Curly Brackets in formula view

**VBSK8R** · 06-04-2012, 08:57 AM

Hello,

Below are to formulas checking for the instances of certain text prior to todays date. The top formula works (returns the correct number), the bottom formula does not (returns 0 (zero)). I have made a number of alterations but can not find the reason why it is not working:

WORKS:

=COUNT(1/FREQUENCY(IF($I$12:$I$20015<TODAY(),IF(ISNUMBER(MATCH(D12:D20015,{"Norfolk","Mayport"},0)),MATCH(D12:D20015&H12:H20015&I12:I20015,D12:D20015&H12:H20015&I12:I20015,0))),ROW(D12:D20015)-ROW(D12)+1))

DOES NOT WORK:

=COUNT(1/FREQUENCY(IF($I$12:$I$20015<TODAY(),IF(ISNUMBER(MATCH(D12:D20015,{"EUCOM","CENTCOM"},0)),MATCH(D12:D20015&H12:H20015&I12:I20015,D12:D20015&H12:H20015&I12:I20015,0))),ROW(D12:D20015)-ROW(D12)+1))

Please note that when viewing in the formula bar the working formula shows { } surrounding the in entire formula (opening prior to the =) and in the non-working it does not. I tried adding those but it just shows the formula as text. Appreciate any assistance.

**VBSK8R** · 06-04-2012, 09:19 AM

Jeff,

Sorry, been awhile, Title changed. Not sure if accurately captured the problem though?

Matt

**Cutter** · 06-04-2012, 09:23 AM

The curly brackets that enclose the entire formula are put there by Excel when the formula is confirmed with Ctrl+Shift+Enter instead of the usual Enter alone.
That is called an array formula.
Typing the curly brackets yourself, as you have seen, doesn't do it.