Excel Formula to Select the First Entry in a List

Formula

To select the first entry in a list, you can use the following Excel formula:

=INDEX(A:A, 1)

Explanation

• INDEX Function: The INDEX function returns a value from a specific position in a range or array.

  • Syntax: INDEX(array, row_number, [column_number])
    • array: The range of cells to evaluate (in this case, we refer to the entire column A).
    • row_number: The row number from which to retrieve the value (1 for the first entry).

• A:A: This specifies that the entire column A is the range to search for the first entry. Replace A:A with the specific range if your list is shorter (e.g., A1:A10).

Practical Example

Scenario

Suppose you have a list of product names in column A as follows:

Application

Using the formula =INDEX(A:A, 1) in another cell will return:

Product A

This indicates that the first entry in the list located in column A is "Product A".

This formula is applicable for retrieving the first entry of any list in Excel, thereby making it a fundamental tool for data analysis.

For further analysis and training on this topic, consider exploring resources available at Enterprise DNA Platform.