Excel formula: Last row in mixed data with blanks

Generic formula

{=MATCH(2,1/(range<>""))}

Explanation

To get the last relative position (i.e. last row, last column) for mixed data that may contain empty cells, you can use the MATCH function as described below.

Note: this is an array formula and must be entered with Control+Shift+Enter.

In the example shown, the formula in E5 is:

{=MATCH(2,1/(B4:B10<>""))}

Last relative position, not row on worksheet

When constructing more advanced formulas, it's often necessary to figure out the last location of data in a list. Depending on the data, this could be the last row with data, the last column with data, or the intersection of both. We want the last *relative position* inside a given range not the row number on the worksheet:

Illustration of last relative position (last row, last column)

How this formula works

This formula uses the MATCH function configured to find the position of the last non-empty cell in a range.

Working from the inside out, the lookup array inside MATCH is constructed like this:

=1/(B4:B10<>""))
=1/{TRUE;FALSE;TRUE;FALSE;TRUE;TRUE;FALSE}
={1;#DIV/0!;1;#DIV/0!;1;1;#DIV/0!}

Note: all values in the array are either 1 or the #DIV/0! error.

MATCH is then set to match the value 2 in "approximate match mode", by omitting the 3rd argument is omitted.

Because the lookup value of 2 will never be found, MATCH will always find the last 1 in the lookup array, which corresponds to the last non-empty cell.

This approach will work with any kind of data, including numbers, text, dates, etc. It also works with null text strings that are returned by formulas like this:

=IF(A1<100,"")

Dynamic range

You can use this formula to create a dynamic range with other functions like INDEX and OFFSET. See links below for examples and explanation:

Inspiration for this article came from Mike Girvin's excellent book Control + Shift + Enter, where Mike does a great job explaining the concept of "last relative position".

Author

Dave Bruns

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