Excel Formula for Identifying Row of Selected Record from Dropdown

Objective

To create an Excel formula that identifies and returns the row number of a selected record from a dropdown list.

Steps

1. Create a Dropdown List

• Assume the records are in cells A2:A10.
• Use Data Validation to create a dropdown list in cell B1:
  • Select cell B1.
  • Go to the Data tab.
  • Click on Data Validation.
  • Choose List from the Allow dropdown.
  • Specify the range for the dropdown list as A2:A10.

2. Formula to Determine the Row Number

To find the row number of the selected value from the dropdown in cell B1, use the following formula in cell C1:

=MATCH(B1, A2:A10, 0) + 1

Formula Explanation

• MATCH(B1, A2:A10, 0):

  • This function searches for the value in cell B1 within the range A2:A10.
  • It returns the relative position of the matched value within that range.

• + 1:

  • Since the MATCH function returns a position relative to the specified range (starting from 1 for A2), adding 1 accounts for the header row (assuming A1 is a header), providing the actual row number in the spreadsheet.

Practical Example

• Assume your sheet looks like this:

1. The dropdown list in cell B1 allows selection from Apple, Banana, Cherry, Date, etc.
2. If 'Apple' is selected in cell B1, the formula in C1 using =MATCH(B1, A2:A10, 0) + 1 will return 3, indicating that 'Apple' is found in row 3 of the spreadsheet.

Conclusion

This structured approach allows you to effectively identify row numbers corresponding to selections made from a dropdown list in Excel, facilitating better data analysis and organization. For further mastery in Excel formulas and functionalities, consider exploring courses on the Enterprise DNA Platform.