Search single row range for multiple texts and return "blah" Excel 2003

I''m sorry, ashleyd...After NOT overwriting a person's post for many years, I've done it TWICE this month. (I think I'm overworked at my "real job"...Ron Coderre)

I created this model
N1:O9 contains this list

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In cells A1:K1

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Row_2 contains statuses from the N1:N9 list under the years
Example:

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Assuming that status entries follow a logical pattern, ending with Graduated....This regular formula calculates the appropriate status based on the Row_2 entries.:

Formula:

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(If the order is not quite right, adjust it until it is)

In the above example, that formula returns: Graduated.

Is that something you can work with.

Why7 dont you attach excel file with desired results. Like that you will get your answer in shorter time

I am sorry But I couldnt fully understand the problem but I think you wanna get words in N column appropriate with writtens in years columns. Status celll =
=VLOOKUP(INDEX($C2:$K2,MATCH(MAX(ISTEXT($C2:$K2)*$C$1:$K$1),$C1:$K1,0)),$N$1:$O$9,2,0) CSE

This formula takes data in last year and takes its realted info placed in N column.

Here is the formula:
=VLOOKUP(INDEX(E3:M3,MATCH(MAX((E3:M3<>"-")*$E$1:$M$1),$E$1:$M$1,0)),$N$1:$O$9,2,0) CSE

The formula answers match with your answers but City D - row 3