In this formula, the SEARCH function is used to search cells in column B like this: When SEARCH finds a match, it returns the position of the match in the cell being searched. When search can’t find a match, it returns the #VALUE error. Because we are giving SEARH more than one thing to look for, it will return more than one result. In the example shown, SEARCH returns an array of results like this: This array is then used as a divisor for the number 1. The result is an array composed of errors and decimal values. The errors represent things not found, and the decimal values represent things found. In the example shown, the array looks like this: This array serves as the “lookup_vector” for the LOOKUP function. The lookup value is supplied as the number 2, and the result vector is the named range “things”. This is the clever part. The formula is constructed in such a way so that the lookup vector will never contain a value larger than 1, while the the lookup value is 2. This means the lookup value will never be found. In this case, LOOKUP will match the last numeric value found in the array, which corresponds to the last “thing” found by SEARCH. Finally, using the named range “things” supplied as the result vector, LOOKUP returns the last thing found.
With hard-coded values
Using a range like “things” makes it easy to modify the list of search terms (and add more search terms), but it’s not a requirement. You can also hard-code values directly into the formula like this:
Dave Bruns
Hi - I’m Dave Bruns, and I run Exceljet with my wife, Lisa. Our goal is to help you work faster in Excel. We create short videos, and clear examples of formulas, functions, pivot tables, conditional formatting, and charts.
