INDEX MATCH wont return first match in a column

[monsierexcel]

Hello all i am stumped with this but this formula always returns the last * character in a list

{=IF(A2=""," ",INDEX(F2:F18,MATCH(TRUE,EXACT("*",E2:E18)),1))}

so regardless of the range i choose i always get the bottom result, in this example:

Bodyshop/Adhesive & Sealant always returns on the value when really i want the first value with * which is: Bodyshop/Primer/1 Pack Primer <tbody> </tbody>

<tbody>
</tbody>

	Bodyshop
	Bodyshop/Primer
*	Bodyshop/Primer/1 Pack Primer
	Bodyshop
	Bodyshop/Primer
*	Bodyshop/Primer/1 Pack Primer
	Bodyshop
*	Bodyshop/Activator/Hardener
	Bodyshop
	Bodyshop/Fillers
*	Bodyshop/Fillers/Standard Filler
	Bodyshop
*	Bodyshop/Adhesive & Sealant
	Bodyshop
*	Bodyshop/Adhesive & Sealant
	Bodyshop

<colgroup><col style="width:48pt" width="64"> <col style="mso-width-source:userset;mso-width-alt:11985;width:258pt" width="343"> </colgroup><tbody>
[TD="width: 64"]correct cat[/TD]
[TD="width: 343"]_category[/TD]

</tbody>

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[RoryA]

You need to specify 0 as the match type:

=IF(A2=""," ",INDEX(F2:F18,MATCH(TRUE,EXACT("*",E2:E18),0),1))

 

[monsierexcel]

thank you Rory! thats spot on

 

[RoryA]

Glad to help.