Issue with using MATCH to find date earlier than specific date in table

[Sprucie]

I am using the following formula in excel and it is returning an N/A error when I try to use it - I have tried to find out the solution to why this is happening but I have no ideas anymore!

The formula is:

=INDEX(Table3[DATE],MATCH(J12,Table3[DATE],1))

The Table3 DATE column has dates ranging from 04/10/16 back to 12/09/16, and the date within J12 is 26/09/16. I believe my formula should be looking for a date earlier than 26/09/16 within the DATE column, which as stated above there are, but instead it returns with an N/A error. Can you please point me to the issue?

Many thanks in advance,

Sprucie

 

[Sprucie]

From the date column image it appears to me that your dates are not arranged in ascending order (oldest date to newest date). They seem to be in descending order. Try sorting them ascending - that's what the form of MATCH you are using requires.

I'm an idiot, that has solved it thank you!

 

[JoeMo]

I'm an idiot, that has solved it thank you!

You are welcome. This is a good example of why posting some sample data in the original post can expedite finding a solution. Had that happened here we would have ended the thread at post #2.