INDIRECT and MATCH and OFFSET?

Hi there!

Thanks in advance for any help on this but, I have a column of names and in the next column would like to return the previous name. I am trying to attach a brief xls but basically:
Col 1 Col2
NAME A = NO RESULT
NAME A = NO RESULT
NAME A = NO RESULT
NAME B = NAME A
NAME B = NAME A
NAME B = NAME A
NAME B = NAME A
NAME C = NAME B
NAME C = NAME B
NAME C = NAME B
etc

I have tried =INDIRECT("c" & ROW() - 1) and some various "OFFSET" formulas but because the list of name does not always follow a pattern the formula needs to be able to recognise the name and return the previous name. Make sense?

Many thanks, in advance

previous bowler xls.jpg

One way - in D2 drag copied down:

=IF(A2=1,"No Result",VLOOKUP(A2-1,A$2:C2,3,0))

You’re welcome!

It takes years of nerdy practice ...

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