Exceljet

Quick, clean, and to the point

Filter values in array formula

Excel formula: Filter values in array formula
Generic formula 
{=IF(ISNUMBER(MATCH(data,filter,0)),data)}
Summary 

To filter a data in an array formula (to exclude or require certain values), you can use an array formula based on the IF, MATCH, and ISNUMBER functions.

In the example shown, the formula in H5:

{=COUNT(IF(ISNUMBER(MATCH(data,filter,0)),data))}

where "data" is the named range B4:D11 and "filter" is the named range F4:F6.

Note: this is an array formula and must be entered with control + shift + enter.

Explanation 
  1. The MATCH function checks all values in the named range "data" against values in "filter"
  2. ISNUMBER converts matched values to TRUE and non-matched values to FALSE
  3. IF uses the array output in #2 above to filter values, excluding values in "filter"

The final array looks like this:

{1,FALSE,3;FALSE,4,FALSE;FALSE,FALSE,FALSE;1,FALSE,3;FALSE,FALSE,FALSE;3,FALSE,FALSE;FALSE,4,FALSE;FALSE,FALSE,4}

COUNT is only used to verify the result.

Filter to exclude

In cell H6 the formula has been modified to exclude values using 1-ISNUMBER like so:

=COUNT(IF(1-ISNUMBER(MATCH(data,filter,0)),data))

This effectively reverses the array output in step #2 above.

Author 
Dave Bruns
Related formulas 
Excel formula: Most frequently occurring text
Most frequently occurring text
Working from the inside out, the MATCH function matches the range against itself. That is, we give the MATCH function the same range for lookup value and lookup array (B5:F5). Because the lookup value contains more than one value (an array), MATCH...
Excel formula: List most frequently occuring numbers
List most frequently occuring numbers
The core of this formula is the MODE function, which returns the most frequently occurring number in a range or array. The rest of the formula just constructs a filtered array for MODE to use in each row. The expanding range $D$4:D4 works to exclude...
Related functions 
Excel ISNUMBER function
Excel ISNUMBER Function

The Excel ISNUMBER function returns TRUE when a cell contains a number, and FALSE if not. You can use ISNUMBER to check that a cell contains a numeric value, or that the result of another function is a number.

Excel MATCH function
Excel MATCH Function

MATCH is an Excel function used to locate the position of a lookup value in a row, column, or table. MATCH supports approximate and exact matching, and wildcards (* ?) for partial matches. Often, MATCH is combined...

Excel Formula Training

Formulas are the key to getting things done in Excel. In this accelerated training, you'll learn how to use formulas to manipulate text, work with dates and times, lookup values with VLOOKUP and INDEX & MATCH, count and sum with criteria, dynamically rank values, and create dynamic ranges. You'll also learn how to troubleshoot, trace errors, and fix problems. Instant access. See details here.

500 Formulas | 101 Functions

Download 200+ Excel Shortcuts

Get over 200 Excel shortcuts for Windows and Mac in one handy PDF.