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Dynamic array function

DROP

Returns an array with the first or last rows or columns removed.

OccasionalDifficulty 1350 · AdvancedUsage rank #109 of 520
Practice · 3 questions →

When to use it

Everything except the first or last N rows (and columns). The natural way to strip a header or a totals row.

The shape of it

Syntax
=DROP(array, rows, [columns])

Worked examples

  • Remove a header

    =DROP(A1:C6,1) → the table without its header

    Drops the first row.

  • Remove the last column

    =DROP(A2:C6,0,-1) → Product and Price columns

    Drops the last column.

  • Remove trailing rows

    =DROP(A2:C6,-2) → first three rows

    Drops the last two rows.

Worth knowing

  • Skip a totals row before summing: SUM(DROP(range,-1)).
  • DROP(x,1) then TAKE for a window in the middle.
  • Pair with VSTACK to rebuild tables with new headers.

Where it goes wrong

  • #CALC! when everything is dropped.
  • Requires Microsoft 365.

Related

FILTERSORTUNIQUESEQUENCESORTBYVSTACK

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