How do I populate a cell with the last date the name was entered in Numbers app?

Question

Level 1

8 points

How do I populate a cell with the last date the name was entered in Numbers app?

Hi, I am looking to find a way to populate a cell with the last date the name was entered. This is what I have tried so far:

The error message says argument 2 is incorrect.

And this is what I am trying to get the formula to populate in the output table:

The output table should read the most recent date where the associated "Name" (letters D-G) is input. You can see that "D" is entered twice, but only the second date shows. "E" & "G" should populate the only date that is in the input table and "F" should display as a "-" symbol as it is not in the input table at all.

Sorry for the brief explanation, I'm not sure how to describe it well but feel free to ask clarifying questions.

Thank you in advance!

[Edited by Moderator]

Original Title: Apple Numbers Formula Help – Populate the Last Date

Posted on Aug 5, 2025 11:29 PM

Reply

Answer 1

SGIII

Level 8

37,532 points

Aug 6, 2025 6:03 AM in response to emmarrhh21

There may be a more compact way using the new dynamic array "spill" functions added to the latest version of Numbers, but here is an approach using helper columns.

The formula in I2 of the Input table filled right and down:

=XLOOKUP(I$1,$B2:$H2,$B$1:$H$1,"-",0,-1)

The formula in B2 of the Output table, filled down:

=MAX(OFFSET(Input::$A,0,XMATCH(A2,Input::$1:$1)))

Then apply a Custom Format to column B of the Output table if you want 0 to appear as -.