5 MUST-KNOW ARRAY FORMULAS FOR ADVANCED USERS

Array formulas (or CSE formulas, for Ctrl+Shift+Enter, though dynamic arrays have changed this) are powerful tools in Excel that allow you to perform complex calculations on ranges of cells, often without the need for helper columns. While dynamic array functions have made many traditional array formulas simpler, understanding the core concepts and applications of array formulas is still crucial for advanced users.

5 Must-Know Array Formulas For Advanced Users

Here are five must-know concepts or applications of array formulas.

• Performing Calculations on Multiple Criteria (SUM/AVERAGE/COUNTIFs with AND/OR Logic)

  Traditional SUMIFS, AVERAGEIFS, and COUNTIFS are limited to AND logic. Array formulas allow you to combine criteria with OR logic or more complex conditions.

  Example: To sum sales where product is "A" OR "B":

  =SUM(IF((ProductRange="A")+(ProductRange="B"), SalesRange))

  (Enter with Ctrl+Shift+Enter for older Excel versions; works as dynamic array in newer versions)

  
  

• Extracting Unique Values from a List (Pre-UNIQUE Function)

  Before the UNIQUE function, array formulas were the primary way to get a distinct list of items from a column.

  Example: To list unique items from a range (assuming your range is A2:A100 and you have a helper column for count):

  =INDEX(A:A, MATCH(0, COUNTIF($B$1:B1, A:A), 0)) (entered with Ctrl+Shift+Enter, then dragged down)

  Note: Now much simpler with =UNIQUE(Range)

  
  

• Finding the Nth Largest/Smallest Value with Conditions

  LARGE and SMALL functions find the Nth largest/smallest value. Combining them with IF in an array formula allows for conditional ranking.

  Example: To find the 2nd largest sales value for "East" region:

  =LARGE(IF(RegionRange="East", SalesRange), 2)

  (Enter with Ctrl+Shift+Enter)

  
  

• Transposing Data with TRANSPOSE (Pre-Dynamic Arrays)

  The TRANSPOSE function, when used as an array formula, allows you to switch rows to columns or columns to rows.

  Example: If your data is in A1:C3, select 3 columns and 3 rows where you want the transposed data, then type =TRANSPOSE(A1:C3) and press Ctrl+Shift+Enter.

  Note: Now works as a dynamic array with just Enter.

  
  

• Performing Lookups with Multiple Criteria (Pre-XLOOKUP/INDEX MATCH with Array)

  Before XLOOKUP and with more complex criteria than SUMIFS or COUNTIFS can handle, array formulas combined with INDEX and MATCH were essential for multi-conditional lookups.

  Example: To lookup sales based on both "Product" and "Region":

  =INDEX(SalesRange, MATCH(1, (ProductRange=ProdVal)*(RegionRange=RegionVal), 0))

  (Enter with Ctrl+Shift+Enter)

  
  

While dynamic array functions (UNIQUE, FILTER, SORT, XLOOKUP etc.) have simplified many of these tasks for modern Excel versions, understanding the principles of array formulas remains a fundamental skill. They provide insight into how Excel handles ranges and conditions, which is invaluable for troubleshooting and building complex solutions in any Excel environment.