How to list unique distinct values sorted by frequency
What's on this page
1. Unique distinct values sorted based on frequency (single column)
Array formula in D3:
copied down as far as needed.
How to create an array formula
- Copy above array formula
- Select cell D3
- Press with left mouse button on in formula bar
- Paste array formula in formula bar
- Press and hold Ctrl + Shift
- Press Enter
Formula in E3:
copied down as far as needed.
Explaining formula in cell D3
Step 1 - Calculate frequency of each value
The COUNTIF function counts values based on a condition, in this case, multiple conditions.
COUNTIF($B$3:$B$15, $B$3:$B$15)
becomes
COUNTIF({"DD"; "EE"; "GG"; "TT"; "EE"; "SS"; "YY"; "FF"; "GG"; "II"; "RR"; "TT"; "GG"}, {"DD"; "EE"; "GG"; "TT"; "EE"; "SS"; "YY"; "FF"; "GG"; "II"; "RR"; "TT"; "GG"})
and returns
{1; 2; 3; 2; 2; 1; 1; 1; 3; 1; 1; 2; 3}.
Step 2 - Prevent duplicate values
The first argument in the COUNTIF function contains an expanding cell reference. It makes sure that prior values are not taken into account again.
COUNTIF(D$2:$D2,$B$3:$B$15)<>1
becomes
COUNTIF("Unique distinct
list based on occurances", {"DD"; "EE"; "GG"; "TT"; "EE"; "SS"; "YY"; "FF"; "GG"; "II"; "RR"; "TT"; "GG"})<>1
becomes
{0;0;0;0;0;0;0;0;0;0;0;0;0}<>1
and returns
{TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE}.
Step 3 - Multiply arrays
COUNTIF($B$3:$B$15, $B$3:$B$15)*(COUNTIF(D$2:$D2,$B$3:$B$15)<>1)
becomes
{1; 2; 3; 2; 2; 1; 1; 1; 3; 1; 1; 2; 3}* {TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE; TRUE}
and returns
{1;2;3;2;2;1;1;1;3;1;1;2;3}.
Step 4 - Check if largest value is equal to 0 (zero)
The IF function returns 1 if number is not equal to 0 (zero) and the largest value in array if equal to zero using the MAX function.
IF(MAX(COUNTIF($B$3:$B$15, $B$3:$B$15)*(COUNTIF(D$2:$D2, $B$3:$B$15)<>0))=0, 1, MAX(COUNTIF($B$3:$B$15, $B$3:$B$15)*(COUNTIF(D$2:$D2, $B$3:$B$15)<>1)))
becomes
IF(MAX({1;2;3;2;2;1;1;1;3;1;1;2;3})=0, 1, MAX(COUNTIF($B$3:$B$15, $B$3:$B$15)*(COUNTIF(D$2:$D2, $B$3:$B$15)<>1)))
becomes
IF(3=0, 1, MAX(COUNTIF($B$3:$B$15, $B$3:$B$15)*(COUNTIF(D$2:$D2, $B$3:$B$15)<>1)))
becomes
IF(FALSE, 1, MAX(COUNTIF($B$3:$B$15, $B$3:$B$15)*(COUNTIF(D$2:$D2, $B$3:$B$15)<>1)))
becomes
IF(FALSE, 1, 3)
and returns 3.
Step 5 - Find position in array
The MATCH function returns the position of a value in a cell range or array.
MATCH(IF(MAX(COUNTIF($B$3:$B$15, $B$3:$B$15)*(COUNTIF(D$2:$D2, $B$3:$B$15)<>0))=0, 1, MAX(COUNTIF($B$3:$B$15, $B$3:$B$15)*(COUNTIF(D$2:$D2, $B$3:$B$15)<>1))), COUNTIF($B$3:$B$15, $B$3:$B$15)*(COUNTIF(D$2:$D2, $B$3:$B$15)<>1), 0))
becomes
MATCH(3, COUNTIF($B$3:$B$15, $B$3:$B$15)*(COUNTIF(D$2:$D2, $B$3:$B$15)<>1), 0)
becomes
MATCH(3, COUNTIF($B$3:$B$15, $B$3:$B$15)*(COUNTIF(D$2:$D2, $B$3:$B$15)<>1), 0)
becomes
MATCH(3, {1;2;3;2;2;1;1;1;3;1;1;2;3}, 0)
and returns 3.
Step 6 - Return value
The INDEX function returns a value based on a row number (and column number if needed).
INDEX($B$3:$B$15, MATCH(IF(MAX(COUNTIF($B$3:$B$15, $B$3:$B$15)*COUNTIF(D$2:$D2,$B$3:$B$15)<>1)=0, 1, MAX(COUNTIF($B$3:$B$15, $B$3:$B$15)*IF(COUNTIF(D$2:$D2, $B$3:$B$15)=1,0,1))), COUNTIF($B$3:$B$15, $B$3:$B$15)*(COUNTIF(D$2:$D2, $B$3:$B$15)<>1), 0))
becomes
INDEX($B$3:$B$15, 3)
and returns "GG" in cell D3.
Get Excel *.xlsx file
Unique-distinct-list-sorted-based-on-occurrance-in-a-column-in-excel.xlsx
2. Unique distinct values sorted based on frequency - Excel 365
This formula works only with a single column cell range, read this article if you want to use a multi-column cell range: Extract a unique distinct list across multiple columns and rows sorted based on frequency
Excel 365 dynamic array formula in cell D3:
Explaining formula
Step 1 - Extract unique distinct values
The UNIQUE function extracts both unique and unique distinct values and also compare columns to columns or rows to rows.
UNIQUE(array,[by_col],[exactly_once])
UNIQUE(B3:B15)
becomes
UNIQUE({"DD"; "EE"; "GG"; "TT"; "EE"; "SS"; "YY"; "FF"; "GG"; "II"; "RR"; "TT"; "GG"})
and returns
{"DD"; "EE"; "GG"; "TT"; "SS"; "YY"; "FF"; "II"; "RR"}
Step 2 - Count values
The COUNTIF function calculates the number of cells that meet a given condition.
COUNTIF(range, criteria)
COUNTIF(B3:B15,UNIQUE(B3:B15))
Step 3 - Sort values based on count
The SORTBY function sorts values from a cell range or array based on a corresponding cell range or array.
SORTBY(array, by_array1, [sort_order1], [by_array2, sort_order2],…)
SORTBY(UNIQUE(B3:B15), COUNTIF(B3:B15,UNIQUE(B3:B15)),-1)
Step 4 - Shorten formula
The LET function lets you name intermediate calculation results which can shorten formulas considerably and improve performance.
LET(name1, name_value1, calculation_or_name2, [name_value2, calculation_or_name3...])
SORTBY(UNIQUE(B3:B15), COUNTIF(B3:B15,UNIQUE(B3:B15)),-1)
x - B3:B15
y - UNIQUE(x)
LET(x,B3:B15,y,UNIQUE(x),SORTBY(y,COUNTIF(x,y),-1))
3. Unique distinct values sorted based on frequency (multiple columns)
This array formula is for Excel versions prior to Excel 365, it works with a source containing multiple columns contrary to the first section above. The formula in cell B8 extracts a list sorted based on frequency based on cell range $B$2:$E$5.
Array formula in B8:
Enter the array formula in cell B8 the copy cell B8 and paste to cells below as far as necessary. I highly recommend the Excel 365 formula above, it so much smaller and easier to use.
Explaining formula in cell B8
Step 1 - Count previous values
The COUNTIF function counts values based on a condition or criteria. The first argument $B$7:B7 expands when the cell is copied to cells below.
COUNTIF($B$7:B7, tbl)=0
becomes
{0,0,0,0;0,0,0,0;0,0,0,0;0,0,0,0}=0
and returns
{TRUE, TRUE, TRUE, TRUE; TRUE, TRUE, TRUE, TRUE; TRUE, TRUE, TRUE, TRUE; TRUE, TRUE, TRUE, TRUE}
Step 2 - Replace TRUE with frequency count
The IF function returns the corresponding frequency number if boolean value is TRUE. FALSE returns "" (nothing).
IF(COUNTIF($B$7:B7,$B$2:$E$5)=0,COUNTIF($B$2:$E$5,$B$2:$E$5),"")
becomes
IF({TRUE, TRUE, TRUE, TRUE; TRUE, TRUE, TRUE, TRUE; TRUE, TRUE, TRUE, TRUE; TRUE, TRUE, TRUE, TRUE}, {3,3,4,4;4,4,4,4;4,4,4,3;4,4,1,4},"")
and returns
{3,3,4,4;4,4,4,4;4,4,4,3;4,4,1,4}.
Step 3 - Find largest value in array
The MAX function returns the maximum number in array ignoring blanks and text values.
MAX(IF(COUNTIF($B$7:B7, $B$2:$E$5)=0, COUNTIF($B$2:$E$5, $B$2:$E$5), ""))
becomes
MAX({3,3,4,4;4,4,4,4;4,4,4,3;4,4,1,4})
and returns 4.
Step 4 - Compare the largest number to array
IF((MAX(IF(COUNTIF($B$7:B7, $B$2:$E$5)=0, COUNTIF($B$2:$E$5, $B$2:$E$5), ""))=IF(COUNTIF($B$2:$E$5, $B$2:$E$5)*(COUNTIF($B$7:B7, $B$2:$E$5)=0), COUNTIF($B$2:$E$5, $B$2:$E$5)*(COUNTIF($B$7:B7, $B$2:$E$5)=0), "")), (ROW($B$2:$E$5)+(1/(COLUMN($B$2:$E$5)+1)))*1, "")
becomes
IF(4=IF(COUNTIF($B$2:$E$5, $B$2:$E$5)*(COUNTIF($B$7:B7, $B$2:$E$5)=0), COUNTIF($B$2:$E$5, $B$2:$E$5)*(COUNTIF($B$7:B7, $B$2:$E$5)=0), "")), (ROW($B$2:$E$5)+(1/(COLUMN($B$2:$E$5)+1)))*1, "")
becomes
IF(4={3,3,4,4;4,4,4,4;4,4,4,3;4,4,1,4}, (ROW($B$2:$E$5)+(1/(COLUMN($B$2:$E$5)+1)))*1, "")
becomes
IF(4={3,3,4,4;4,4,4,4;4,4,4,3;4,4,1,4}, {2.33333333333333, 2.25, 2.2, 2.16666666666667;3.33333333333333, 3.25, 3.2, 3.16666666666667;4.33333333333333, 4.25, 4.2, 4.16666666666667;5.33333333333333, 5.25, 5.2, 5.16666666666667}, "")
and returns
{"", "", 2.2, 2.16666666666667;3.33333333333333, 3.25, 3.2, 3.16666666666667;4.33333333333333, 4.25, 4.2, "";5.33333333333333, 5.25, "", 5.16666666666667}.
Step 5 - Replace TRUE with unique number
IF(MIN(IF((MAX(IF(COUNTIF($B$7:B7, $B$2:$E$5)=0, COUNTIF($B$2:$E$5, $B$2:$E$5), ""))=IF(COUNTIF($B$2:$E$5, $B$2:$E$5)*(COUNTIF($B$7:B7, $B$2:$E$5)=0), COUNTIF($B$2:$E$5, $B$2:$E$5)*(COUNTIF($B$7:B7, $B$2:$E$5)=0), "")), (ROW($B$2:$E$5)+(1/(COLUMN($B$2:$E$5)+1)))*1, ""))=(ROW($B$2:$E$5)+(1/(COLUMN($B$2:$E$5)+1))*1), $B$2:$E$5, "")
becomes
IF(MIN({"", "", 2.2, 2.16666666666667;3.33333333333333, 3.25, 3.2, 3.16666666666667;4.33333333333333, 4.25, 4.2, "";5.33333333333333, 5.25, "", 5.16666666666667})=(ROW($B$2:$E$5)+(1/(COLUMN($B$2:$E$5)+1))*1), $B$2:$E$5, "")
becomes
IF(2.16666666666667=(ROW($B$2:$E$5)+(1/(COLUMN($B$2:$E$5)+1))*1), $B$2:$E$5, "")
becomes
IF(2.16666666666667={2.33333333333333, 2.25, 2.2, 2.16666666666667;3.33333333333333, 3.25, 3.2, 3.16666666666667;4.33333333333333, 4.25, 4.2, 4.16666666666667;5.33333333333333, 5.25, 5.2, 5.16666666666667}, $B$2:$E$5, "")
becomes
IF({FALSE, FALSE, FALSE, TRUE; FALSE, FALSE, FALSE, FALSE; FALSE, FALSE, FALSE, FALSE; FALSE, FALSE, FALSE, FALSE}, $B$2:$E$5, "")
becomes
IF({FALSE, FALSE, FALSE, TRUE; FALSE, FALSE, FALSE, FALSE; FALSE, FALSE, FALSE, FALSE; FALSE, FALSE, FALSE, FALSE}, {"CC", "CC", "DD", "GG";"DD", "EE", "GG", "DD";"EE", "EE", "GG", "CC";"DD", "GG", "VV", "EE"}, "")
and returns
{"","","","GG";"","","","";"","","","";"","","",""}.
Step 6 - Concatenate strings in array
The TEXTJOIN function returns values concatenated ignoring blanks in array.
TEXTJOIN("", TRUE, IF(MIN(IF((MAX(IF(COUNTIF($B$7:B7, $B$2:$E$5)=0, COUNTIF($B$2:$E$5, $B$2:$E$5), ""))=IF(COUNTIF($B$2:$E$5, $B$2:$E$5)*(COUNTIF($B$7:B7, $B$2:$E$5)=0), COUNTIF($B$2:$E$5, $B$2:$E$5)*(COUNTIF($B$7:B7, $B$2:$E$5)=0), "")), (ROW($B$2:$E$5)+(1/(COLUMN($B$2:$E$5)+1)))*1, ""))=(ROW($B$2:$E$5)+(1/(COLUMN($B$2:$E$5)+1))*1), $B$2:$E$5, ""))
becomes
TEXTJOIN("", TRUE, {"","","","GG";"","","","";"","","","";"","","",""})
and returns "GG" in cell B8.
Get Excel *.xlsx file
Sort a range by frequency.xlsx
4. List unique distinct values sorted based on frequency (multiple columns) - Excel 365
This article demonstrates a formula that creates a frequency distribution table from a multi-column cell range which is useful in statistics.
The image above shows a cell range B2:E11 that contains values, the formula in cell B15 extracts unique distinct values in B2:E11, ignores blanks, and returns a list sorted based on frequency.
Dynamic array formula in cell B15:
Check out How to create a frequency table based on text values if your data is arranged in a single column.
Explaining formula
Step 1 - Rearrange values to a single column
The TOCOL function rearranges values in a 2D cell range to a single column.
TOCOL(array, [ignore], [scan_by_col])
TOCOL(B2:E11)
returns
Step 2 - Filter out blanks
The FILTER function extracts values/rows based on a condition or criteria.
FILTER(array, include, [if_empty])
FILTER(TOCOL(B2:E11), TOCOL(B2:E11)<>"")
returns
The empty cells are now gone in cell B13 and cells below.
Step 3 - Extract unique values
The UNIQUE function extracts both unique and unique distinct values and also compare columns to columns or rows to rows.
UNIQUE(array,[by_col],[exactly_once])
UNIQUE(FILTER(TOCOL(B2:E11), TOCOL(B2:E11)<>""))
returns
{"Banana"; "Lime"; "Pineapple"; "Strawberry"; "Orange"; "Pear"; "Raspberry"; "Apple"}.
Step 4 - Count values
The COUNTIF function calculates the number of cells that meet a given condition.
COUNTIF(range, criteria)
COUNTIF(B2:E11, UNIQUE(FILTER(TOCOL(B2:E11), TOCOL(B2:E11)<>"")))
becomes
COUNTIF(B2:E11, {"Banana"; "Lime"; "Pineapple"; "Strawberry"; "Orange"; "Pear"; "Raspberry"; "Apple"})
and returns
{6; 3; 6; 4; 4; 3; 3; 5}.
Step 5 - Sort values based on the frequency
The SORTBY function sorts values from a cell range or array based on a corresponding cell range or array.
SORTBY(array, by_array1, [sort_order1], [by_array2, sort_order2],…)
SORTBY(UNIQUE(FILTER(TOCOL(B2:E11), TOCOL(B2:E11)<>"")), COUNTIF(B2:E11, UNIQUE(FILTER(TOCOL(B2:E11), TOCOL(B2:E11)<>""))), -1)
becomes
SORTBY({"Banana"; "Lime"; "Pineapple"; "Strawberry"; "Orange"; "Pear"; "Raspberry"; "Apple"}, {6; 3; 6; 4; 4; 3; 3; 5}, -1)
and returns
{"Banana"; "Pineapple"; "Apple"; "Strawberry"; "Orange"; "Lime"; "Pear"; "Raspberry"}.
Step 6 - Shorten the formula
The LET function lets you name intermediate calculation results which can shorten formulas considerably and improve performance.
LET(name1, name_value1, calculation_or_name2, [name_value2, calculation_or_name3...])
SORTBY(UNIQUE(FILTER(TOCOL(B2:E11), TOCOL(B2:E11)<>"")), COUNTIF(B2:E11, UNIQUE(FILTER(TOCOL(B2:E11), TOCOL(B2:E11)<>""))), -1)
x - B2:E11
y - TOCOL(x)
z - UNIQUE(FILTER(y,y<>""))
LET(x,B2:E11,y,TOCOL(x),z,UNIQUE(FILTER(y,y<>"")),SORTBY(z, COUNTIF(x,z),-1))
Useful resources
How to make a frequency distribution table in Excel - pivot table
How to Make a Histogram in Excel (Step-by-Step Guide)
Frequency table category
More than 1300 Excel formulasExcel categories
14 Responses to “How to list unique distinct values sorted by frequency”
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Your array formulas are very interesting.
But this fails if there is two or more values whith the same frequency.
Many thanks and best regards
Thanks for your comment! I have changed the formula and the attached excel file. The formula doesn´t work with blank cells.
Hi, very nice formula! I´m trying to do something like this, but I need to show one more column at the side of each unique element with the count of occurrences :-)
Fernando,
In the above example, try this formula in C9 copied down as far as necessary.
=COUNTIF(tbl, B9) + CTRL + SHIFT + ENTER
How can we do that in Excel 2010? without VBA or PowerTools or PowerPivot etc. but only using worksheet formulas. I can do it in VBA. I am asking because it's very hard to figure out using only worksheet formulas. Thanks in advance. Since dates were not shown, I would like to record my request as made on 07MAY2023.
T S,
This article will probably show you how: Unique distinct values sorted based on frequency if you can rearrange your values to a single column.
Hi, the formula given is missing a pair of parentheses thus returning only UNIQUE values not UNIQUE and DISTINCT values.
But your explanation on calculation steps contains the correct formula.
Thank you for sharing this formula.
https://i.imgur.com/fgxAyKd.png
T S,
thank you for telling me. I hope I got it right now.
Hi, I took the liberty of editing the formula presented here into one that does not require CSE.
I did it because most beginners have trouble pressing that key combo.
My editition might affect performance but if it's a very large data set (column), I don't think much will be affected on most modern computers.
I think the basic principle is still the same as the one already shared here.
=IF(SUMPRODUCT(1*(COUNTIF(T$2:$T2, $B$3:$B$12)=0))=0,"",INDEX($B$3:$B$12,MATCH(AGGREGATE(14,6,COUNTIF($B$3:$B$12, $B$3:$B$12)*(COUNTIF(T$2:$T2, $B$3:$B$12)=0),1),INDEX(COUNTIF($B$3:$B$12, $B$3:$B$12)*(COUNTIF(T$2:$T2, $B$3:$B$12)=0),0),0)))
The above formula in question can be found here:https://imgur.com/a/76rvFqP
Comment Date:17MAY2023
The following formula is for extracting only Unique values:
=IFERROR(INDEX($B$3:$B$12,MATCH(1,INDEX(COUNTIF($B$3:$B$12,$B$3:$B$12)*(COUNTIF(Y$2:Y2,$B$3:$B$12)=0),0),0)),"")
Above formula in action can be found here:https://imgur.com/5KLglwU
Dated:17MAY2023
The following formula is for extraction of Duplicated values only.
=IFERROR(INDEX($B$3:$B$12,MATCH(AGGREGATE(14,6,COUNTIF($B$3:$B$12, $B$3:$B$12)*(COUNTIF(AE$2:AE2, $B$3:$B$12)=0),1),INDEX(COUNTIF($B$3:$B$12, $B$3:$B$12)*(COUNTIF(AE$2:AE2, $B$3:$B$12)=0),0),0),MATCH(1,INDEX((COUNTIF($B$3:$B$12, $B$3:$B$12)>1)*(COUNTIF(AE$2:AE2, $B$3:$B$12)=0),0),0)>0),"")
Above formula in action can be found here:
https://imgur.com/qCSMZhG
T S,
thank you for posting your Excel formulas.
I don't have the luxury of rearranging to a single column.
So, I modified your formula at https://www.get-digital-help.com/unique-distinct-list-sorted-based-on-occurrance-in-a-column-in-excel/ to become like https://imgur.com/jCvNhdR .
Further explanation can be found at https://stackoverflow.com/questions/76405604/excel-formula-to-extract-a-sorted-list-of-topn-unique-distinct-string-text-val/76405605#76405605 .
This reply was posted on 05JUN2023 though I finished my formula 5 days after you replied.
Thank you for sharing your answer in the first place.
Allow me to share your great website with others.
This site contains many helpful articles like a treasure chest in a dungeon!
I do appreciate your kind efforts.
Thanks again.
Tragic Shadow,
thank you.