Return array from INDEX function in Excel?

Question

I'm trying to use INDEX in array format in Excel but I'm running into problems.

From this question: Return array from INDEX function? , it seems that "INDEX (like VLOOKUP) doesn't return an array of values (except in some convoluted circumstances)"

So I'm wondering what alternatives there are.

I'm trying to do this:

=qlTimeSeries( ,
               INDEX({39618,39619,39638,39639},{2,3,4}),
               INDEX({18,19,38,39},{2,3,4})
               )

and Index is not returning an array.

Any alternative idea how to get the result I am trying to get with INDEX({39618,39619,39638,39639},{2,3,4})? ie from {39618,39619,39638,39639} get {39619,39638,39639} back?

NOTE: Instead of INDEX({39618,39619,39638,39639},{2,3,4}) my spreadsheet in fact uses a dynamic array of dates and the objective is to drop the first element of the array {39618,39619,39638,39639} which is why I am using INDEX.

EDIT: Looking for a solution that avoids using VBA

Answer 1

Try this array formula:

= INDEX({39618,39619,39638,39639},N(IF({1},{2,3,4})))

This will return what you desire: {39619,39638,39639} .

Note this is an array formula, so you must press Ctrl + Shift + Enter on the keyboard after typing this formula instead of just pressing Enter .

(Also note this works with dynamic ranges, not just hard-coded arrays.)