How do I use INDEX MATCH to return multiple values?

Question

I have a 2D matrix of binary values. I'd like to find all the 1's in a row, and return their respective header in the form of an array or comma delimited string in one cell.

I could do it in VBA, but for my knowledge I wanted to know if there was a handy way to do it in Excel.

Answer 1

Assuming your matrix is located at B6:F12 (adjust ranges in formula and arguments as required)

Enter this FormulaArray at G7 and copy till last record (Enter the FormulaArray pressing [Ctrl] + [Shift] + [Enter] simultaneously, you shall see { } around the formula if entered correctly)

=TRIM(CONCATENATE(
IF($B7:$B12,$B$6,""),CHAR(32),
IF($C7:$C12,$C$6,""),CHAR(32),
IF($D7:$D12,$D$6,""),CHAR(32),
IF($E7:$E12,$E$6,""),CHAR(32),
IF($F7:$F12,$F$6,"")))

This formula concatenates the result of 5 fields separated by a blank space. You'll have to add one more argument per additional field.

This standard formula will also do the trick:

=TRIM(SUBSTITUTE(CONCATENATE(
IF($B7,", "&$B$6,""),
IF($C7,", "&$C$6,""),
IF($D7,", "&$D$6,""),
IF($E7,", "&$E$6,""),
IF($F7,", "&$F$6,"")),",","",1))

Both formulas will certainly become longer as the number of fields increases, however as the formula is quite repetitive an excel formula can be used to build it.