How to expand one amount in one cell into multiple lines of data

Hi, I have a report with a dollar amount of a purchase of tickets. The report only generates the name and dollar amount. I know how to get the dollar amount to show me the quantity. The next step ...

Formulas and Functions

djclements
Jan 03, 2024
TSCHEFF What version of Excel are you using? With Excel for MS365, the easiest way to repeat a value x number of times is to use the IF/SEQUENCE method. For example, if the name is in cell A2 and the number of tickets (5) is in cell C2, then the following formula would repeat the name 5 times:

=IF(SEQUENCE(C2), A2)

To return the "Ticket Qty" column, simply concatenate "Ticket " with the SEQUENCE function:

="Ticket "&SEQUENCE(C2)

The above-mentioned formulas can also be joined together using the HSTACK function to return the results in a single array:

=HSTACK(IF(SEQUENCE(C2), A2), "Ticket "&SEQUENCE(C2))

...which can be further optimized using the LET function to define a variable for SEQUENCE(C2):

=LET(seq, SEQUENCE(C2), HSTACK(IF(seq, A2), "Ticket "&seq))

Repeat with one record

Having said that, this "simple" method will only work with one record at a time. If the final report will be a list of names, purchase amounts and tickets, the REDUCE/VSTACK method can be used to spill the results for the entire list, although it's a little more complicated. For example, with a list of names/records in range A2:C4, the following formula could be used:

=LET(arr, A2:C4, DROP(REDUCE("", SEQUENCE(ROWS(arr)), LAMBDA(v,n, LET( seq, SEQUENCE(INDEX(arr, n, 3)), VSTACK(v, HSTACK(IF(seq, INDEX(arr, n, 1)), "Ticket "&seq))))), 1))

Repeat with multiple records

The REDUCE function is used to loop through each row in the range and apply the IF/SEQUENCE method one row at a time. The results of each iteration are then joined together using the VSTACK function. Note: you may notice performance issues with larger data sets (ie: 10,000+ records).

On a side note, this reminds me of Wyn Hopkins' Power Query Challenge - Ticket List presented a year or so ago. It's possible you may find a suitable PQ solution by viewing his video on YouTube: Convert Range of Values to a List - Power Query Challenge

Cheers!

TSCHEFF

Copper Contributor

Jan 02, 2024

We are selling raffle tickets at an event, but rather than giving out physical tickets we'll be entering names of individuals into a virtual spin the wheel. If someone buys 5 tickets I need their name to populate 5 times to ensure they have 5 entries for the drawing. The report from our system doesn't give me their name 5 times, just the dollar amount for the total purchase. I know the formula to get the purchase price to equal the ticket quantity, but I don't know how to get the ticket purchaser name to populate for each ticket.
I don't need this spreadsheet to live on after our event so empty cells are ok. We'll end up doing a copy and paste of the purchaser name to enter into the spin the wheel site.
Does this explanation help to better explain my need?

OliverScheurich

Gold Contributor

Jan 02, 2024

TSCHEFF

Sub raffle()

Dim i, j, k, l As Long

Range("E2:I1048576").Clear

l = Range("A" & Rows.Count).End(xlUp).Row
k = 2
For i = 2 To l

For j = 1 To Cells(i, 3).Value

If j = 1 Then
Cells(k, 5).Value = Cells(i, 1).Value
Cells(k, 6).Value = Cells(i, 2).Value
Cells(k, 7).Value = Cells(i, 3).Value
Cells(k, 8).Value = Cells(i, 1).Value
Cells(k, 9).Value = "Ticket " & j

k = k + 1

Else

Cells(k, 8).Value = Cells(i, 1).Value
Cells(k, 9).Value = "Ticket " & j
k = k + 1
End If

Next j

Next i

End Sub

Alternatively you can enter the data in columns A to C in the attached file and then run the macro by clicking the button in cell J2. The result is returned in columns E to I.

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How to expand one amount in one cell into multiple lines of data

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