Listing Unique Observations

Hi,

I am interested in developing a worksheet formula that list each unique
observation from a dataset as it is dragged down. I am aware that both
autofilter and pivot tables are capable of doing this, but I want an actual
worksheet function.

For instance, I have the following dataset (starting in cell A1):

Apple
Banana
Orange
Apple
Apple
Banana
Pear
Mango

As the function is dragged down (starting with cell C1), it would return the
following observations (does not have to be in this order):

Apple
Banana
Orange
Pear
Mango

I have previously develoed the following worksheet function to count unique
observations:

=SUMPRODUCT((A1:A8<>"")/(COUNTIF(A1:A8,A1:A8)+(A1:A8="")))

(the function returns 5)

Your help is greatly appreciated!


Thanks,
Henrik

The easiest way would be to use data>filter>advanced filter, select the
range and
check unique records only and copy to another location

For a formula: in B2 (it cannot start in the first row)

=INDEX($A$1:$A$8,MATCH(0,COUNTIF($B$1:B1,$A$1:$A$8),0))

enter it with ctrl + shift & enter and copy down until you get an error

However I would go with advanced filter

--
Regards,

Peo Sjoblom

(No private emails please, for everyone's
benefit keep the discussion in the newsgroup/forum)



"Henrik" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Hi,
>
> I am interested in developing a worksheet formula that list each unique
> observation from a dataset as it is dragged down. I am aware that both
> autofilter and pivot tables are capable of doing this, but I want an
> actual
> worksheet function.
>
> For instance, I have the following dataset (starting in cell A1):
>
> Apple
> Banana
> Orange
> Apple
> Apple
> Banana
> Pear
> Mango
>
> As the function is dragged down (starting with cell C1), it would return
> the
> following observations (does not have to be in this order):
>
> Apple
> Banana
> Orange
> Pear
> Mango
>
> I have previously develoed the following worksheet function to count
> unique
> observations:
>
> =SUMPRODUCT((A1:A8<>"")/(COUNTIF(A1:A8,A1:A8)+(A1:A8="")))
>
> (the function returns 5)
>
> Your help is greatly appreciated!
>
>
> Thanks,
> Henrik

Assuming that Column A contains your list...

B2, copied down:

=INDEX(A1:$A$8,MATCH(0,COUNTIF($B$1:B1,A1:$A$8),0))

....confirmed with CONTROL+SHIFT+ENTER.

Note that cell B1 should be left empty.

Hope this helps!

In article <[email protected]>,
Henrik <[email protected]> wrote:

> Hi,
>
> I am interested in developing a worksheet formula that list each unique
> observation from a dataset as it is dragged down. I am aware that both
> autofilter and pivot tables are capable of doing this, but I want an actual
> worksheet function.
>
> For instance, I have the following dataset (starting in cell A1):
>
> Apple
> Banana
> Orange
> Apple
> Apple
> Banana
> Pear
> Mango
>
> As the function is dragged down (starting with cell C1), it would return the
> following observations (does not have to be in this order):
>
> Apple
> Banana
> Orange
> Pear
> Mango
>
> I have previously develoed the following worksheet function to count unique
> observations:
>
> =SUMPRODUCT((A1:A8<>"")/(COUNTIF(A1:A8,A1:A8)+(A1:A8="")))
>
> (the function returns 5)
>
> Your help is greatly appreciated!
>
>
> Thanks,
> Henrik

Insert 2 rows before the current row such that A3:A10 comes house the
sample you provided.

In A2 enter: Item (or some such)

In B2 enter: 0 (This 0 is required.)

In B3 enter & copy down:

=IF((A3<>"")*ISNA(MATCH(A3,$A$2:A2,0)),LOOKUP(9.99999999999999E+307,$B$2:B2)+1,"")

In C1 enter:

=LOOKUP(9.99999999999999E+307,B:B)

Note that this gives you a count of unique/distinct items in A.

In C2 enter: D-List (from Distinct List, or some such)

In *C3* enter & copy down:

=IF(ROW()-ROW(C$3)+1<=$C$1,LOOKUP(ROW()-ROW(C$3)+1,B:B,A:A),"")

Henrik wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I am interested in developing a worksheet formula that list each unique
> observation from a dataset as it is dragged down. I am aware that both
> autofilter and pivot tables are capable of doing this, but I want an actual
> worksheet function.
>
> For instance, I have the following dataset (starting in cell A1):
>
> Apple
> Banana
> Orange
> Apple
> Apple
> Banana
> Pear
> Mango
>
> As the function is dragged down (starting with cell C1), it would return the
> following observations (does not have to be in this order):
>
> Apple
> Banana
> Orange
> Pear
> Mango
>
> I have previously develoed the following worksheet function to count unique
> observations:
>
> =SUMPRODUCT((A1:A8<>"")/(COUNTIF(A1:A8,A1:A8)+(A1:A8="")))
>
> (the function returns 5)
>
> Your help is greatly appreciated!
>
>
> Thanks,
> Henrik