Is there a coalesce-like function in Excel

0 votes

I need to fill a cell with the first non-empty entry in a set of columns (from left to right) in the same row - similar to coalesce() in SQL.

In the following example sheet

---------------------------------------
|     |  A   |   B   |   C   |    D   |
---------------------------------------
|  1  |      |   x   |   y   |    z   |
---------------------------------------
|  2  |      |       |   y   |        |
---------------------------------------
|  3  |      |       |       |    z   |
---------------------------------------

I want to put a cell function in each cell of row A such that I will get:

---------------------------------------
|     |  A   |   B   |   C   |    D   |
---------------------------------------
|  1  |  x   |   x   |   y   |    z   |
---------------------------------------
|  2  |  y   |       |   y   |        |
---------------------------------------
|  3  |  z   |       |       |    z   |
---------------------------------------

I know I could do this with a cascade of IF functions, but in my real sheet, I have 30 columns to select from, so I would be happy if there were a simpler way.

Oct 20, 2022 in Others by Kithuzzz
• 38,010 points
2,832 views

1 answer to this question.

0 votes
To have Excel analyze the formula as an Array Formula after you enter it, hit CTRL + Shift + Enter. The first non-blank value within the specified cell range is returned by this. The formula is typed in the column with the header "a" for your example.
answered Oct 21, 2022 by narikkadan
• 63,420 points

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