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Discover the solution to a challenging lookup problem in Excel, ideal for those who manage data in a matrix format. This video provides a detailed guide for creating reports that require to find the header of the lookup criteria which is in a matrix layout.

⬇️ Download the workbook here: https://pages.xelplus.com/sumproduct-index-file

Key Points:
- Matrix Data Structure: Understand the structure of the dataset – a matrix with dates on the left, divisions as column headers, and a list of apps within.
- Lookup Challenge: Learn how to create a report listing apps and their corresponding divisions, where apps are scattered across various columns and rows.
- Utilizing the Index Formula: Explore using the Index formula for its ability to return text, crucial for identifying division names.
- Dynamic Column Identification: Discover how to dynamically identify the correct column for each app using a unique approach.
- SUMPRODUCT Function: Learn the use of the Sum-Product function to handle matrix data and return the appropriate column index.
- Step-by-Step Explanation: Follow a clear, step-by-step process, including setting up the formula, fixing cell references, and expanding the range for accurate results.

In this video I show you the answer to one of the questions that was asked some time ago on the Mr. Excel message board (the sample data was changed for the video) - The question is a complex LOOKUP problem - task is to find the header of the lookup criteria which is in a matrix. The lookup value could be in any column and any row - that's what makes the problem complex. How to get the header based on a lookup value that could be in any cell? In the video you'll find my approach;

It uses the INDEX function together with SUMPRODUCT. What is your approach?

Video for Index Match Basics: https://youtu.be/F264FpBDX28
To understand Sumproduct: https://youtu.be/lzjc_eEISe8

Alternate Solutions

Watch Kevin's video to see 4 different approaches of solving this
2 with array formulas, 1 with helper columns and last one with a pivot table to normalize the date set: https://youtu.be/u4IcqcQP1FI

Watch Oz's Video from Excel on Fire here which shows how to solve this with a COUNTIFS function and the Power Query method: https://youtu.be/IwBYEXaOSOk

To solve for multiple matches - i.e. non-unique data set, check out this video: https://youtu.be/ULa7nQrMvoc

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