Reversing Integer Values

Katy has a worksheet that, in some columns, contains integer data values ranging from 1 through 5. (In those particular columns, these are the only values in the column.) She would like to "reverse" these data values, such that 5 becomes 1, 4 becomes 2, 3 stays the same, 2 becomes 4, and 1 becomes 5. She only wants this to happen in certain columns, and she is stuck trying to figure out how to accomplish the task.

There are actually several different ways you can accomplish this task. The first is to use a simple formula to do the reversal. Assume, for instance, that the values you want to reverse are in column A, starting in row 2. The following formula will work:

=6-A2

Copy the formula down as far as you need, and the result is reversed values. You can then copy the values and paste them wherever you want using Paste Special. (You use Paste Special so you can copy just the values, not the formulas that create the values.)

This isn't the only formula you could use, however. You could use the CHOOSE function in this manner:

=CHOOSE(A2,5,4,3,2,1)

Another approach is to set up the numbers 1-5 in a difference set of cells (let's say you put those values in cells T1:T5) and then use the RANK function, in this manner:

=RANK(A2,T1:T5,0)
=RANK.EQ(A2,T1:T5,0)

Both return the desired reversal, but the second example (RANK.EQ) should be used in Excel 2010 and later versions because the RANK function was deprecated after Excel 2007.

You could also reverse the values in place by using a macro to do the task. Here's a simple one that will do the job:

Sub ReverseNumbers()
  Dim rCell As Range
  For Each rCell In Selection
    With rCell
      If IsNumeric(.Value) Then
        .Value = 6 - .Value
      End If
    End With
  Next
End Sub

To use the macro, select the cells you want to reverse and then run it. It first checks to make sure that the cell contains a numeric value; if so, it subtracts the value in the cell from 6, effectively reversing the value.

ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (13140) applies to Microsoft Excel 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and Excel in Microsoft 365.