regular formula
This formula is slightly larger but has an advantage of being a regular formula.
Download Excel *.xlsx file
If cell contains multiple values.xlsx
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2 Responses to “If cell contains multiple values”
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Here is another normally-entered formula that can be used to check if the F2 and F3 values are both in the cell in Column B...
=COUNTIFS(B3,"*"&F$2&"*",B3,"*"&F$3&"*")=1
Rick Rothstein,
I never gave the COUNTIFS function a thought, thank you for commenting.