How to align two data sets by date in excel

Question

Given two time series with date and price (but dates don't align, ie holidays etc) how can i align the two price series against one set of dates (using vlookup?)?

Example:
Mar 1, 2016 | 101.52 | Mar 1, 2016 | 204.57
Mar 2, 2016 | 103.17 | Mar 3, 2016 | 207.13
Mar 3, 2016 | 102.10 | Mar 4, 2016 | 224.03
Mar 6, 2016 | 101.87 | Mar 5, 2016 | 217.15

should result in:
Mar 1, 2016 | 101.52 | Mar 1, 2016 | 204.57
Mar 2, 2016 | 103.17 | Mar 2, 2016 | 204.57
Mar 3, 2016 | 102.10 | Mar 3, 2016 | 207.13
Mar 5, 2016 | 102.10 | Mar 5, 2016 | 217.15
Mar 6, 2016 | 101.87 | Mar 6, 2016 | 217.15

Thank you.

Answer 1

OK, take a deep breath and follow along...

Suppose data is in A2:D100...

• Formula for Column E: =MATCH(C2,$A$2:$A$100,0)
• Formula for Column F: =MATCH(A2,$C$2:$C$100,0)
• Filter col E for #N/A
• Copy dates from col C to first empty row of A
• Unfilter col E, Filter col F on #N/A
• Copy dates from col A to C
• Remove filter from sheet (no filter dropdowns)
• Sort JUST Col A+B on A
• Sort JUST Col C+D on C
• Select col B
• F5, Special, Empty cells
• OK
• type = sign, arrow up, control+enter
• Select B again
• Control+C
• Control+alt+V, choose Values.
• Repeat the part starting from "Select col B" for col D.