Find the first & subsequent cells to contain text in a column & re

[M]

I have a column that contains empty cells and text. I want to return the row
reference of the cells that contain text. For example…

A2 = empty cell
A3 = empty cell
A4 = 2L
A5 = empty cell
A6 = 2W
A7 = empty cell
A8 = 2L2W
A9 = empty cell
A10 = empty cell
A11 = 2L2W
A12 = empty cell

The formula would return 4. Thanks to Luke I have…

{=MIN(IF(ISTEXT(A1:A12),ROW(A1:A12),FALSE))}

However I need to copy this formula down a column. The formula should return
4 then 6 then 8 then 11 etc. The blank cells are randomly placed. I can’t
sort the data as I have other equations in the sheet.

To add to this problem I need to repeat the row number if the original cell
contains 4 or more characters. So the formula should return 4 then 6 then 8
then 8 then 11 then 11 etc.

Thanks for your help.

 

[Mike H]

Hi,

Put his formula in any cell (except row 1). Drag down and it will return the
row numbers of columnA that have text. It will start producing #NUM errors
when it stops finding text in the range

=SMALL(IF(ISTEXT($A$1:$A$12),ROW($A$1:$A$12)),ROW()-ROW($D$1))


'This is an array formula which must be entered with CTRL+Shift+Enter and NOT
'just enter. If you do it correctly then Excel will put curly brackets around
'the formula{}. You can't type these yourself. If you Edit the ranges
'then you must re-enter as An array

Mike

 

[T. Valko]

Assume you want the results starting in cell C1.

Try this array formula** entered in C1 and copied down until you get blanks:

=IF(ROWS(C$1:C1)<=COUNTIF(A$1:A$12,"*"),SMALL(IF(ISTEXT(A$1:A$12),ROW(A$1:A$12)),ROWS(C$1:C1)),"")

This assumes your *REAL* data range does in fact start on row 1. If it
doesn't start on row 1 then we'll need to make a slight adjustment.

** array formulas need to be entered using the key combination of
CTRL,SHIFT,ENTER (not just ENTER). Hold down both the CTRL key and the SHIFT
key then hit ENTER.

As for your "complication", I don't think that can be done with a single
formula. If it can I'd love to see it!

 

[Mike H]

Jst realised my formula is over complicated,

Try this array entered

=SMALL(IF(ISTEXT($A$1:$A$12),ROW($A$1:$A$12)),ROW())

Mike

 

[Mike H]

Biff,

Just curious but what are you testing for in the first part of your formula,

=IF(ROWS(C$1:C1)<=COUNTIF(A$1:A$12,"*"),

why not just

=SMALL(IF(ISTEXT(A$1:A$12),ROW(A$1:A$12)),ROWS(C$1:C1))

what am I missing?

Mike

 

[T. Valko]

=IF(ROWS(C$1:C1)<=COUNTIF(A$1:A$12,"*"),

That's an error trap.

It's more efficient than:

=IF(ISERROR(SMALL(IF(ISTEXT(A$1:A$12),ROW(A$1:A$12)),ROWS(C$1:C1))),

COUNTIF(A$1:A$12,"*")

Returns the total number of *text* entries in the range and compares that
number to number of rows the formula is copied to:

=IF(ROWS(C$1:C1)<=COUNTIF(A$1:A$12,"*"),

If the number of rows the formula is copied to is greater than the total
number of text entries in the range then the formula returns a blank ("").
Otherwise, SMALL(...,n) would return a #NUM! error.

 

[Mike H]

Ah i see, I was happy to produce NUM errors with my formula when the matches
ran out but see this is tidier. Thank you.

Mike

 

[T. Valko]

You're welcome!

--
Biff
Microsoft Excel MVP

Ah i see, I was happy to produce NUM errors with my formula when the matches
ran out but see this is tidier. Thank you.

Mike

 

[M]

Thanks for your help however is there a solution to include repeating the row
number if there is more than 4 characters??

I have just tried Biff's reply. I enter the formula as an array in 1 cell
and then copy it down. This correctly lists the row numbers but does not
repeat (see the last bit of my first post)

Thanks again.

 

[Luke M]

Hi M!

Use Biff's formula in C1 (or mine, if you prefer), and then in C2:
=IF(OR(C1="",C1=MAX(IF(ISTEXT($A$1:$A$12),ROW($A$1:$A$12),FALSE))),"",IF(AND(LEN(INDEX($A$1:$A$12,C1))>=4,COUNTIF($C$1:C1,C1)<2),C1,MIN(IF(ISTEXT(OFFSET($A$1,C1,0,ROWS($A$1:$A$12)-C1)),ROW(OFFSET($A$1,C1,0,ROWS($A$1:$A$12)-C1)),FALSE))))

Again, this is an array formula. Not a very elegant formula but it works.
Note that there are several callouts to $a$1:$a$12 which you will need to
adjust as necessary.

 

[Ron Rosenfeld]

I have a column that contains empty cells and text. I want to return the row
reference of the cells that contain text. For example…

A2 = empty cell
A3 = empty cell
A4 = 2L
A5 = empty cell
A6 = 2W
A7 = empty cell
A8 = 2L2W
A9 = empty cell
A10 = empty cell
A11 = 2L2W
A12 = empty cell

The formula would return 4. Thanks to Luke I have…

{=MIN(IF(ISTEXT(A1:A12),ROW(A1:A12),FALSE))}

However I need to copy this formula down a column. The formula should return
4 then 6 then 8 then 11 etc. The blank cells are randomly placed. I can’t
sort the data as I have other equations in the sheet.

To add to this problem I need to repeat the row number if the original cell
contains 4 or more characters. So the formula should return 4 then 6 then 8
then 8 then 11 then 11 etc.

Thanks for your help.

Here's one way.

This formula must be **array-entered** in some row. Then fill down until you
start getting blanks.

"rng" refers to the range of interest. If you are using a version of Excel
prior to Excel 2007, rng cannot be an entire column (but could be
$A$1:$A$65535)

=IF(ISERR(ADDRESS(LARGE(ISTEXT(rng)*ROW(rng),
COUNTA(rng)+1-ROWS($1:1)),1,4)),"",ADDRESS(LARGE(
ISTEXT(rng)*ROW(rng),COUNTA(rng)+1-ROWS($1:1)),1,4))


To **array-enter** a formula, after entering
the formula into the cell or formula bar, hold down
<ctrl><shift> while hitting <enter>. If you did this
correctly, Excel will place braces {...} around the formula.

Then Fill Down until you start getting blanks.
--ron

 

[T. Valko]

That doesn't repeat the 11.

 

[Ron Rosenfeld]

I have a column that contains empty cells and text. I want to return the row
reference of the cells that contain text. For example…

A2 = empty cell
A3 = empty cell
A4 = 2L
A5 = empty cell
A6 = 2W
A7 = empty cell
A8 = 2L2W
A9 = empty cell
A10 = empty cell
A11 = 2L2W
A12 = empty cell

The formula would return 4. Thanks to Luke I have…

{=MIN(IF(ISTEXT(A1:A12),ROW(A1:A12),FALSE))}

However I need to copy this formula down a column. The formula should return
4 then 6 then 8 then 11 etc. The blank cells are randomly placed. I can’t
sort the data as I have other equations in the sheet.

To add to this problem I need to repeat the row number if the original cell
contains 4 or more characters. So the formula should return 4 then 6 then 8
then 8 then 11 then 11 etc.

Thanks for your help.

I already posted a formula solution to your first problem. For your
complication, it is easiest done using a VBA solution.

To enter this Macro (Sub), <alt-F11> opens the Visual Basic Editor.
Ensure your project is highlighted in the Project Explorer window.
Then, from the top menu, select Insert/Module and
paste the code below into the window that opens.

To use this Macro (Sub), <alt-F8> opens the macro dialog box. Select the macro
by name, and <RUN>.

=====================================
Option Explicit
Sub TextAdr()
Dim c As Range
Dim rSrc As Range
Dim rDest As Range
Dim i As Long
Dim lNumEntries As Long
Dim lNumResults As Long

Set rSrc = Range("RNG")
lNumEntries = Application.WorksheetFunction.CountA(rSrc)

Set rDest = Range("C1")
lNumResults = lNumEntries
For Each c In rSrc
If Len(c.Value) >= 4 Then
lNumResults = lNumResults + 1
End If
Next c

'clear destination cells +1
Range(rDest, rDest.Offset(lNumResults, 0)).ClearContents

'get addresses
i = 0
For Each c In rSrc
Select Case Len(c.Value)
Case Is >= 4
rDest.Offset(i, 0).Value = c.Address
rDest.Offset(i + 1, 0).Value = c.Address
i = i + 2
Case Is > 1
rDest.Offset(i, 0).Value = c.Address
i = i + 1
End Select
Next c
End Sub
===================================
--ron

 

[M]

Luke, this is very close to what I want but there are a couple of errors.
Unfortunately after a lot of head scratching I can’t alter it myself.

1)
When I replace all the references to the correct ones the formula returns a
“#REF!†error. I assume it is something to do with the offset but can’t work
it out.

Ref A1:A15 should be F37:F57.
This formula is entered into column M. My formula to find the first entry is
in row 87 and this formula starts in row 88 onwards

2)
If there are more then 4 characters in the last entry it does not repeat
(The repeat works fine as long as the last entry is less than 4 characters. I
am not sure if this can be solved or if I need to add a dummy entry that is
less than 4 characters??

Thanks again for your help. If there is a solution to the first point I can
start using the formula. Great!

 

[Ron Rosenfeld]

Thanks for your help however is there a solution to include repeating the row
number if there is more than 4 characters??

I have just tried Biff's reply. I enter the formula as an array in 1 cell
and then copy it down. This correctly lists the row numbers but does not
repeat (see the last bit of my first post)

Thanks again.

Did you see my previously posted VBA solution to this problem of yours?
--ron

 

[M]

Hi Ron,

Yes I have noticed your post (thanks for your help) however I have never
used VBA so don’t feel I know what I am doing and secondly other people in
the office have to use this spreadsheet so I want to make it as simple as
possible – copying a formula down a column – it can’t get any simpler!

thanks again for your help anyway.

 

[Ron Rosenfeld]

Hi Ron,

Yes I have noticed your post (thanks for your help) however I have never
used VBA so don’t feel I know what I am doing and secondly other people in
the office have to use this spreadsheet so I want to make it as simple as
possible – copying a formula down a column – it can’t get any simpler!

thanks again for your help anyway.

If you can't come up with a formula to do what you want, with the multiple
entries for size >=4, take another look at what I posted and the instructions.

If implemented as intended, it will automatically update your first sheet
without any formula copying, button pushing, etc. The "trigger" to do the
update would be merely making an entry on sheet 2.
--ron

 

[Luke M]

Hmm. One more attempt here
=IF(F87="","",IF(IF(AND(LEN(INDEX($F$1:$F$57,F87))>=4,COUNTIF($F$87:F87,F87)<2),F87,MIN(IF(ISTEXT(OFFSET($F$1,F87,0,ROWS($F$1:$F$57)-F87)),ROW(OFFSET($F$1,F87,0,ROWS($F$1:$F$57)-F87)),FALSE)))=0,"",IF(AND(LEN(INDEX($F$1:$F$57,F87))>=4,COUNTIF($F$87:F87,F87)<2),F87,MIN(IF(ISTEXT(OFFSET($F$1,F87,0,ROWS($F$1:$F$57)-F87)),ROW(OFFSET($F$1,F87,0,ROWS($F$1:$F$57)-F87)),FALSE)))))

Again, an array formula. I tried to setup my sheet as you described, data is
in rows 37-57. Ron's VBA solution is probably more elegant, but at least now
if you want a formula answer, you have one.

I must admit, this was an interesting challenge.

 

[Narnimar]

Hi Luke, I really amazed today when I look at here your solution wondering
about my unresolved issue which is closer to it. I dont know if it is right
on my part to put the question in between this discusion.
The data base is like this example:-
A B C D E F H
Item Val1 Val2 Val3 Bus 2 Val2
Car 2 blank 5 Cycle 35
Bus 1 2 1 Horse 1
Train blank blank 3
Flight blank blank 1
Cycle 20 35 Blank
Horse Blank 1 2

if I type Val2 in H1 the formula in column F should return a nonblank list
and its corresponding row value from column from column A as shown above. The
formula in F should be able to guess and return nonblank values from columns
B or C or D based on the value in H1 which would be header name of these
columns! This is possible? Any question please revert back. Please help me.

 

[T. Valko]

Try this...

You're subject line says find TEXT but your data is numeric assuming "blank"
means empty/blank cells.

B11 = column headers Valx
B27 data you want to extract

H1 = Valx

Create this defined range name...
Goto the menu Insert>Name>Define
Name: Table
Refers to: =$B$2:$D$7

Enter this formula in I1. It will return the count of records.

=COUNTA(INDEX(Table,,MATCH(H1,B11,0)))

Enter this array formula** in F1:

=IF(ROWS(F$1:F1)<=I$1,INDEX(Table,SMALL(IF(INDEX(Table,,MATCH(H$1,B$1$1,0))<>"",ROW(Table)),ROWS(F$1:F1))-MIN(ROW(Table))+1,MATCH(H$1,B$1$1,0)),"")

** array formulas need to be entered using the key combination of
CTRL,SHIFT,ENTER (not just ENTER). Hold down both the CTRL key and the SHIFT
key then hit ENTER.

Copy down to a number of rows that is at least equal to the maximum count of
entries in any of your Val columns. For example, the Val column with the
maximum number of entries is Val3 with 5 entries. So, you'd have to copy the
formula down to at least 5 rows.