Formula Help

[ststern45]

Hi everyone,

I would like to find a formula that will calculate how may cells back when a digit appeared.

For example,
A1 = 2
B1 = 2
C1 = 2

2-2-2
9-7-0
8-1-3
1-4-3
7-3-5
9-2-9
6-6-8
2-0-7
1-4-8
7-7-2

Step1: Count how many cells back until the 1st digit 2. In this example the 1st 2 is 5 cells back (9-2-9)
Step2: Count how many cells back until the 2nd digit 2. In this example the 2nd 2 is 7 cells back (2-0-7)
Step3: Count how many cells back until the 3rd digit 2. In this example the 3rd 2 is 9 cells back (7-7-2)

So cell
D1 = 5 cells back
E1 = 7 cells back
F1 = 9 cells back

Thanks in advance!!

 

[Peter_SSs]

1. Could you give a couple more examples of sample data and expected results?

2. Is the 7-7-2 in your sample above all in one cell or does that mean A10=7, B10=7, C10=2?

 

[ststern45]

Hi Peter,

7-7-2 is at the bottom of the list.
Your correct A10 = 7, B10=7, and C10=2

Example 1

A1=9
B1=1
C1=5

9-1-5
4-0-4
2-2-9
5-0-8
4-5-4
4-4-0
5-1-4

D1= 2 (5-0-8)
E1= 6 (5-1-4)
F1= 6 (5-1-4)

Example 2:

A1=7
B1=8
C1=8

7-8-8
3-8-2
1-9-0
9-2-9
7-4-6
2-2-1
4-7-9
2-0-3
7-8-7

C1=4 (7-4-6) The 1st digit 7
D1=1 (3-8-2)
E1=8 (7-8-7) The 2nd digit 7

If you need additional examples let me know.
Thanks!!

 

[ststern45]

Hi Peter,

Calculating repeat digits from the original set such as 3 exact digits 3-3-3 or 2 digits that are the same such as 7-8-8 (see example below) are tricky. My calculations which are incorrect on my spreadsheet always pick up the same "repeat" digit. So in essence when calculating the 2nd repeat digit we need to skip the 1st calculation and find the 2nd. Same as when a set has 3 exact digits such as 3-3-3, I need to find the 1st, then the second by skipping the 1st calculation, then the 3rd by skipping the 1st and 2nd calculations. I have a function that will actually calculate the final value correctly but I need to calculate each position 1, 2, and 3.

=howfar3($A1:$C70,3)
Ctrl-Shft-Enter

Public Function HowFar3(ByVal MyRange As Range, ByVal MyCount As Long)
Dim MyData As Variant, i As Long, j As Long, k As Long

MyData = MyRange.Value
For i = 2 To UBound(MyData)
For j = 1 To 3
For k = 1 To 3
If MyData(i, j) = MyData(1, k) Then
MyCount = MyCount - 1
MyData(1, k) = "x"
If MyCount = 0 Then
HowFar3 = i - 1
Exit Function
End If
Exit For
End If
Next k
Next j
Next i

HowFar = ""
End Function

7-7-2 is at the bottom of the list.
Your correct A10 = 7, B10=7, and C10=2

Example 1

A1=9
B1=1
C1=5

9-1-5
4-0-4
2-2-9
5-0-8
4-5-4
4-4-0
5-1-4

D1= 2 (5-0-8)
E1= 6 (5-1-4)
F1= 6 (5-1-4)

Example 2:

A1=7
B1=8
C1=8

7-8-8
3-8-2
1-9-0
9-2-9
7-4-6
2-2-1
4-7-9
2-0-3
7-8-7

C1=4 (7-4-6) The 1st digit 7
D1=1 (3-8-2)
E1=8 (7-8-7) The 2nd digit 7

If you need additional examples let me know.
Thanks!!

 

[theBardd]

I think I get the general principle, but some of your examples confuse me.

I am sure this can be improved upon, but s a start does this give the correct results?

=IFERROR(IFERROR(MATCH(A1,$A$2:$A$1000,0),MATCH(A1,$B$2:$B$1000,0)),MATCH(A1,$C$2:$C$1000,0))

 

[Peter_SSs]

Example 1

A1=9
B1=1
C1=5

9-1-5
4-0-4
2-2-9
5-0-8
4-5-4
4-4-0
5-1-4

D1= 2 (5-0-8)
E1= 6 (5-1-4)
F1= 6 (5-1-4)

I am assuming this example is a mistake and that F1 should be 3 since there is a 5 in row 4 (5-0-8)

If that is the case then you could try this UDF

Function HowFarBack(MyRange As Range, myCol As Long) As Variant
  Dim MyData As Variant
  Dim i As Long, j As Long, k As Long, c As Long
  
  MyData = MyRange.Value
  For i = 1 To myCol
    If MyData(1, i) = MyData(1, myCol) Then k = k + 1
  Next i
  HowFarBack = ""
  For i = 2 To UBound(MyData)
    For j = 1 To 3
      If MyData(i, j) = MyData(1, myCol) Then
        HowFarBack = i - 1
        c = c + 1
        If c = k Then Exit Function
      End If
    Next j
  Next i

Used in the sheet like this, copied across.

Excel Workbook
	A	B	C	D	E	F
1	2	2	2	5	7	9
2	9	7	0
3	8	1	3
4	1	4	3
5	7	3	5
6	9	2	9
7	6	6	8
8	2	0	7
9	1	4	8
10	7	7	2
11
Count Back

 

[Peter_SSs]

Actually, if all your values are single digits per your examples, then you could use a formula using standard worksheet functions like this, copied across.

Excel Workbook
	A	B	C	D	E	F
1	2	2	2	5	7	9
2	9	7	0
3	8	1	3
4	1	4	3
5	7	3	5
6	9	2	9
7	6	6	8
8	2	0	7
9	1	4	8
10	7	7	2
11
Count Back

 

[Snakehips]

I was about to post my UDF solution this morning, only to find that Peter had pipped me to it. So I didn't bother.
A quick test appeared to show both giving a similar result other than Peter's returned blank, "", if a search number did not exist whereas mine returns "X"

Subsequently, I have noticed that there is a condition, such as there only being two 2's in the sample data, where mine returns "X" as in no additional match and Peters's returns 9 for column 3, which is a duplicate of the return for column 2.

Hence I post my solution in case it is of value.

Excel 2010
	A	B	C	D	E	F
1	2	2	2	7	9	X
2	9	7	0	7	9	9
3	8	1	3
4	1	4	3
5	7	3	5
6	9	9	9
7	6	6	8
8	2	0	7
9	1	4	8
10	7	7	2
Sheet1

Cell Formulas
Range	Formula
D1	=HowFar3($A1:$C70,COLUMNS($D:D))
D2	=HowFarBack($A$1:$C$70,COLUMNS($D:D))

Public Function HowFar3(ByVal MyRange As Range, ByVal MyCol As Long)

Dim MyData As Variant, i As Long, j As Long, k As Long
Dim GotOne As Integer
MyData = MyRange.Value
    For k = 1 To 3  'for ABC columns loop of row 1
    GotOne = 0
        For i = 2 To UBound(MyData) 'rows 2 to last row
                    For j = 1 To 3  ' for ABC loop of rows 2 to last
                        If MyData(i, j) = MyData(1, k) Then  ' if match
                            'MsgBox MyData(i, j)
                            MyData(1, k) = i - 1
                             MyData(i, j) = "x"  ' to exclude it from other comparisons
                             GotOne = 1
                            Exit For
                         End If
                    Next j
        If GotOne = 1 Then Exit For
        Next i
        If GotOne = 0 Then MyData(1, k) = "X"
    Next k
HowFar3 = MyData(1, MyCol)
End Function

I don't have CONCAT function so have not tested Peter's formula solution.

Hope that helps.

 

[ststern45]

Pete,
Great work as always!!
Formulas and code work super.

Thank you so much!!

 

[Peter_SSs]

Pete,
Great work as always!!
Formulas and code work super.

Thank you so much!!

You're welcome. Glad to help.

.. if a search number did not exist ..

Based on the OP's samples I made the assumption that such a circumstance would not occur. If it can, I would certainly want to modify the code.