Consecutive & Multiplicative =IF statement

**Bellefeu** · 12-28-2018, 01:23 AM

Been a long going excel user, which means I rarely come across something I can't immediately figure out. That being said, I can't think of an easy way to solve this =IF statement; hopefully this is super easy and I'm just being silly :p

I'm trying to determine the % gain and % loss from a string of consecutive negatives or positives, and more specifically the largest string for both negatives and positives. For example, if I have a list: 22%, 12%, 13%, (-)18%, 2%, 4%, (-)2%, (-)5%, (-)10%, 12%, 1%, etc. etc., I want to find the strings of positives (22,12,13 and 2,4) and multiply them one by one to determine a %gain to initial after those three and two transactions; the same goes for the negative strings (-2,-5,-10). Because 22,12,13 is a string of three versus 2,4 a string of two, I want to only find the gain for the string 22,12,13.

Here's what I've got for counting the longest string so far:

=ArrayFormula(MAX(FREQUENCY(IF(B10:B98<0%,ROW(B10:B98)),IF(B10:B98>=0%,ROW(B10:B98))))) [changing the inequalities for + and - values]

Because I can't just sum the string (sum of % isn't compounded gain or loss), I can't think of an easy way to find the longest string (which may or may not be the largest or smallest value).

Any input is greatly appreciated

**AliGW** · 12-28-2018, 02:56 AM

Welcome to the forum!

Please attach a sample workbook.

1. Make sure that your sample data are REPRESENTATIVE of your real data. The use of unrepresentative data is very frustrating and can lead to long delays in reaching a solution.

2. Make sure that your desired results are also shown (mock up the results manually).

3. Make sure that all confidential data is removed or replaced with dummy data first (e.g. names, addresses, E-mails, etc.).

4. Try to avoid using merged cells as they cause lots of problems.

Unfortunately the attachment icon doesn't work at the moment, so to attach an Excel file you have to do the following: just before posting, scroll down to Go Advanced and then scroll down to Manage Attachments. Now follow the instructions at the top of that screen.

Please pay particular attention to point 2 (above): without an idea of your intended outcomes, it is often very difficult to offer appropriate advice.

**Bellefeu** · 12-28-2018, 05:06 AM

First of all, thank you! Second of all, my initial post is horrendous on second glance. Was flustered after a few hours of coding. Yikes!

Attached to this <----- post is an example doc. I'm *pretty* sure I've figured it out, as I managed to make an awfully convoluted =IF statement that was able to be copied down the row.

However, if there are any easier methods for the future, or if I'm still on the wrong track, I would love to hear them!

Key IF lines:
=IF($A5<0%,IF($A6<0%,((1+$A5)*$A2)*(1+$A6),$A2),IF($A6>0%,((1+$A5)*$A2)*(1+$A6),$A2))
=IF($C5<>$A$2,IF($A6<0%,IF($A7<0%,((1+$A7)*$C5),$A$2),IF($A7>0%,((1+$A7)*$C5),$A$2)),IF($A6<0%,IF($A7<0%,((1+$A6)*$A$2)*(1+$A7),$A$2),IF($A7>0%,((1+$A6)*$A$2)*(1+$A7),$A$2)))

[If previous line does not equal original then =chain, check previous line for the same inequality as current, compound. If not, return to original value A2. If previous line is A2, then new chain begins. Check next line for same inequality as current. Compound, otherwise return A2]
repeat**^^