Excel - Array Formula to skip empty cells

Question

I have an array formula to fill in the cell when it contains text but I want it to ignore the cell if its blank and go to the next one. The issue I am having is that it does

Answer 1

I think the problem is that you have the range as B4:$B$12, so because there are no $ signs around B4 that reference changes as you drag the formula down the column.......but the formula looks a little more complex than you need so I'd rather suggest a better alternative:

Which version of Excel are you using?

In Excel 2007 or later try this version

=IFERROR(INDEX(B$4:B$12,SMALL(IF(B$4:B$12<>"",ROW(B$4:B$12)-ROW(B$4)+1),ROWS(D$4:D4))),"")

Assumes your first cell is D4 (change ROWS(D$4:D4) part to match your actual start cell) and you are dragging the formula down the column

confirmed with CTRL+SHIFT+ENTER

In earlier versions where IFERROR function is not available, you can use this version

=IF(ROWS(D$4:D4)>COUNTA(B$4:B$12),"",INDEX(B$4:B$12,SMALL(IF(B$4:B$12<>"",ROW(B$4:B$12)-ROW(B$4)+1),ROWS(D$4:D4))))