Have you ever wondered how to use the INDEX MATCH formula in Google Sheets to find the minimum, maximum, or specific value in every nth column? In this article, I will share a powerful technique that will allow you to do just that. So grab your favorite beverage, sit back, and prepare to unlock the full potential of Google Sheets!
The Scenario: Unleashing the Power of Every Nth Column
Picture this: you have a table with various columns, but you’re only interested in every nth column for specific purposes. For example, you might want to input totals of the columns to the left. How can you search for a value and return a corresponding value from a different row in those specific columns?
Let’s say you want to find the minimum value in every fourth column and return the corresponding quarter’s production from a different row. With the help of the INDEX MATCH formula, you can achieve this effortlessly.
INDEX MATCH Minimum Value in Every Nth Column in Google Sheets
To find the minimum value in every nth column, we will use the following formula:
=ARRAYFORMULA( LET( f_row, B2:Q2, r_row, B4:Q4, n, 4, test, MOD(SEQUENCE(1, COLUMNS(f_row)), n), fnl, IF(test = 0, f_row, ""), INDEX(r_row, 1, MATCH(MIN(fnl), fnl, 0)) ) )Let’s break down the formula components to understand how it works:
f_row(find row): The range of cells in row 2 (B2:Q2) that contains the values to match.r_row(return row): The range of cells in row 4 (B4:Q4) that contains the values to return.n: The number of columns to skip between each match. In this case, it’s set to 4 to find the minimum value in every fourth column.
By modifying these three arguments, you can apply this technique to find the maximum value or any other specific value in Google Sheets.
Handling Multiple Matching Values in Every Nth Column
The formula we discussed so far has one limitation: it can’t return multiple values. However, we have a solution for that. By using the FILTER function instead of INDEX MATCH, we can return all the matching values.
Simply replace INDEX(r_row, 1, MATCH(MIN(fnl), fnl, 0)) in the formula with FILTER(r_row, fnl = MIN(fnl)) to retrieve all the corresponding values.
Let’s Get Creative: Every Nth Column with Specific Criteria
Now let’s explore the possibilities beyond just finding the minimum or maximum values. You can use any condition, even text criteria, to match values in every nth column.
For example, let’s say you want to find whether an employee was present on any Sunday and, if so, retrieve the corresponding date. You can achieve this by modifying the formula as follows:
=ARRAYFORMULA( LET( f_row, B2:V2, r_row, B1:V1, n, 7, test, MOD(SEQUENCE(1, COLUMNS(f_row)), n), fnl, IF(test = 0, f_row, ""), INDEX(r_row, 1, MATCH("P", fnl, 0)) ) )In this case, f_row represents the range to match (B2:V2), r_row represents the offset range for the corresponding values (B1:V1), and n is set to 7 (as we’re looking for values in every seventh column). You can replace “P” with any condition or text criterion that suits your needs.
Conclusion: Unleash the Full Potential of INDEX MATCH in Google Sheets
Congratulations! You’ve just learned how to leverage the power of INDEX and MATCH functions in Google Sheets to find values in every nth column. With this technique, you can solve complex problems and extract valuable insights from your data.
Remember, the possibilities are endless. Whether you’re searching for minimum, maximum, or specific values, applying filters, or exploring various criteria, the INDEX MATCH formula is your go-to tool in Google Sheets.
To continue your journey in mastering Google Sheets and discovering more tips and tricks, visit Crawlan.com. Happy formula crafting, my friend!
