Excel: Method to Reverse a Column of Values

ID: Q78342


The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Excel for Windows, versions 2.x, 3.0, 4.0
  • Microsoft Excel for OS/2 versions 2.2 and 3.0
  • Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh, versions 2.x, 3.0, 4.0


SUMMARY

It is possible to reverse the order of a column of values in Microsoft Excel by using the following formula:


   =INDEX(Range,ROWS(Range)-ROW(Reference)+ROW(RowReference),1) 


MORE INFORMATION

The following is a description of the arguments to the formula shown above:

  • "Range" is an absolute reference to the range to be flipped.


  • "Reference" is a relative reference to the first cell in the range to be flipped.


  • "RowReference" is an absolute reference to the first cell in the range to be flipped.


Values in a column can be flipped by using the formula


   =INDEX(Range,1,COLUMNS(Range)-COLUMN(Reference)+COLUMN(RowReference)) 


Example

  1. Enter the following values into a worksheet:

    
       A1: a     B1: =INDEX($A$1:$A$4,ROWS($A$1:$A$4)-ROW(A1)+ROW($A$1),1)
       A2: z     B2:
       A3: d     B3:
       A4: k     B4: 


  2. Select cells B1:B4. From the Edit menu, choose Fill Down from the Edit menu. The formula will fill down and the following values are displayed in cells B1:B4:

    
          B1: k
          B2: d
          B3: z
          B4: a 


Be sure that all references in the formula are entered as absolute references (with dollar signs), except the argument in the first ROW function. That argument must be entered as a relative reference to fill down properly.


REFERENCES

"Function Reference," version 4.0, pages 236, 364, 366

"Microsoft Excel Function Reference," version 3.0, pages 127, 201, 202

Additional query words: 2.0 2.00 2.01 2.1 2.10 2.2 2.20 2.21 3.0

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Last Reviewed: March 23, 1999
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