title: Find a previous date on a list closest to a specified date
body: <p>I would like to have VBA code or formula that will take a variable date value and find it on a list range of dates. If it can't find the date I want it to find the closest previous date value.  <code>VLOOKUP</code> works great for finding an exact match but I am struggling with the code to find the closest previous date.  </p>
  
  <p>My only thought is to create a loop where if it doesn't match it continues to subtract a day from the variable  date until it can locate a match on the list.  That does not seem like the best or most efficient method and I hope someone can recommend a simpler solution.  </p>
  
  <p>Example:</p>
  
  <pre><code>Variable Date = 01/26/2014
  
  Date List
  02/04/2014
  01/27/2014
  01/24/2014
  01/13/2014
  12/29/2013
  
  Desired Result = 01/24/2014
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>Any help would be appreciated.</p>