How can I generate numbers in patterns such as 1,2,1,2,3,4,3,4,5,6,5,6,7,8,7,8... in Excel

[zzxxclc]

How can I generate numbers in patterns such as 1,2,1,2,3,4,3,4,5,6,5,6,7,8,7,8... in Excel?

Thank you for your help in advance!

[MrShorty]

What is the "rule" for the pattern? If I follow correctly, the rule is:

0) Start with seed value.
1) Add 1
2) subtract 1
3) add 1
4) add 1
5) Go to step 1

Here's how I would implement the above algorithm in a spreadsheet.

1) Enter my seed value in my desired starting cell. I chose A3. In A2 I enter "seed" to remind me what is supposed to go in A3.
2) In row 2, I will enter the desired value to add at each step.
2a) In B2, I enter 1.
2b) In C2, I enter -1.
2c) In D2, i enter 1
2d) In E2, I enter 1.
2e) From here, I am just repeating the values, so I enter =B2 into F2, and copy/paste/fill across as far as I want the series to exist.
3) Calculate the series in row 3. In B3, I enter =A3+B2. Copy/paste/fill across as far as I want.

Does something like that work for you? What works and what doesn't work?

[leelnich]

The first 4 values set a pattern. In the diagram below, A1:A4 are entered manually. In A5, enter this formula:

=A1+2

and drag down as far as required.

Row\Col	A
1	1
2	2
3	1
4	2
5	3
6	4
7	3
8	4
9	5
10	6
11	5
12	6
13	7
14	8
15	7
16	8
17	9
18	10
19	9
20	10

[zzxxclc]

I believe your approach is easier but I'm not allowed to enter values manually for the first 4 rows. I really appreciate your help though!

[MarvinP]

Hi zzxxclc and welcome to the forum,

How about a formula in the first cell and pull it down? Try this formula.

=ROUNDUP(ROW()/4,0)+IF(ISEVEN(ROW()),1,0)+INT((ROW()-1)/4)

in the attached:
Two Step Counts.xlsm

[zzxxclc]

It worked! Thank you so much for your help