Highline Excel 2016 Class 05: Introduction To Array Formulas

Table of Contents
Array............................................................................................................................................... 2
Types of Calculations....................................................................................................................... 2
Definition of Array Formulas............................................................................................................ 2
Ctrl + Shift + Enter......................................................................................................................... 3
These Built-in Excel function arguments can NEVER perform array calculations:...........................3
Why We Need Array Formulas (How They Are Useful).....................................................................4
Drawbacks to Array Formulas......................................................................................................... 4
Types of Array Operators................................................................................................................. 5
Size & Shape of Arrays For Array Operation, How Array Operations Evaluate & What Resultant
Arrays Look Like.............................................................................................................................. 6
Array Constants.............................................................................................................................. 7
Array Functions............................................................................................................................... 8
Cliff Notes for Array Formulas....................................................................................................... 11
Cumulative List of Keyboards Throughout Class:..........................................................................12

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Array
1) Define Array: Two or more items.

Types of Calculations
1) Aggregate Calculations:
Calculations that take two or more items and calculate a single answer such
as adding a column of numbers.
2) Array Calculations:
Calculations that operate on an array of items rather than single items and
which deliver an array of answers called a "Resultant Array".

Definition of Array Formulas

1) Formula makes a calculation on an array of items rather than on single items.
Example:
Calculation on single items: B6*B15
Calculation on an array of items: B4*B13:B16
Example:
1. k argument in LARGE contains a single item: LARGE(A44:A52,2)
2. k argument in LARGE contains an array of items: LARGE(A44:A52,
{1,2,3})

Resulta
nt
Array

2) Calculation results in an array of answer called "Resultant Array".

Example:
B6*B15 evaluates to a single answer: 30422.63
B10:B14*G10:G14 evaluates to an array of answers:
{30422.63;12756.17;10110.37;2643.8}
Example:
1. LARGE(A44:A52,2) evaluates to a single answer: 1102
2. LARGE(A44:A52,{1,2,3}) evaluates to an array of answers:
{1161,1102,1094}
3) Array Calculations can contain math, comparative, join, or function argument array
operations.
4) "Array Calculations" or "Array Operations, which deliver an array of items, are
distinguished from an aggregate calculation, which delivers a single item.
5) Array Functions are a specific type of array formula that consist of a group of built-in
Excel functions (like TRANSPOSE) that are programed to make array calculations
and deliver an array of answers (Resultant Array).
6) The Resultant Array can be used inside a larger formula, or it can be the final
answer.
7) The final answer from an array formula can either:
A single item.
This happens when the Array Calculation is placed into an aggregate
function like with the Array Formula: =SUM(LARGE(A44:A52,{1,2,3})).
An array of items.
This happens when the Resultant Array in entered into a range of cells
like with the Array Formula: =TRANSPOSE(A282:D283).
8) Some Array Formulas require you to enter the formula with the special keystroke
Ctrl + Shift + Enter in order for it to evaluate to the correct answer. Next section in
this document presents details about when Ctrl + Shift + Enter is required.
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Page 3 of 16

Ctrl + Shift + Enter

1) Some Array Formulas require you to enter the formula with the special keystroke
Ctrl + Shift + Enter in order for it to evaluate to the correct answer.
2) Whether your Array Formula requires Ctrl + Shift + Enter is determined by:
1. Whether or not the particular function argument that contains the
Array Calculation requires Ctrl + Shift + Enter.
Here is a list of function arguments that allow Array Calculations
WITHOUT using Ctrl + Shift + Enter:
1. The array_1, array_2, etc. arguments in SUMPRODUCT
function
2. The array argument in AGGREGATE for functions 14 to 19
3. The lookup_vector argument in the LOOKUP function
4. The result_vector argument in the LOOKUP function
5. The array argument in INDEX function
6. The actual_range argument in CHI.SQ.TEST function
7. The expected_range argument in CHI.SQ.TEST function
All other functions that contain Array Calculations require Ctrl +
Shift + Enter.
2. Whether or not the array is an Array Constant.
If the arrays being used in the Array Calculation are Array
Constants, Ctrl + Shift + Enter is NOT required when you are
entering the Array Formula into a single cell (#3 supersedes if
you are entering Array Formula into multiple cells).
3. Whether or not you are entering the Array Formula into multiple cells
simultaneously.
Any time you enter the Array Formula into multiple cells
simultaneously, Ctrl + Shift + Enter is required.
3) How Ctrl + Shift + Enter works:
It is usually best to hold down the Ctrl and Shift keys and then hit the Enter
key.
When you use Ctrl + Shift + Enter, you are telling Excel that the formula is an
Array Formula and that you need to make an Array Calculation.
After you use Ctrl + Shift + Enter, Excel lets you know that it understood you
wanted to make an Array Calculation by placing curly brackets { } at the
beginning and end of the Array Formula. You can see the curly brackets in the
Formula Bar. You can NOT type them into the formula, they only appear after
using the keystrokes Ctrl + Shift + Enter.
If you forget to use Ctrl + Shift + Enter one of two things will happen:
1. If the formula is not next to the data set (formula inputs), you will get a
#VALUE! error
2. If the formula is next to the data set (formula inputs), you will get an
answer from implicit intersection. The answer is almost always wrong.

These Built-in Excel function arguments can NEVER perform array

calculations:
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)

lookup_value argument in VLOOKUP

lookup_value argument in HLOOKUP
range and sum_range arguments in SUMIF
range argument in COUNTIF
range and average_range arguments in AVERAGEIF
criteria_range and sum_range arguments in SUMIFS
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7) criteria_range argument in COUNTIFS

8) criteria_range and average_range arguments in AVEARGEIFS

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Why We Need Array Formulas (How They Are Useful)

1) We wanted our Excel solution to be more compact.
Array Formulas can take calculations that span multiple cells and perform all
of the operations in a single cell.
Example: If you do not need all the individual numbers for a budget and you
just need Net Income:

2) Create Smaller Formulas.

Some Array Formulas are much shorter formula than an alternative.

3) Sometimes an Array Formula is the only way to accomplish the goal.

Drawbacks to Array Formulas

1) Array Calculations contain many individual calculations (like an entire column of
calculations) and when the ranges or arrays are very large, calculation time for the
formula slows down. If you have an Excel Workbook File with many array formulas
with large ranges or arrays, the entire file may have slow calculation times.
2) Array Formulas can be very complicated.

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Types of Array Operators

1) Math operators:

Examples of Math Array Operations:

1. B10:B14*G10:G14
i. Multiplying each corresponding element in same size ranges.
2. B10*G10:G14
i. Multiplying B10 times each cell in the range G10:G14
3. B10:B14*G10
i. Multiplying G10 times each cell in the range B10:B14
2) Comparative Operators

Examples of Comparative Array Operations:

1. B10:B14=G10:G14
2. B10=G10:G14
3. B10:B14=G10
3) Join Operator: Ampersand &
Examples of Join Array Operations:
1. B10:B14&G10:G14
2. B10&G10:G14
3. B10:B14&G10
4) Function Argument:
When you put more than one item into a function argument that is expecting
a single item, you are telling the function to deliver multiple answers. For
example, if you give the k argument in the LARGE function {1,2,3}, it forces
LARGE to deliver 3 answers, namely: the first largest, the second largest and
the third largest.
When you put more than one item into a function argument you are making a
Function Argument Array Operation.

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Size & Shape of Arrays For Array Operation, How Array Operations Evaluate & What Resultant Arrays
Look Like
Full Picture:

Close Up:

Note: If you are multiplying row x row or column x column or table x table (same thing times same thing) the dimensions of the
arrays must be the same.
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Page 9 of 16

Array Constants
1) Array constants are formula elements that allow you to hard code an array of
items into a formula.
1. Example of Array Constants:
{1,2,3}
{0,"Below Par";3000,"Par";6000,"Excellent"}
2. Syntax for Array Constants:
Curly Brackets house the array: { }
Comma means column ,
Semi-colon means row :
3. Examples of Array Constants in Formulas:
=SUM(LARGE(B10:B14,{1,2,3}))
1. This is an Array Formula because the Array Constant
{1,2,3} in the k argument of LARGE instructs LARGE to
deliver 3 numbers.
2. This Array Formula does not need Ctrl + Shift + Enter
because there is no Array Operation that generates the
array, it is a hard coded array (Array Constant).
=VLOOKUP(C51,{0,"Below
Par";3000,"Par";6000,"Excellent"},2)
3. This is not an Array Formula because the Array Constant
represents a lookup table in the table_array argument in
VLOOKUP. Different from the Array Constant {1,2,3} in the
k argument of LARGE, which instructs LARGE to deliver 3
numbers, the Array Constant {0,"Below
Par";3000,"Par";6000,"Excellent"} does not instruct
VLOOKUP to deliver multiple items, but rather it is just the
table that VLOOKUP chooses a single value from.
4. If the arrays being used in the Array Calculation are Array Constants,
Ctrl + Shift + Enter is NOT required when you are entering the Array
Formula into a single cell.
i. Examples:
1. Ctrl + Shift + Enter NOT Required:
=SUM(LARGE(B10:B14,{1,2,3}))
or
=SUM({1,2,3}*{4;4;4})
2. This formula requires Ctrl + Shift + Enter because you are
entering the Array Function into multiple cells
simultaneously:
=FREQUENCY(A311:A323,{250;500;750;1000})

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Array Functions
1) Array Functions are a specific type of array formula that consist of a group of built-in
Excel functions that are programed to make array calculations and deliver a
resultant array of values that can be entered into a range of cells using the
keystrokes Ctrl + Shift + Enter.
2) Array Functions in Excel:
TRANSPOSE
Converts a vertical array or range into a horizontal array or range or
vice versa. Works on one-way or two-way arrays or ranges.
MODE.MULT (new in Excel 2010)
Calculates mode (statistics). Finds the number that occurs most
frequently when there are multiple such values (multiple modes).
FREQUENCY
Counts how many values are in each category, given the upper values
for each category.
TREND
Using the least-squares method for best-fitting data to a straight line,
returns an array of y values, given these formula inputs: known y
values, known x values, and an array of x values used to estimate the
array of y values.
LINEST
A function that simultaneously returns multiple statistics for single or
multiple regression, using the least-squares method for best-fitting
data to a straight line.
MMULT
Returns the matrix product of two arrays.
MUNIT (new in Excel 2013)
Returns the unit matrix, given a single number.
MINVERSE
Returns the inverse matrix, given a matrix.
3) For an Array Function to show the correct number of answers, you must anticipate
the size of the Resultant Array and highlight a range of cells that is the same size as
the Resultant Array BEFORE you type out the Array Function formula.
4) After you enter an Array Function with Ctrl + Shift + Enter, you cannot delete the
contents of just one cell. If you want to delete the contents of a cell, you must
delete all the contents of all the cells in the array.
5) Note: Although you must use the keystrokes Ctrl + Shift + Enter to enter an Array
Function into a range of cells, if you nest the Array Function inside an aggregate
function (like SUM, COUNT, MAX, or others) you do not have to use the keystrokes
Ctrl + Shift + Enter. The one exception seems to be if you put TRANSPOSE into
SUMPRODUCT.

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6) Example of TRANSPOSE:
We need to go from this:

To this:

Steps:
1. Count Rows and Columns = 2 x 4
2. Highlight range that is 4 x 2 (rows and columns)
3. Use Array Function TRANSPOSE and highlight range A282:D283 to
create formula: =TRANSPOSE(A282:D283)
4. Must use Ctrl + Shift + Enter because we are entering an array into
multiple cells simultaneously.
Picture:

7) Example of FREQUENCY:

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8) Notes for FREQUENCY (not required for this class, but is required for BI 348
class):
HereswhatyouneedtoknowabouthowtheFREQUENCYarrayfunctionworks:
FREQUENCYcountshowmanynumbersareineachcategory.
Thebins_arrayargumentcontainstheuppervaluesforthecategoriesnumbers
only.
Thedata_arrayargumentcontainsthevaluestocountnumbersonly.
Keepinmindthefollowingaboutcategories:
1) Categoriesareautomaticallycreated.Thereisnovisualindicationof
howthecategoriesareorganized.
2) Thefirstcategorycountsallthevalueslessthanorequaltothe
firstupperlimit.
3) Themiddlecategoriescountbetweenalowerlimitandanupperlimit.
Thelowerlimitisnotincludedinthecategory.Theupperlimitis
includedinthecategory.
4) Thelastcategorycatchesallthevaluesthataregreaterthanthe
lastupperlimit.
5) Thereisalwaysonemorecategorythantherearebins.
FREQUENCYdeliversaverticalarray.Ifyouneedahorizontalarray,usethe
TRANSPOSEfunctiontoconvertaverticalarraytoahorizontalarray.
MustuseCtrl+Shift+Enter
FREQUENCYignoresemptycellsandtext.
Ifthereareduplicatebins,theduplicatesgetacountofzero.(Youusethis
aspectutilizedwhenyoucreateformulasforuniquecounting.)

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Cliff Notes for Array Formulas

1) Calculation on an array of items rather than single items called an "Array
Calculation" or "Array Operation".
2) Calculation results in an array of answer called "Resultant Array".
3) The Resultant Array can be used inside a larger formula, or it can be the final
answer.
4) Array Formulas require the special keystroke Ctrl + Shift + Enter, except these
situations:
1. One of these five functions:
i. SUMPRODUCT
ii. AGGREGATE
iii. LOOKUP
iv. INDEX
v. CHI.SQ.TEST
2. The arrays are Array Constants
5) How Ctrl + Shift + Enter works:
When you use Ctrl + Shift + Enter, you are telling Excel that the formula is an
Array Formula.
After you use Ctrl + Shift + Enter, Excel puts curly brackets { } at the
beginning and end of the Array Formula to indicate that it understood that
you were entering an Array Formula.
If you DON'T use Ctrl + Shift + Enter and you are required to, you will get a
#VALUE! Error or the wrong answer.
6) Specific Array Functions like TRANSPOSE deliver an array of values and require that
you highlight a range of cells and then use the key stroke Ctrl + Shift + Enter.
7) Array Formulas can be useful because they can allow: 1) compact Excel solutions,
shorter formulas and sometimes array formulas are the only way to accomplish the
goal.
8) Drawbacks for Array Formulas: with large Array Calculations, calculation time for the
Excel file can slow down.

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Cumulative List of Keyboards Throughout Class:

1) Esc Key:
i. Closes Backstage View (like Print Preview).
ii. Closes most dialog boxes.
iii. If you are in Edit mode in a Cell, Esc will revert back to what you had in the cell
before you put the Cell in Edit mode.
2) F2 Key = Puts formula in Edit Mode and shows the rainbow colored Range Finder.
3) SUM Function: Alt + =
4) Ctrl + Shift + Arrow = Highlight column (Current Region).
5) Ctrl + Backspace = Jumps back to Active Cell
6) Ctrl + Z = Undo.
7) Ctrl + Y = Undo the Undo.
8) Ctrl + C = Copy.
9) Ctrl + X = Cut.
10)
Ctrl + V = Paste.
11)
Ctrl + PageDown =expose next sheet to right.
12)
Ctrl + PageUp =expose next sheet to left.
13)
Ctrl + 1 = Format Cells dialog box, or in a chart it opens Format Chart Element Task
Pane.
14)
Ctrl + Arrow: jumps to the bottom of the "Current Region", which means it jumps
to the last cell that has data, right before the first empty cell.
15)
Ctrl + Home = Go to Cell A1.
16)
Ctrl + End = Go to last cell used.
17)
Alt keyboards are keys that you hit in succession. Alt keyboards are keyboards you
can teach yourself by hitting the Alt key and looking at the screen tips.
i. Create PivotTable dialog box: Alt, N, V
ii. Page Setup dialog box: Alt, P, S, P
iii. Keyboard to open Sort dialog box: Alt, D, S
18)
ENTER = When you are in Edit Mode in a Cell, it will put thing in cell and move
selected cell DOWN.
19)
CTRL + ENTER = When you are in Edit Mode in a Cell, it will put thing in cell and
keep cell selected.
20)
TAB = When you are in Edit Mode in a Cell, it will put thing in cell and move
selected cell RIGHT.
21)
SHIFT + ENTER = When you are in Edit Mode in a Cell, it will put thing in cell and
move selected cell UP.
22)
SHIFT + TAB = When you are in Edit Mode in a Cell, it will put thing in cell and
move selected cell LEFT.
23)
Ctrl + T = Create Excel Table (with dynamic ranges) from a Proper Data Set.
i. Keyboard to name Excel Table: Alt, J, T, A
ii. Tab = Enter Raw Data into an Excel Table.
24)
Ctrl + Shift + ~ ( ` ) = General Number Formatting Keyboard.
25)
Ctrl + ; = Keyboard for hardcoding today's date.
26)
Ctrl + Shift + ; = Keyboard for hardcoding current time.
27)
Arrow Key = If you are making a formula, Arrow key will hunt for Cell Reference.
28)
Ctrl + B = Bold the Font
29)
Ctrl + * (on Number Pad) or Ctrl + Shift + 8 = Highlight Current Table.
30)
Alt + Enter = Add Manual Line Break (Word Wrap)
31)
Ctrl + P = Print dialog Backstage View and Print Preview
32)
F4 Key = If you are in Edit mode while making a formula AND your cursor is
touching a particular Cell Reference, F4 key will toggle through the different Cell
References:
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i. A1 = Relative
ii. $A$1 = Absolute or Locked
iii. A$1 = Mixed with Row Locked (Relative as you copy across the columns AND
Locked as you copy down the rows)
iv. $A1 = Mixed with Column Locked (Relative as you copy down the rows AND Locked
as you across the columns)
33)
Ctrl + Shift + 4 = Apply Currency Number Formatting
34)
Tab key = When you are selecting a Function from the Function Drop-down list, you
can select the function that is highlighted in blue by using the Tab key.
35)
F9 Key = To evaluate just a single part of formula while you are in edit mode,
highlight part of formula and hit the F9 key.
i. If you are creating an Array Constant in your formula: Hit F9.
ii. If you are evaluating the formula element just to see what that part of the formula
looks like, REMEMBER: to Undo with Ctrl + Z.
36)
Alt, E, A, A = Clear All (Content and Formatting)
37)
Evaluate Formula One Step at a Time Keyboard: Alt, M, V
38)
Keyboard to open Sort dialog box: Alt, D, S
39)
Ctrl + Shift + L = Filter (or Alt, D, F, F) = Toggle key for Filter Drop-down Arrows
40)
Ctrl + N = Open New File
41)
F12 = Save As (Change File Name, Location, File Type)
42)
Import Excel Table into Power Query Editor: Alt, A, P, T
43)
Ctrl + 1 (When Chart element in selected): Open Task Pane for Chart Element
44)
F4 Key = If you are in Edit mode while making a formula AND your cursor is
touching a particular Cell Reference, F4 key will toggle through the different Cell
References:
i. A1 = Relative
ii. $A$1 = Absolute or Locked
iii. A$1 = Mixed with Row Locked (Relative as you copy across the columns AND
Locked as you copy down the rows)
iv. $A1 = Mixed with Column Locked (Relative as you copy down the rows AND Locked
as you across the columns)
45)

Keyboard to open Scenario Manager = Alt, T, E

46)
47)
48)
49)
50)
51)

Ctrl + Tab = Toggle between Excel Workbook File Windows

Ctrl + Shift + F3 = Create Names From Selection
Ctrl + F3 = open Name Manager
F3 = Paste Name or List of Names
Alt + F4 = Close Active Window
Window Key + Up Arrow = Maximize Active Window

New In This Video:

52)
Ctrl + Shift + Enter = Keystroke to enter Array Formulas that: 1) have a function
argument that requires it, or 2) whether or not you are entering the Resultant Array into
multiple cells simultaneously.
53)
Ctrl + / = Highlight current Array

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