Where “names” is the named range C5:C14, and “class” is the named range B5:B14. Note: this is an array formula and must be entered with control + shift + enter. Note MATCH is set up to perform an exact match by supplying zero for match type. For lookup value, we have: The LEN function returns an array of results (lengths), one for each name in the list where class = “A” from cell F5 : This effectively filters out all of Class B, and the MAX function then returns the largest value, 8. To construct a lookup array, we use the same approach: And get the same result: After LEN and MAX run, we have a MATCH formula with these values: MATCH then returns the position of 8 in the list, 3, which feeds into INDEX like this: Finally, INDEX dutifully returns the value in the 3rd position of names, which is “Jonathan”.
Dave Bruns
Hi - I’m Dave Bruns, and I run Exceljet with my wife, Lisa. Our goal is to help you work faster in Excel. We create short videos, and clear examples of formulas, functions, pivot tables, conditional formatting, and charts.
