XL: How to Return the First or Last Match in an Array

You can use the LOOKUP() function to search for a value within an array of sorted data and return the corresponding value contained in that position within another array. If the lookup value is repeated within the array, it returns the last match encountered. This behavior is true for the VLOOKUP(), HLOOKUP(), and LOOKUP() functions.

To find the first value instead of the last value in an array, use the INDEX() and MATCH() functions.

The following example contrasts the results that you receive when you use the LOOKUP() function with the results that you receive when you use the INDEX() and MATCH() functions.

In a new worksheet, type the following data: In this example, cell C1 returns the last match of the value 1, resulting in the text string "Blue" being returned to the cell. However, cell C2 returns the first match of the value 1, resulting in the text string "Red" being returned to the cell.

NOTE: When you use the INDEX() and MATCH() functions, the lookup array does not need to be sorted in ascending order; however you must specify a match_type argument of 0 (zero) to return the correct value.