Thank you very much for suggestions
Eric

"Steve Dunn" wrote:

grrr

For smaller figure that is closest:

=LARGE(INDEX((ABS($B$1:$B$5-$A$1)=
MIN(INDEX(ABS($B$1:$B$5-$A$1),)))*$B$1:$B$5,),
SUMPRODUCT(--(ABS($B$1:$B$5-$A$1)=
MIN(INDEX(ABS($B$1:$B$5-$A$1),)))))

For larger figure that is closest:

=MAX(INDEX((ABS($B$1:$B$5-$A$1)=
MIN(INDEX(ABS($B$1:$B$5-$A$1),)))*$B$1:$B$5,))

HTH
Steve D.


"Eric" wrote in message
...
Thank you very much for suggestions
What if I prefer the small number instead of large number, do you have any
suggestions on how to do it?

8, 12, 16, 18, 21
I would like to determine the value within the list, which is closest to
14,
and because 14 is between 12 and 16, then I prefer the small number, and
12
should be returned in cell A2.

Thank you very much for any suggestions
Eric


"Steve Dunn" wrote:

Scratch that, use this:

=LARGE(INDEX((ABS($B$1:$B$5-$A$1)=
MIN(INDEX(ABS($B$1:$B$5-$A$1),)))*$B$1:$B$5,),1)


"Steve Dunn" wrote in message
...
Hi Eric, this should do it:

=INDEX($B$1:$B$5,LARGE(INDEX((ABS($B$1:$B$5-$A$1)=
MIN(INDEX(ABS($B$1:$B$5-$A$1),)))*ROW($B$1:$B$5),),1))

If your list does not start in the first row, you would need to adjust
like so:

=INDEX($B$2:$B$6,LARGE(INDEX((ABS($B$2:$B$6-$A$1)=
MIN(INDEX(ABS($B$2:$B$6-$A$1),)))*ROW($B$2:$B$6)-
CELL("ROW",$B$2:$B$6)+1,),1))

HTH
Steve D.


"Eric" wrote in message
...
There is a number 14 in cell A1, and there is a list of number under
column B,
for example,
8, 11, 16, 18, 21
I would like to determine the value within the list, which is closest
to
14,
and 16 should be returned in cell A2.

8, 12, 16, 18, 21
I would like to determine the value within the list, which is closest
to
14,
and because 14 is between 12 and 16, then I prefer the larger number,
and
16
should be returned in cell A2.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to do it in Excel?
Thanks in advance for any suggestions
Eric