•
CHOOSECOLS selects relevant columns from the filtered data
• GROUPBY aggregates units and revenue by salesperson
• -3 sorts by the
third column (revenue) in descending order
• TAKE returns the top result
• IFERROR handles empty
results
This gives you the top performer instantly.
Why This Approach Works So Well
These four core functions work together:
• UNIQUE builds dynamic
lists
• SORT keeps them user-friendly
• FILTER returns only relevant data
• GROUPBY summarises it
Once set up, the report becomes fully automated.
Add new data, and everything updates.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. The #SPILL! Error
This happens when something blocks a formula's
output range – take the screenshot below where the 'x' is inside the spill range.
Fix it
by clearing the cells in the spill area.
2. Using Tables for Spill Outputs
Dynamic array formulas do not work inside formatted Excel Tables.
Keep your results outside
tables.
3. Using an Older Excel Version
These functions require modern Excel:
• FILTER: Excel 365 or 2021+
• GROUPBY, TAKE, CHOOSECOLS: Excel 365 or
2024+
If you do not see them in the IntelliSense when you type =FunctionName, your version does not support them.
Take It Further
This report is just one example of what Excel can automate.
Many repetitive tasks can be replaced with dynamic formulas like these.
If you want to build stronger Excel skills and learn techniques like this step by step, my Excel Expert course is designed to help you do exactly that.
Final Thoughts
Once you build a report like this, it changes how you use Excel.
Instead of rebuilding reports, you create systems that run themselves.
And once you start using dynamic arrays properly, going back to manual methods feels slow and unnecessary.
If you want to keep improving, the next step is learning more automation techniques you can apply every day.
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