Three columns of data, keep only latest dated row

[carrija]

I've looked on the forum to see if I could find a solution. Sorry if it's already been asked as I could only find answers for two columns using =max

I have a worksheet with:
col 1, col2, col3
Name, Class, Class Date

I want to keep rows that have the same Name, and Class Fields but only keep the newest date. a pivot table isn't really acceptable for this.

here's an example:

joe, class 1, 01/01/11
joe, class 2, 01/02/11
joe, class 1, 02/01/11

and extract so that only the newest date apears
joe, class 2, 01/02/11
joe, class 1, 02/01/11

Thanks,
-j

[NBVC]

In a new column add a helper formula, for example,

Assuming your data is in A2:C20, then in D2 enter formula:

=IF(OR(A2="",C2=MAX(IF($A$2:$A$20=A2,IF($B$2:$B$20=B2,$C$2:$C$20)))),"","x")

and confirm it with CTRL+SHIFT+ENTER not just ENTER so that { } brackets appear around it.

Then copy it down.

All the rows marked with and "x" should be the ones to delete.

Now, assuming you have headers in row 1, while you have any occupied cell in the range active, go to Data and click the Filter funnel.

Select the "x" from the drop down arrow at the top of column D and delete these rows..

Click the filter funnel again to remove filtering...

[carrija]

Great.. that worked perfectly.. exactly what I was looking for..