If cell equals value from list
This article demonstrates formulas that check if a cell value is equal to any value in a given list.
Table of Contents
1. If cell equals value from list - regular formula
Formula in cell C3:
Explaining formula in cell C3
Step 1 - Count cells based on condition
The COUNTIF function counts how many values in E3:E5 match cell B3, it returns 0 (zero) since "A" is not found in E3:A5.
COUNTIF(range, criteria)
COUNTIF($E$3:$E$5,B3)
becomes
COUNTIF({"B";"D";"H"},"A")
and returns 0 (zero).
Step 2 - Count cells based on condition
The IF function then returns "YES" if the logical expression is 1 or more, "No" if the logical expression returns 0 (zero).
IF(logical_test, [value_if_true], [value_if_false])
IF(COUNTIF($E$3:$E$5,B3),"Yes","No")
becomes
IF(0,"Yes","No") and returns "No" in cell C3.
2. If cell equals value from list - array formula
I recommend using the regular formula above, this array formula checks if cell B3 is equal to any of the values in E3:E5, the IF function returns Yes if one of the values is a match and No if none of the values match.
2.1 How to enter an array formula
To enter an array formula, type the formula in a cell and then press and hold CTRL + SHIFT simultaneously, now press Enter once. Release all keys.
The formula bar now shows the formula enclosed with curly brackets telling you that you entered the formula successfully. Don't enter the curly brackets yourself.
2.2 Explaining formula in cell C3
Step 1 - Compare values
The equal sign compares the value in cell B3 with each value in cell range E3:E5.
B3=$E$3:$E$5
becomes
"A"={"B";"D";"H"}
and returns
{FALSE; FALSE; FALSE}. If the cell matches a value in E3:E5 it returns TRUE, if not FALSE. In this case, all logical expressions return FALSE.
Step 2 - Evaluate OR function
The OR function returns TRUE if at least one argument is TRUE.
OR(logical1, [logical2])
OR(B3=$E$3:$E$5)
becomes
OR({FALSE; FALSE; FALSE})
and returns FALSE. The OR function returns FALSE since all arguments are FALSE.
Step 3 - Evaluate IF function
The IF function returns "YES" if the logical expression is TRUE, "No" if the logical expression is FALSE.
IF(logical_test, [value_if_true], [value_if_false])
IF(OR(B3=$E$3:$E$5),"Yes","No")
IF(FALSE,"Yes","No")
and returns "No". The IF function then returns No in cell C3.
Alternative regular formula
The INDEX function changes the above formula into a regular formula.
The INDEX and SUMPRODUCT functions have this characteristic, you just have to know when and where to apply them.
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4. If cell equals value from list case sensitive
Formula in cell C3:
=IF(OR(EXACT(B3, $E$3:$E$5)), "Yes", "No")
4.1 Explaining formula in cell C3
Step 1 - Identify equal values case sensitive
The EXACT function lets you compare values also considering upper and lower cases.
EXACT(text1, text2)
EXACT(B3, $E$3:$E$5)
becomes
EXACT("A", {"b"; "D"; "H"})
and returns
{FALSE; FALSE; FALSE}.
Step 2 - Evaluate OR function
The OR function returns TRUE if at least one argument is TRUE.
OR(logical1, [logical2])
OR(EXACT(B3, $E$3:$E$5))
becomes
OR({FALSE; FALSE; FALSE})
and returns FALSE.
Step 3 - Evaluate IF function
The IF function returns "YES" if the logical expression is TRUE, "No" if the logical expression is FALSE.
IF(logical_test, [value_if_true], [value_if_false])
IF(OR(EXACT(B3, $E$3:$E$5)), "Yes", "No")
becomes
IF(FALSE, "Yes", "No")
and returns "No".
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How do you combine two of these statements? Eg Col B is Item, Col C is Area, and Col E is selected Items and Col F is selected Areas. If you wanted to see if the first entry on E and F existed in the same row in B and C, then it would mark 'Yes' and 'No for those that don't.