I would try this formula in cell J2 =IF(COUNTIF(H2:H12,"x") >0,"x","") and copy down until J16 where I'd change it to this if you are looking for both up and down =IF(OR(COUNTIF(H16:H26,"x") >0,COUNTIF(H5:H16,"x") >0),"x","")
my interpretation based on what you wrote going up and down 10 rows (and I'm hoping your title is ok now).