Inspreadsheetprograms, an array is arangeor series of related datavaluesthat are usually in adjacent cells in a worksheet.

These instructions apply to Excel 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010, and Excel for Microsoft 365.

What Are Array Formulas?

Screenshot of Excel showing a formula before becoming an array

Array formulas are similar to regular ones.

For this reason, an array formula is sometimes called aCSEformulain Excel.

Any time you edit an array formula, the curly braces disappear.

Screenshot of Excel showing how to create a simple single cell array formula

To get them back, press theCtrl,Shift, andEnterkeys again.

Hold down theCtrlandShiftkeys on the keyboard.

Press and release theEnterkey to create the array formula.

Screenshot of Excel showing how to ignore error values

If done correctly, curly braces will surround the formula.

Therefore, each one produces different results.

(TheTRANSPOSEfunction copies data from a row into a column or vice versa.)

Screenshot of Excel showing how to count cells

Here, the largest value represents the slowest time.

A screenshot of Excel’s MAX array function showing the slowest time (in seconds) among several race times.

Screenshot of Excel showing how to find the smallest number

A screenshot of Excel’s MEDIAN array formula showing the median revenue among several projects.

Screenshot of Excel showing how to make a lookup formula

Screenshot of Excel showing how to make a left lookup formula