Return unique values while ignoring blanks.

Clayton Richards

Hello!

I'm trying to find a function similar to vlookup or index that will return a unique value where there are duplicate search values. In this example, individuals book a desk on a given date. Since form submissions create a new row, the bookings flow in like this:

Sheet # 1

My goal is now to collect these bookings on a separate sheet, this time organizing bookings by date. For example:

Sheet # 2

Since there are multiple bookings on the same date, traditional vlookup functions, data mesh, and others I've tried do not seem to work. I last attempted this function that I borrowed from a google search to extract only unique values. Working only within the "Desk 1" column, for now. I replaced named ranges w/ column names here to help things make sense.

=IFERROR(INDEX({Sheet # 1 [Desk 1]}, MATCH(0, COUNTIF(Date@row, IF({Sheet# 1 [Date]} = Date@row, {Sheet #1 [Desk # 1]}, Date@row)), 0)), "ERROR")

This function returns "ERROR" every time. Any thoughts/improvements? Would SS Pivot accomplish this same task?

THANK YOU!

-Clay

Paul Newcome

Try this instead...

=IFERROR(INDEX(COLLECT({Sheet 1 Desk 1}, {Sheet 1 Desk 1}, @cell <> "", {Sheet 1 Date}, @cell = Date@row), 1), "ERROR")

Paul Newcome

Try this...

=IFERROR(INDEX({Sheet 1 Desk 1}, MATCH(Date@row, {Sheet 1 Date}, 0)), "ERROR")

Clayton Richards

Thanks so much, @Paul Newcome !

This is closer to the solution, but doesn't capture everyone. I suspect that the duplicate search values on sheet #1 are still throwing it off. Is there any way around that?

Results from testing your function on sheet #2:

Thanks again! Hoping there's a way to only pull out the unique values among all of the blanks for each date on sheet #1.

-Clay

Paul Newcome

Try this instead...

=IFERROR(INDEX(COLLECT({Sheet 1 Desk 1}, {Sheet 1 Desk 1}, @cell <> "", {Sheet 1 Date}, @cell = Date@row), 1), "ERROR")

Clayton Richards

@Paul Newcome !!!

I changed the "ERROR" message to "VACANT". Its so beautiful I could cry. Thank you, sir!

-Clay

Paul Newcome

Happy to help. 👍️